دي متيل اتر: سوخت سبز تجديدپذير

Dimethyl ether: A green, renewable fuel

The increased level of atmospheric carbon dioxide due to the ever-increasing use of fossil fuels in the energy sector and the resulting greenhouse effect simulated extensive research efforts to find alternative fuels with lower emissions from renewable sources. Dimethyl ether has received great attention in recent years as a clean fuel and intermediate product. It can be manufactured from natural gas-derived syngas as well as renewable sources such as carbon dioxide and biomass. Although dimethyl ether has a modest carbon dioxide emission factor compared to conventional fuels, it could be produced by chemical reduction of carbon dioxide. Recycling and chemical fixation of carbon dioxide to dimethyl ether through capture and hydrogenation could be considered as a method to reduce carbon dioxide emission. Dimethyl ether also is a convenient fuel in fuel cell applications giving a high-yield conversion of chemical to electrical energy.