Simulation Production of Dimethylether (DME) from Dehydration of Methanol Using Aspen Hysys
Ezeddin H. Alshbuki, Mufida M. Bey, Abduraouf ALamer Mohamed
Abstract
Dimethyl ether (DME) is used primarily as a propellant and a motor fuel alternative, (DME) is miscible with most organic solvents and has a high solubility in water. Recently, the use of (DME) as a fuel additive for diesel engines has been investigated due to its high volatility (desired for cold starting) and high cetane number of 55-60, with the advantage of high efficiency, and low exhaust emissions (no particulates, no Sulphur, and low NOx). Technical-quality (DME) is an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The production processes included catalytic dehydration of methanol in an adiabatic fixed-bed reactor and two columns product separations. In this study, the technological process for (DME) synthesis is simulated in Aspen Hysys V3.1 based on the combined parameters of the reaction dynamic model for methanol dehydration reaction, the improved NRTL model of the liquid phase, the PR model of vapor phase was selected as the fluid package as it is able to handle selected pure components (methanol, water and dimethyl ether). The equilibrium reaction was selected to describe conversion of methanol to DME reaction and it is about 80%. A feasibility study and design of a plant producing 99.9 wt% Dimethyl ether (DME). The plant is designed which is capable of producing 50,000 metric tons of (DME) per year via the catalytic dehydration of methanol over an acid zeolite catalyst.