On December 24, 2007, a reporter learned from Shandong Qingzhou Longyu Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. that the dimethyl ether (DME) production process developed through a reaction distillation method by Shandong University of Science and Technology, along with its supporting equipment technology, had been successfully implemented in the company’s 50,000-ton-per-year demonstration plant. The system achieved stable industrial production, with impressive performance metrics. The single-pass methanol conversion rate exceeded 90%, while the DME selectivity surpassed 99%. The system also demonstrated excellent operational flexibility, allowing for scale adjustments based on pressure settings.
It is worth noting that although existing DME technologies have the capability to build multi-million-ton facilities, they typically require multiple units to achieve large-scale production. High-efficiency reaction and separation equipment plays a crucial role in enabling cost-effective, large-scale DME manufacturing. To meet the national targets set by the National Development and Reform Commission, both process optimization and advanced equipment development are essential.
The reactive distillation process developed by Shandong University of Science and Technology is a step-by-step liquid-phase method for DME production. This innovative approach uses a "liquid-liquid-gas" mixed-phase reactive distillation configuration. At temperatures between 120°C and 180°C, methanol, gas, and catalysts are fully mixed and reacted, with efficient use of reaction heat leading to high conversion rates and low energy consumption. The design eliminates wastewater pollution and corrosion issues caused by the degumming phase in traditional systems. Additionally, the generated DME gas separates easily from the liquid phase, reducing investment costs to about 40%-50% of conventional technologies. The overall process is simple, without the need for additional regeneration steps or equipment.
According to the operational data from the demonstration unit, producing one ton of DME requires 1.4 tons of methanol. The DME concentration at the outlet of the reaction distillation tower exceeds 95%, and a single unit has already reached a production capacity of 1 million tons annually. The supporting equipment, such as the NS tilted long strip composite trays and new high-efficiency trays, further enhances energy efficiency and reduces capital investment.
One of the most significant advantages of this process is its ability to ensure safe and efficient operation in large-scale facilities. According to Professor Tian Yuanyu, head of R&D at Shandong University of Science and Technology, the process achieves constant temperature and rapid response by adjusting the vapor-to-liquid ratio of the feedstock. This not only supports large-scale production but also allows for flexible adjustment of production capacity within a pressure range of 0.1–1.0 MPa, meeting diverse market demands effectively.
Top-grade NMN Raw Material Powder,NMN Raw Material Powder for Longevity,Reliable NMN Raw Material
Shanghai Canal International Trade Co.,Ltd , https://www.nmncanal.com