DBI - Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg

Associated Institute of TU Bergakademie Freiberg

Marcus Friedel

9th International Freiberg Conference

Berlin, 06 June 2018

Direct synthesis of dimethyl ether (DME) from renewable resources

COMPANY LOCATIONS OF DBI - GROUP

9th International Freiberg Conference 206 June 2018

LEIPZIG

DBI Gas- und Umwelttechnik GmbH

Karl-Heine-Straße 109/111

D-04229 Leipzig

FREIBERG

DBI - Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg

(100 % Affiliate of GUT)

Halsbrücker Straße 34

D-09599 Freiberg

Freiberg

Leipzig

ENERGY WITH FUTURE.

ENVIRONMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY.

Gas Production/

Gas Storage

Gas Grids/

Gas Facilities

Gas Utilization

Thermo Processing

Technology

Gas Chemistry/

Gas Treatment

DVGW-

Testing Center

Energy

DVGW-

Training Center

Gas

Energy Supply

Systems/

Renewable Energy

Gas Processing

Technology

DME-dimethyl ether

colorless and odorless gas

non-toxic

highly flammable

Decentralized production of DME

Sustainable DME production:

Feed: biogas and hydrogen (optional)

High economic efficiency due to high utilization

Contribution to the stabilization of the electricity

grid (using of surplus electricity)

Sector coupling (renewable energy usable for

e.g. chemical sector, transport sector etc.)

PROJECT DME REGENERATIV

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molkJHOHCHHCO R /912 0

32

molkJHOHOCHCHOHCH R /242 0

2333

T = 250 °C , p = 50bar

current applications of DME (examples):

Raw Material for chemical industry

Propellant in spray cans

Fuel (admixture to LPG up to 20 Vol.%, China)

Chances and potential of green DME as a fuel

Great combustion properties (no soot / low NOx)

CO2-Footprint

DME for LPG

Properties similar to LPG (energy density / vapor pressure 5,3 bar)

sustainable alternative for LPG (compare to E10, Biodiesel)

DME for Diesel

high Cetane number (55 to 60)

especially for heavy transport sector

DME APPLICATIONS AND PROSPECTS OF GREEN DME

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Germany: 9300 Biogas plants installed approx. 300 PJ

DME-production with the project concept• Simulated with CHEMCAD

• 5500 h/p.a. (only with Biogas)• 2500 h/p.a. (Biogas + H2)• ηth = 80 %

20 % of the total production

DME 1,7 Mio. tons / 48,3 PJ

LPG-Consumption Germany in 2016 * • Fuel (Industry and household) = 31,8 PJ• Propellant gas = 0,052 Mio. tons

* DVFG (german LPG association) Annual report 2016

PROJECT SCHEDULE

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Reactor development

Basic evaluation

Process research

Thermodynamic calculations

Experimental investigations

Catalyst screening (commercial catalysts)

Kinetic studies

Model development

Reactor modeling

Steady state

Dynamic

- (modal change: Biogas Biogas+ H2 )

Construction and test of small-scale pilot plant

2015

2017

PROJECT SCHEDULE

9th International Freiberg Conference 706 June 2018

Focus on Reactor development

Basic evaluation

Process research

Thermodynamic calculations

Experimental investigations

Catalyst screening (commercial catalysts)

Kinetic studies

Model development

Reactor modeling

Steady state

Dynamic

- (cycle changing: Biogas Biogas+ H2 )

Construction and test of a small-scale pilot plant

2015

2017

process conditions

T = 220 up to 280 °C

p = 50 bar

Simulated DME-yield in equilibrium; Feed: CO/H2=1 [mol/mol]

PROJECT SCHEDULE

9th International Freiberg Conference 806 June 2018

Focus on Reactor development

Basic evaluation

Process research

Thermodynamic calculations

Experimental investigations

Catalyst screening (commercial catalysts)

Kinetic studies

Model development

Reactor modeling

Steady state

Dynamic

- (cycle changing: Biogas Biogas+ H2 )

Construction and test of a small-scale pilot plant

2015

2017

PROJECT SCHEDULE

9th International Freiberg Conference 906 June 2018

Focus on Reactor development

Basic evaluation

Process research

Thermodynamic calculations

Experimental investigations

Catalyst screening (commercial catalysts)

Kinetic studies

Model development

Reactor modeling

Steady state

Dynamic

- (cycle changing: Biogas Biogas+ H2 )

Construction and test of a small-scale pilot plant

2015

2017 Simulated temperature profile (°C) inside the DME-reactor tube (p=50 bar, TInlet= 230 °C, H2/CO = 1 (l.) and H2/CO = 2 (r.))

Biogas mode CO/H2 = 1 [mol/mol]

Biogas mode + H2 (surplus electricity) CO/H2 = 2 [mol/mol]

Design features:

pmax = 65 bar

Tmax = 350 °C

approx.1 liter of catalyst

oil cooled fixed bed reactor

Inner diameter: 20 mm

Total length: 2,80 m

well scalable (tube bundle reactor)

SMALL-SCALE PILOT PLANT FOR DME-PRODUCTION

9th International Freiberg Conference 1006 June 2018

Small-scale pilot plant for the production of DME from biogas DBI - Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg

DME-production approx. 5 kg/day (without recycle)

Commissioning successful

Highlights

High efficiency (DME-yield close to

equilibrium)

Additional H2 leads to an increase of DME-

production

quick switching possible

Biogas Biogas + H2 (< 2 minutes)

Stable process over the whole operation time

TEST RESULTS

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Measured and thermodynamically calculated DME selectivity and CO conversion depending on various H2 / CO ratios (50 bar)

Dynamic production of DME from Biogas and optional H2 possible

Production of synthesis gas by dry reforming

Mix of commercial catalysts used

Design and construction small-scale pilot plant

Successful commissioning

Stable process

High efficiency

Outlook

Demonstration plant using biogas and additional hydrogen

DME-production rate 40 tons /p.a.

Installation at a real biogas plant

Integrated in a container

Including all modules (feed treatment, reformer, DME-reactor, product purification)

CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!

Your contact partner DBI - Gastechnologisches Institut gGmbH Freiberg

Halsbrücker Straße 34

D-09599 Freiberg, Germany

phone: (+49) 3731 4195-

fax: (+49) 3731 4195-319

e-Mail:

web: www.dbi-gruppe.de

Marcus Friedel

Project Manager 351

Marcus.Friedel@dbi-gruppe.de