Steady State Simulation and Optimization of DME Synthesis in Fixed-Bed Reactor

Dimethyl ether as a green fuel, has received growing attention due to environment pollution and energy supply problem. In this paper, DME synthesis from methanol dehydration is modeled at steady state condition. The process consists of an adiabatic fixed-bed reactor that coupled with a heat exchanger to the preheating of feed stream using outlet product from reactor. The reactor is modeled heterogeneously based on mass and energy conservation laws as well as auxiliary equations. The accuracy of proposed model is improved with comparison between simulation results and plant data. Also, DME production is maximized using manipulation of feed temperature and optimal temperature of feed is obtained.