The direct, one-step process for synthesis of dimethyl ether from syngas. III. DME as a chemical feedstock

In Parts I & II of this Series, we illustrated the process research studies on a new, trendsetting indirect syngas conversion process, the direct, one-step LPDMEtm process, which is now a shining example of dual catalysis or cooperative/adaptive catalysis and also of thermodynamic/kinetic coupling in series-parallel reactions.In this part III, we take a look at several processes on the research and pilot scale that employ methanol and DME as chemical feedstocks for further conversion to value-added chemicals. A most rational and cogent argument for the use of DME as a feedstock is that the unit production cost of DME from the direct, one-step DME processes, most notably the LPDMEtm process, can be lower than methanol (from LPMeOHtm), on a methanol-equivalent basis. DME also has inherently more benign physical and chemical properties, contains 1 less mole of water, and results in a substantially similar product distribution, as methanol, for the methanol-to-gasoline (MTG) and methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process. DME can also be converted to several other important chemicals; some of these include dimethoxymethane, dimethoxyethane, methylal, formaldehyde, acetic acid, methyl acetate, and polyoxymethylene ethers. In this report, we offer a critical assessment of the current status of these processes and a projected path to commercialization. Considering the trendsetting and impactful nature of DME as a chemical entity and as a chemical feedstock, along with its free cost, we are of the opinion that the future of DME, and of its chemical conversions, as so-called DME economy, is very bright.