German researchers tout DME as ‘game-changer’ for hydrogen imports | Technology

German researchers have developed a way to produce a compound typically used in aerosols, which it claims could support Europe’s hydrogen import goals. Plans for a pilot plant in Chile are now being advanced.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) said its method of producing dimethyl ether (DME) could be a “game-changer” for hydrogen.

DME is an organic compound, typically used as an aerosol propellant. It is primarily produced by dehydrating methanol or directly from syngas, both using catalysts.

The Institute’s “Indigo” production process performs DME synthesis and distillation simultaneously, which it claims increases efficiency and reduces costs by a quarter compared to conventional synthesis.

DME can either be steam reformed to recover hydrogen or used directly as a fuel or chemical feedstock.

This would require green hydrogen to be combined with carbon dioxide into methanol, which could then be converted into DME.

While many efficiency hawks would argue that stopping at methanol would be the logical route, ISE says DME could offer major advantages as a carrier.

It claims DME has a higher volumetric energy density than ammonia, is easier to store than hydrogen, is compatible with LPG infrastructure, and can be converted back to hydrogen efficiently.

“The global LPG market comprises approximately 200 million tonnes per year,” said ISE Head of the Sustainable Synthesis Products Department Dr Achim Schaadt. “This demonstrates the enormous potential of DME.”

Describing the compound as the “ideal candidate” for clean hydrogen imports, ISE is now launching an international research project, which will look to set up production in Chile for export.

The team has already conducted a site analysis in the Antofagasta region, which boasts large volumes of surplus renewables.

A timeline for the project’s start-up has not been revealed.

It comes as Germany looks overseas to meet up to 70% of its 2030 clean hydrogen demand through imports, due to the country’s lack of available cheap renewables.