On December 24, 2007, a reporter learned from Shandong Qingzhou Longyu Chemical Technology Co., Ltd. that the dimethyl ether (DME) production process developed by Shandong University of Science and Technology, using a reactive distillation method along with its auxiliary equipment, was successfully implemented in the company’s 50,000-ton-per-year demonstration plant. The process has now achieved full-scale industrial production. Operational data showed that the single-pass methanol conversion rate exceeded 90%, with DME selectivity over 99%. The system also demonstrated high operational flexibility, allowing the production scale to be adjusted according to pressure levels.
It is reported that while current DME technologies can support multi-million-ton facilities, they typically require multiple units to achieve large-scale production. High-efficiency reaction and separation equipment plays a critical role in enabling cost-effective and scalable DME manufacturing. To meet the national targets set by the National Development and Reform Commission, both process optimization and equipment innovation are essential.
The reactive distillation technology developed by Shandong University of Science and Technology follows a step-by-step liquid-phase synthesis method for DME. This innovative approach employs a "liquid-liquid-gas" mixed-phase reactive distillation process. At temperatures between 120°C and 180°C, methanol and catalysts are fully mixed and reacted, allowing efficient utilization of reaction heat. This results in high conversion rates and low energy consumption. The design also eliminates wastewater pollution and corrosion issues caused by the washing section, improving environmental safety.
The generated DME gas separates easily from the liquid phase, reducing capital investment to about 40%–50% of conventional technologies. The process is simple and does not require additional regeneration steps or equipment.
Operational results from the demonstration unit at Shandong Qingzhou Longyu show that producing one ton of DME consumes 1.4 tons of methanol, with DME content exceeding 95% at the outlet of the reaction distillation column. A single unit has reached a production capacity of up to 1 million tons annually. Additionally, the supporting NS tilted long strip composite trays and new high-efficiency trays contribute to lower energy use and investment costs.
According to Professor Tian Yuanyu, head of R&D at Shandong University of Science and Technology, this process ensures safe and efficient operation of large-scale DME facilities. By adjusting the vapor-to-liquid ratio of the feedstock, the system maintains stable temperature and rapid response, supporting flexible production within a pressure range of 0.1–1.0 MPa. This technological advancement not only meets industrial demands but also enhances market adaptability.
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