Dimethyl ether production from methanol and/or syngas

US8957259B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Battelle Memorial Institute · CH

Inventors

• Robert A. Dagle · Richland, US
• Yong Wang · Richland, US
• Eddie G. Baker · Pasco, US
• Jianli Hu · Morgantown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 30, 2005
• Grant date: Feb 17, 2015
• Expiry date: Sep 30, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C41/01
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed are methods for producing dimethyl ether (DME) from methanol and for producing DME directly from syngas, such as syngas from biomass. Also disclosed are apparatus for DME production. The disclosed processes generally function at higher temperatures with lower contact times and at lower pressures than conventional processes so as to produce higher DME yields than do conventional processes. Certain embodiments of the processes are carried out in reactors providing greater surface to volume ratios than the presently used DME reactors. Certain embodiments of the processes are carried out in systems comprising multiple microchannel reactors.