Process schemes for single-step syngas-to-dimethyl ether (DME) were developed in two stages:
(1) the performance of the syngas-to-DME reactor was optimized with respect to the feed gas
composition and (2) the optimal reactor feed gas system was integrated with synthesis gas
generators. It was shown that the reactor performance is very sensitive to the H2:CO ratio in
the feed gas. The optimal DME productivity and best material utilization were obtained with a
feed gas containing 50% hydrogen and 50% carbon monoxide. In the second phase the syngas
generation units considered were CO2−methane reformer, steam−methane reformer, methane
partial oxidation, and coal gasifier. The integration adjusts the H2:CO ratio in natural gas-derived syngas to fit the optimal DME reactor operation and minimizes CO2 emissions and
material loss. The technical feasibility of these schemes was demonstrated by simulations using
realistic reactor models, kinetics, and thermodynamics under commercially relevant conditions.
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