Single-step syngas-to-dimethyl ether processes for optimal productivity, minimal emissions, and natural gas-derived syngas

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.