Mathematical Modeling of Sorption Enhanced Direct DME Synthesis Assisted by Fluidization Concept

Dimethyl ether (DME) can be produced from natural gas through synthesis gas, directly, and introduced as a clean and economical alternative fuel. In the present study, a mathematical model of the fluidized bed reactor for DME synthesis with in-situ water adsorption is investigated, theoretically. The two-phase theory of bubbling regime is applied to model the fluidization concept. The density difference between binary adsorbent and catalyst particles separate them. The heavy catalyst particles tend to sink and the light adsorbent particles tend to rise. During the direct DME synthesis process, the motivation for in situ water removal by using adsorbent particles (Zeolite 4A) is to displace the methanol dehydration equilibrium to boost DME productivity. Simulation results prove that selective water adsorption from direct DME synthesis in Sorption Enhanced Fluidized Bed Reactor (SE-FBR) leads to a considerable intensification of DME production compared to zero solid mass ratio condition as well as conventional reactor.