The DME (DI-methyl-oter) is a gas turned into low pressure. It is easy to manipulate, similar to propane and can be extracted from natural gas and different types of biomass. When it occurs from biomass, it is known as Bio-Dme.
The Bio-DME project aims to evaluate whether there is a market for the Bio-DME applied to vehicles. This two-year project has already been traveled halfway, and the preliminary results show that the Bio-DME is already working in daily professional works. If the diesel was replaced by the Bio-DME, CO2 emissions would be reduced by 95%.
Since the fall of last year, ten Volvo Bio-DME trucks have been operating regularly and it has now been proven that the results exceed what is expected. After traveling 400,000 kilometers it has been proven that technology is reliable and efficient.
According to the pilots involved in the "driving a Bio-DME is as simple as doing so with a conventional diesel truck. It is a completely new technology and yet we have barely experienced technical problems and, moreover, the trucks are more stable with Bio-Dme in the deposit."
The biofuel in this project is made of black liquor, a product from the production of wood pulp, at the Chemrec en Piteå gasification plant. The production system constantly works and the possibility of supplying large -scale fuel depends largely on incentives for alternative fuels.
"Bio-DME can also be obtained from other renewable raw materials, and we are convinced that it is a fuel with a lot of future. We have developed a technology that makes it possible to use this fuel for professional works. The biggest challenge for the future is to create the market and infrastructure necessary for this new fuel, and this requires investment." Per Salomonsson, Project Manager Alternative Fuels in Volvo has pointed out.
The pilot tests will continue until the end of the year, and subsequently an evaluation will be carried out to study the viability of a future market for the Bio-DME.
The Swedish energy agency and the US Seventh Framework Program support this project. In addition, Volvo Trucks, Chemrec, Prem Delphi, etc., Haldor Topsoe and total.
Advantages of DME
When used in a diesel engine, the Bio-DME provides the same level of efficiency and less noise level. Compared to diesel, Bio-DME generates no less than 95% less CO2 emissions. Even its combustion produces very few particles and Nox. Therefore, Bio-Dme is ideal for diesel engines.
