Gas Phase DME Manufacture Technology

Ningbo Far East Chemical Technology Company Ltd. says it has
successfully developed a new technology of gas phase methanol
dehydration to make dimethyl ether (DME), which can reach a
production capacity of 100 thousand t/a. The inventor is
applying for a national patent because of its innovative cool
tuber type reactor.
   The technology of methanol dehydration in gas phase is the
common method that is used for the commercial manufacture of DME
worldwide, using crystallized aluminum silicate as catalyst. So
the reactor is the core of this technology. Existing reactors
currently have problems of high temperature in the catalyst
layer, short lifespan of the catalyst, low synthetic efficiency
and a high proportion of byproducts. The cool tuber type reactor
developed by Ningbo Far East can solve those problems.
   At the same time, Ningbo Far East has modified the common
catalyst by adding sulfates. The modified catalyst features a
moderate acid rate, and can help the fielding rate to exceed 85%
even at a low temperature - and avoid carbon deposition at high
temperature. The filler and liquid distributor used in the DME
distilling column developed by Ningbo Far East can improve mass
and heat transfer efficiencies. Innovation in both the reactor
and the catalyst helps the company reduce consumption
significantly.
   Due to the severe shortage of energy in China, many companies
are investing in DME manufacturing projects in order to
substitute oil products. Ningbo Far East plans to share in the
new market.