Design and simulation of a plant producing dimethyl ether (DME) from methanol by using simulation software ASPEN PLUS

B. Sumalatha, A. Venkata Naray

Abstract

DME is used primarily as a propellant and a motor fuel alternative, DME is miscible with most organic solvents and has a high solubility in water. Recently, the use of DME as a fuel additive for diesel engines has been investigated due to its high volatility (desired for cold starting) and high cetane number. A feasibility study and design of a plant producing 99.9 wt% Dimethyl ether (DME) is to be performed by using simulation software Aspen Plus. The plant is designed which is capable of producing 80,000 metric tons of DME per year via the catalytic dehydration of methanol over an acid zeolite catalyst. The goal is to check the feasibility of plant by used equipment that produces DME.