Renewable dimethyl ether rDME
Dimethyl ether (DME) might also be referred to as methoxymethane, it is an organic compound, the simplest ether, an isomer of ethanol (CH3OCH3 or C2H6O) and a colourless gas. Renewable dimethyl ether or rDME is specifically produced from synthesis gas (syngas) which can originate from waste materials such as biomass through anaerobic digestion and might also be referred to as bioDME. Standard DME is produced from synthesis gas (syngas) which originates from different non-renewable sources such as coal and natural gas.
Dimethyl ether (DME) was first synthesised by Jean-Baptiste Dumas and Eugene Péligot in 1835 by distillation of methanol and sulfuric acid. The renewable alternative rDME is said to have been first produced on a commercial scale in the US in around 2020. It can produced from a wide range of renewable or waste feedstocks with a lower greenhouse gas footprint, reducing emissions by up to 85% compared to fossil fuels. It is also a useful precursor to other organic compounds and can be used as an aerosol propellant.
In 2022 the Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals discussed present and future products in the LPG industry including other molecule mixes such as DME. The note reads "Several years ago, the LPG industry introduced bioLPG i.e.LPG (C3/C4) of identical molecular composition, but of bio/renewable origin. However, the existing definition ofLPG in ADR, described as a “petroleum” product, does not reflect any more either the renewable origin of bioLPG, or the conventional LPG of natural gas origin. In addition, other molecules, blended with LPG, like dimethyl ether (DME), particularly that of renewable origin(rDME), are already present in the US market and are expected in Europe very soon. A revised definition of LPG needs to be defined and agreed."
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Anaerobic digestion.
- Biogas
- Biomass.
- Combined heat and power.
- Conventional liquid biofuel.
- Feed in tariff.
- Gas Goes Green.
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- Mains gas.
- Natural gas.
- Oil - a global perspective.
- Peak oil.
- Renewable energy.
- Renewable heat incentive.
- Shale gas.
- Types of biogas system.
- Types of fuel.
- Water vapour.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
HBPT and BEAMS Jubilees. Book review.
Does the first Labour budget deliver for the built environment?
What does the UK Budget mean for electrical contractors?
Mixed response as business pays, are there silver linings?
A brownfield housing boost for Liverpool
A 56 million investment from Homes England now approved.
Fostering a future-ready workforce through collaboration
Collaborative Futures: Competence, Capability and Capacity, published and available for download.
Considerate Constructors Scheme acquires Building A Safer Future
Acquisition defines a new era for safety in construction.
AT Awards evening 2024; the winners and finalists
Recognising professionals with outstanding achievements.
Reactions to the Autumn Budget announcement
And key elements of the quoted budget to rebuild Britain.
Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers Budget
Repairing, fixing, rebuilding, protecting and strengthening.
Expectation management in building design
Interest, management, occupant satisfaction and the performance gap.
Connecting conservation research and practice with IHBC
State of the art heritage research & practice and guidance.
Innovative Silica Safety Toolkit
Receives funding boost in memory of construction visionary.
Gentle density and the current context of planning changes
How should designers deliver it now as it appears in NPPF.
Sustainable Futures. Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living
More speakers confirmed for BSRIA Briefing 2024.
Making the most of urban land: Brownfield Passports
Policy paper in brief with industry responses welcomed.
The boundaries and networks of the Magonsæte.