Use of DME as a Gas Turbine Fuel

Abstract

A new, ultra-clean fuel for gas turbines — a blend consisting primarily of dimethyl ether (DME) with lesser amounts of methanol and water — has been identified by BP. This fuel, containing no metals, sulfur or aromatics, burns like natural gas and it can be handled like LPG. The turbine-grade DME fuel can be manufactured from natural gas, coal and other hydrocarbon or biomass feedstocks. High-purity DME, manufactured from methanol, is currently used as an aerosol propellant due to its environmentally benign characteristics. Fuel-grade DME is used commercially as a LPG-substitute in China. BP initiated key programs to test various fuel mixtures containing DME in General Electric test combustors with equivalent electricity production of nearly 16 MW. Later, BP collaborated with EPDC (Electric Power Development Corporation, Japan) to conduct additional follow-up tests. These tests show that DME is an excellent gas turbine fuel with emissions properties comparable to natural gas. BP is currently working with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum to evaluate the potential of DME as a multi-purpose fuel for India. In June 2000, the India Ministry of Power issued a notification permitting the use of DME as a fuel for power generation subject to its meeting all the environmental and pollution regulations. This paper presents key gas turbine combustor test results and discusses how DME can be used as a fuel in gas turbines.

Toward zero emissions from coal in China

“…DME for central-station power generation. Use of DME in modern gas-turbine combined cycles for central-station power generation is proven technology, for which emissions are as low as for natural gas combined cycles [Basu et al, 2001].…”

Ignition Delay Characteristics and Kinetic Investigation of Dimethyl Ether/n-Pentane Binary Mixtures: Interpreting the Effect of the Equivalence Ratio and Dimethyl Ether Blending

“…Research has shown that, in a natural gas/DME dual-fuel compression-ignition (CI) engine, DME addition can extend the engine load range and improve thermal efficiency . In addition, previous studies also confirmed that, for the homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines, increasing DME proportions to control the ignition timing is feasible. − Studies were conducted to investigate the performances of DME fueling in gas turbines. − It is found that DME is a clean and efficient gas turbine fuel, and firing DME leads to lower exhaust temperature and less NO x and CO relative to methane but results in an increased fuel nozzle temperature. Thus, in consideration of the reliability of the DME-enriched gas turbine, it is necessary to remold the fuel nozzle.…”

Use of alternative fuels obtained from renewable sources in Brayton cycles

“…Gas turbine power generation is being pushed to the utilisation of alternative fuels that can be used with reliability and efficiency (Basu et al, 2001;Gökalp and Lebas, 2004;Gadde et al, 2006;Shortt, 2005;Nieto et al, 2011). Different reasons arise behind this new tendency, e.g.…”