Hyderabad IICT develops LPG alternative Dimethyl Ether
HYDERABAD: Research by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad to develop Dimethyl Ether (DME) as an alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has reached a key stage.
Pilot plant aims to produce 180 kg daily
IICT has developed the technology and is setting up a pilot plant based on it. IICT director D. Srinivas Reddy shared the details with the media in Hyderabad on Friday.
DME can be produced using carbon dioxide released from industries. IICT developed the process in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The institute designed special catalysts for producing DME. The pilot project is expected to produce 180 kg per day by next year.
For this purpose, a DME production plant and a green hydrogen plant are being established.
Fuel can blend with LPG using existing cylinders
Dimethyl Ether has properties similar to propane and butane gases used in LPG.
Because of this similarity, it can be used with minor changes in the existing LPG system. Up to 20% DME can be blended with LPG without modifying current gas cylinders, burners or distribution systems.
The fuel can also be used as an alternative to diesel.
If the technology succeeds, it can be transferred for large-scale domestic production of DME. Officials said this would strengthen the country’s energy security.
NCL Pune already produces DME
The National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) in Pune has already developed technology to produce DME from methanol. It currently produces 250 kg per day and plans to increase output to 2.5 tonnes, Srinivas Reddy said.
He added that China is the largest producer of Dimethyl Ether in the world.
Biogas from waste also developed
IICT principal scientist A. G. Rao said the institute has also developed anaerobic gas-lift reactor technology to produce cooking gas from waste as an alternative to LPG.
Markets at Boinpally, Gudimalkapur, Erragadda, Kukatpally, and Batasingaram, along with the Osmania University women’s hostel and the Akshaya Patra Foundation, are using the technology to produce gas from waste.
The plant set up at IICT with a 250 kg capacity meets about 25% of the institute’s energy needs.
According to scientists, one tonne of waste can produce biogas equal to four LPG cylinders.
