2020 REFINING PROCESSES HANDBOOK PROCESS CATEGORIES COMPANY INDEX ETHERS Fuel DME Process Application: The thyssenkrupp Fuel DME process catalytically dehydrates methanol to produce dimethyl ether (DME) in fuel-grade quality. DME Vaporizer reactor DME column Methanol column DME absorber Offgas Steam Description: Methanol is vaporized, superheated and then fed to a fixed-bed reactor where dehydration occurs exothermally to form DME and water. The reactor inlet temperature is typically between 260°C-280°C. The reactor effluent is partially condensed and passed to the DME column. Fuel DME is withdrawn from the column top. Non-condensable compounds are removed from the overhead product and then routed to an absorber for DME recovery. Excess methanol contained in the bottom product is recovered in the methanol column and returned to the synthesis section. Product Utilization: Fuel-grade DME is used as clean fuel in diesel engines and as a substitute for petroleum-based liquid gas. Yields: The per-pass conversion of methanol exceeds 80%. By recycling unconverted methanol from the distillation section, an overall methanol conversion of approximately 99.9% is achieved. Utilities: (Per metric ton of DME) Electricity 5 kWh LP steam 300 kg MP steam 700 kg Cooling water 60 m³ Installations: Five plants for DME production have been installed (including Aerosol DME). Waste water DME product Website: www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com Contacts: sandra.jensen@thyssenkrupp.com, dorothe.weimer@thyssenkrupp.com Licensor: thyssenkrupp. The former proprietor of this process was ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH. Copyright © 2020 Gulf Energy Information. All rights reserved.http://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/ http://www.thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com