Application of dimethyl ether (DME) in compression ignition engines leads to mechanical malfunctioning in diesel fuel injection systems, which creates high technological barrier for its wider use, despite its great combustion characteristics and ability to dramatically reduce criteria pollutant and carbon emissions. In this work, co-optimization of liquefied DME with diesel fuel injection systems is conducted with a primary focus on viscosity improvement by blending DME with glycerol and co-solvents. To choose the best kinds of co-solvents, 50 molecular species of interest are evaluated as candidates based on selection criteria including Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP), viscosity, flash point, oxygen mass content, production scale, technology readiness and commercial viability of the production from renewable feedstock, and health and environmental impact. Two novel DME blends (i.e., Michigan DME Blend 1: homogeneous ternary mixture of liquefied DME, glycerol, and di-propylene glycol, and Michigan DME Blend 2: homogeneous ternary mixture of liquefied DME, glycerol, and propylene glycol) are identified and some of their physical and chemical properties are investigated. For viscosity, Michigan DME Blend 1 can achieve the viscosity of No.2 diesel oil at 40 wt.% of DME while Michigan DME Blend 2 can achieve it at 43 wt.% of DME. Elastomer compatibility of the blend was experimentally investigated with Viton, Buna-N, silicon, and Teflon O-rings. Both Michigan DME Blends showed either the better or the similar elastomer compatibility than the neat DME. Life cycle carbon emissions of one of the two blends (i.e., Michigan DME Blend 2) is assessed for different production pathways and co-product allocation methods. The result generally showed the better well-to-wheel life cycle carbon emissions in Michigan DME Blend 2 as compared to natural gas derived neat DME and petroleum derived diesel. However, the result had significant variation depending on the detailed process parameters used for glycerol purification process and on the emissions burden allocation method for the production of glycerol and biodiesel as a co-product.

Co-optimization of liquefied dimethyl ether with diesel fuel injection system by glycerol blending

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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