DIMETHYL ETHER- AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL

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WELCOME
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DIMETHYL ETHER- AN ALTERNATIVE FUEL
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INTRODUCTION

• World present oil resources may be wiped out in
  42 years
• Need for clean and pollution free environment.
• Diesel engine operated on DME fuel has low
  combustion noise and low emission.
• Fuel is economical and has many utilities.
• Variety of choices for raw material sources

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MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF DME
Manufactured presently in two methods
1.Catalytic dehydration of methanol to DME
2CH3OH CH3OCH3H2O
2.Direct synthesis of DME
3CO 3H2 CH3OCH3CO2
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PROCESS FLOW OF LARGE SCALE BENCH PLANT
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CHARACTERISTICS OF DME AS A FUEL

• Gas at ambient temperature and atmospheric
  pressure.
• Colourless clear liquid under six atmospheres.
• Can be transported and stored as a liquid at low
  temperatures.
• No sulphur or nitrogen compounds and low
  toxicity.
• No corrosive effect on metals.
• Oxygenated fuel.
• Combustion is not accompanied by black smoke or
  soot.

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PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF DME AND DIESEL

• COMPARISION CHART

PROPERTY DME DIESEL
Chemical Formula Boiling Point(0c) Liquid Density(gram/Cm3) Liquid Viscosity (Cp) Ignition Temperature(0c) Cetane Number Latent Heat Of Evaporation (KJ/Kg) Low Heating Value (MJ/Kg) Wt Of Oxygen CH3-O-CH3 -24.9 0.668 0.15 235 55-60 460 28.43 34.8 C3H7 180-360 0.84 4.4-5.5 250 40-55 290 42.5 0
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• Combustion characteristics were compared with
  those of diesel engine.
• A DME powered van was developed and its trial
  operation was carried out on highway.
• Diagram of fuel supply system of DME engine.

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PERFORMANCE AND COMBUSTION CHARACTERSTICS OF DME
POWERED VEHICLE

• Study was conducted on diesel engine using DME as
  fuel.
• Following parameters were optimised.
• Plunger diameter.
• Fuel delivery advance angle.
• Distance of nozzle tip into cylinder.

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OPTIMIZATION OF PARAMETERS OF COMBUSTION

• Fuel delivery advanced angle optimal timing is
  190 CA BTDC at rated operation conditions and 150
  CA BTDC at low speed
• Thermal efficiency maximum at an injection
  pressure of 15MPa

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INJECTION PRESSURE OPTIMUM PRESSURE IS 15 MPA
FOR DME
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COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS

• Figure below shows indicator diagram and rate of
  pressure rise of DME and diesel engine.

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THE COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF DME AND DIESEL
FUEL ARE SHOWN IN FIG BELOW
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OPERATIONAL RESULTS OF DME POWER VEHICLE

• Noise is equivalent to gasoline vehicle below 90
  km and smoke free combustion is realized.
• Maximum speed and accelerating performance are
  equivalent to that of diesel operation.
• No apparent wear was observed by adding some
  lubricant.
• Larger amount of mechanical work and smaller
  amount of wasted internal energy.

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DME UTILISATION TECHNOLOGY
The combustion of DME with municipal gas 13A was
done and good combustion was observed.
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2.Used as a diesel fuel alternative

1. Ideal for use in diesel engines due to same or
   higher cetane value.
2. Modifications to fuel supply system only is
   needed.
3. Low soot emissions and greatly reduced NOx
   emission
4. Thermal efficiency is similar to that of diesel.
5. Reduced noise levels.

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APPLICATIONS

• Used as an aerosol propellant.
• Propellant for cosmetic and coating material.
• Can be used as fuel for power generation.
• Raw material for chemical processes.

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DISADVANTAGES OF DME FUEL

1. Poor Lubrication And Viscosity
2. Low Heating Value
3. No Infrastructure Of Fueling System Of DME
4. High Vapour Pressure
5. Low Boiling Point

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CONCLUSION

1. Excellent And Environmental Friendly Alternative
   Fuel For Diesel Engine
2. Cost of the fuel is much lower than diesel fuel
   on an equal basis.
3. Relative high cetane number and low soot
   emissions offset the disadvantages of the fuel
   for the use in CI engines.
4. It is hoped that the use of DME vehicles will
   become widespread in the near future.

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THANK YOU