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Geitner R, Schuett T, Zechel S, Schubert US. Advancements and Challenges in the Synthesis of Oxymethylene Ethers (OMEs) as Sustainable Transportation Fuels. Chemistry 2024:e202401570. [PMID: 38877302 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202401570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
The urgent need for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels in the transportation sector is driving research into novel energy carriers that can meet the high energy density requirements of heavy-duty vehicles without exacerbating the climate change. This concept article examines the synthesis, mechanisms, and challenges associated with oxymethylene ethers (OMEs), a promising class of synthetic fuels potentially derived from carbon dioxide and hydrogen. We highlight the importance of OMEs in the transition towards non-fossil energy sources due to their compatibility with the existing Diesel infrastructure and their cleaner combustion profile. The synthesis mechanisms, including the Schulz-Flory distribution and its implications for OME chain length specificity, and the role of various catalysts and starting materials are discussed in depth. Despite advancements in the field, significant challenges remain, such as overcoming the Schulz-Flory distribution, efficiently managing water as an undesirable byproduct, and improving the overall energy efficiency of the OME synthesis. Addressing these challenges is crucial for OMEs to become a viable alternative fuel, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the transition to a sustainable energy future in the transportation sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Geitner
- Institute for Chemistry and Bioengineering, Technical University Ilmenau, Weimarer Str. 32, 98693, Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Timo Schuett
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan Zechel
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
| | - Ulrich S Schubert
- Laboratory of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry (IOMC), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Humboldtstr. 10, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Jena Center for Soft Matter (JCSM), Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Philosophenweg 7, 07743, Jena, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications Jena (HIPOLE Jena), Lessingstrasse 12-14, 07743, Jena, Germany
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Abstract
Sector coupling remains a crucial measure to achieve climate change mitigation targets. Hydrogen and Power-to-X (PtX) products are recognized as major levers to allow the boosting of renewable energy capacities and the consequent use of green electrons in different sectors. In this work, the challenges presented by the PtX processes are addressed and different process intensification (PI) strategies and their potential to overcome these challenges are reviewed for ammonia (NH3), dimethyl ether (DME) and oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME) as three exemplary, major PtX products. PI approaches in this context offer on the one hand the maximum utilization of valuable renewable feedstock and on the other hand simpler production processes. For the three discussed processes a compelling strategy for efficient and ultimately maintenance-free chemical synthesis is presented by integrating unit operations to overcome thermodynamic limitations, and in best cases eliminate the recycle loops. The proposed intensification processes offer a significant reduction of energy consumption and provide an interesting perspective for the future development of PtX technologies.
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Baranowski CJ, Brandon J, Bahmanpour AM, Kröcher O. Grafting of Alkali Metals on Fumed Silica for the Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Methanol to Formaldehyde. ChemCatChem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202100685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christophe J. Baranowski
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Jack Brandon
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Ali M. Bahmanpour
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Oliver Kröcher
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
- Paul Scherrer Institut OVGA/112 5232 Villigen PSI Switzerland
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Abstract
Achieving the CO2 reduction targets for 2050 requires extensive measures being undertaken in all sectors. In contrast to energy generation, the transport sector has not yet been able to achieve a substantive reduction in CO2 emissions. Measures for the ever more pressing reduction in CO2 emissions from transportation include the increased use of electric vehicles powered by batteries or fuel cells. The use of fuel cells requires the production of hydrogen and the establishment of a corresponding hydrogen production system and associated infrastructure. Synthetic fuels made using carbon dioxide and sustainably-produced hydrogen can be used in the existing infrastructure and will reach the extant vehicle fleet in the medium term. All three options require a major expansion of the generation capacities for renewable electricity. Moreover, various options for road freight transport with light duty vehicles (LDVs) and heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) are analyzed and compared. In addition to efficiency throughout the entire value chain, well-to-wheel efficiency and also other aspects play an important role in this comparison. These include: (a) the possibility of large-scale energy storage in the sense of so-called ‘sector coupling’, which is offered only by hydrogen and synthetic energy sources; (b) the use of the existing fueling station infrastructure and the applicability of the new technology on the existing fleet; (c) fulfilling the power and range requirements of the long-distance road transport.
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Mantei F, Ouda M, Ali R, Schaadt A. Prozesssimulation des komplexen Gemischverhaltens von Oxymethylendimethylether (OME). CHEM-ING-TECH 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.202055472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F. K. Mantei
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE Wasserstofftechnologien Heidenhofstr. 2 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
- Technische Universität Berlin Fachgebiet Verfahrenstechnik Fraunhoferstr. 33–36 10587 Berlin Deutschland
| | - M. Ouda
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE Wasserstofftechnologien Heidenhofstr. 2 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
| | - R. Ali
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE Wasserstofftechnologien Heidenhofstr. 2 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
| | - A. Schaadt
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE Wasserstofftechnologien Heidenhofstr. 2 79110 Freiburg Deutschland
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Property Data Estimation for Hemiformals, Methylene Glycols and Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers and Process Optimization in Formaldehyde Synthesis. ENERGIES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/en13133401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OMEn) are frequently discussed as alternative diesel fuels, with various synthesis routes considered. OME3–5 syntheses demand significant amounts of thermal energy due to the complex separation processes that they entail. Therefore, innovative process designs are needed. An important tool for the development of new processes is process simulation software. To ensure sound process simulations, reliable physico-chemical models and component property data are necessary. Herein we present the implementation of a state-of-the-art thermodynamic model to describe the component systems of formaldehyde-water and formaldehyde-methanol using Microsoft® Excel (2010, Microsoft Corp, Redmond, WA, USA) and Aspen Plus®, (V8.8, Aspen Tech, Bedford, MA, USA) determine the deviation between the calculated results and experimental literature data, and minimize the deviation by means of parameter fitting. To improve the accuracy of the estimation of the missing property data of hemiformals and methylene glycols formed from formaldehyde using group contribution methods, the normal boiling points were estimated based on molecular analogies. The boiling points of OME6-10 are determined through parameter regression in accordance with the vapor pressure equation. As an application example, an optimization of the product separation of the state-of-the-art formaldehyde synthesis is presented that helps decrease the losses of methanol and formaldehyde in flue gas and wastewater.
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(Trans)acetalization Reactions for the Synthesis of Oligomeric Oxymethylene Dialkyl Ethers Catalyzed by Zeolite BEA25. Top Catal 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11244-019-01188-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Burre J, Bongartz D, Mitsos A. Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part II: Modeling and Analysis for OME3–5. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jannik Burre
- Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Dominik Bongartz
- Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Mitsos
- Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, Forckenbeckstrasse 51, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- JARA-ENERGY, 52056 Aachen, Germany
- Energy Systems Engineering (IEK-10), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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Bongartz D, Burre J, Mitsos A. Production of Oxymethylene Dimethyl Ethers from Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide—Part I: Modeling and Analysis for OME1. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b05576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Bongartz
- Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Jannik Burre
- Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Mitsos
- Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- JARA-ENERGY, 52056 Aachen, Germany
- Energy Systems Engineering (IEK-10), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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