Paper ID No.: 20100962 Dimethyl ether (DME) as fuel for automotive diesel engines

To overcome the issues of dwindling conventional fuel resources and environmental concern, many kinds of alternative fuels have been investigated. Dimethyl ether (DME) is found to be one of the most promising alternative fuels for diesel engine. It shows potential both in terms of economic feasibility and pollutant emissions reduction. In this paper, the literature survey of dimethyl ether covering its various aspects of economics, engine/vehicle modifications and engine performance and emissions are reported. DME fueled diesel engine has the advantage of low NOx emissions and very low PM emissions. The results of various engine studies on both neat dimethyl ether and its blends, with some modification in the fuel supply and injection systems, are promising. However, the issues of wear of fuel injection system components and non-compatibility of elastomers with the use of dimethyl ether need to be overcome. Recent developments in more economical processes of DME production and price forecast based on these processes show that dimethyl ether could be mass-produced at a cost comparable to conventional automotive fuels. dimethyl ether has similar physical properties as those of LPG, which means the existing LPG infrastructure for transportation, storage and distribution could be utilize for dimethyl ether with minor modifications. Easy transportation would also mean that stranded natural gas reserves could be economically utilized by converting and transporting them as dimethyl ether. Therefore, dimethyl ether has a great scope for its application as alternative diesel fuel.

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