DME (Dimethyl Ether)
DME (Dimethyl Ether) is cheaper than petrol in some regions because it can be made from a variety of feedstocks, including natural gas and biomass, which are often cheaper and more abundant than crude oil. Additionally, DME production requires less energy compared to petrochemical refining and processing, which can help to further decrease the cost of production. DME also has lower infrastructure and engine modification costs as it can be transported in the same tanks used for propane and can be used with some modifications to conventional diesel engines. This can also make it a more attractive fuel option in some regions due to the lower cost of conversion to DME. However, it is important to note that the cost of DME can vary depending on factors such as supply and demand, production and distribution costs, and government subsidies or taxes.
Dimethyl ether (DME) is a synthetically produced alternative to diesel for use in specially designed compression ignition diesel engines. Under normal atmospheric conditions, DME is a colorless gas. It is used extensively in the chemical industry and as an aerosol propellant. Dimethyl ether requires about 75 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure to be in liquid form. Because of this, DME's handling requirements are similar to those of propane—both must be kept in pressurized storage tanks at an ambient temperature.
The use of DME in vehicles requires a compression ignition engine with a fuel system specifically developed to operate on DME. A number of DME vehicle demonstrations have been held in Europe and North America, including one in which a customer operated 10 vehicles for 750,000 miles.
Study of domestic coal-based dimethyl ether (DME) utilization to reduce LPG import