Xd. Peng et al., Single-step syngas-to-dimethyl ether processes for optimal productivity, minimal emissions, and natural gas-derived syngas, IND ENG RES, 38(11), 1999, pp. 4381-4388
Process schemes for single-step syngas-to-dimethyl ether (DME) were develop
ed in two stages: (1) the performance of the syngas-to-DME reactor was opti
mized 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 H-2:CO ratio in the f
eed gas. The optimal DME productivity and best material utilization were ob
tained with a feed gas containing 50% hydrogen and 50% carbon monoxide. In
the second phase the syngas generation units considered were CO2-methane re
former, steam-methane reformer, methane partial oxidation, and coal gasifie
r. The integration adjusts the H-2:CO ratio in natural gas-derived syngas t
o fit the optimal DME reactor operation and minimizes CO2 emissions and mat
erial loss. The technical feasibility of these schemes was demonstrated by
simulations using realistic reactor models, kinetics, and thermodynamics un
der commercially relevant conditions.