Indonesia develops dimethyl ether as alternative to LPG

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) is developing Dimethyl Ether (DME) as an alternative energy besides Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) in the household sector.

DME can be obtained from coal, natural gas, biomass, wastes, and Coal Bed Methane (CBM), according to a statement from the ministry received by Indonesia Window here on Wednesday.

Since replacing kerosene, the need for LPG especially for household has increased to reach 96 percent, raising import of the fuel to 75 percent.

The head of the ministry’s Research and Development Agency, Dadan Kusdiana, said Dimethyl Ether could be an alternative solution over the LPG supply and stock issue.

He explained, the characteristics of DME both chemical and physical properties similar to LPG.

“Because they are similar, we can use existing LPG infrastructures, such as tubes and storage,” Dadan noted.

DME has a calorific value of 7,749 Kcal/Kg, while the LPG heat content is 12,076 Kcal/Kg.

However, DME has a higher density, and therefore the calorie ratio between DME and LPG is around 1 : 1.6.

“It means that 1 liter of LPG is equal to 1.2 liters of DME,” Dadan pointed out.

In terms of the environment DME is more friendly than LPG because the first is easily biodegradable in the air so it does not damage the ozone layer and minimize greenhouse gases by up to 20 percent.

“LPG produces 930 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions per year, while DME generates 745 kilograms of carbon dioxide. This is in line with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Dadan said.

Meanwhile, the quality of the flame produced by DME is bluer and more stable, does not produce particulate matter (pm) and NOx, as well as does not contain sulphur.

DME is the simplest ether compound containing oxygen with the chemical formula CH3OCH3 in the form of gas, making its combustion process faster than LPG.

Another advantage of DME is that the raw materials is more various and abundantly available in the country.

“We need to increase the energy base which the raw material sources are available in the country. Hopefully, there will be a multiplier effect we can get,” Dadan said.

The ministry’s Research and Development Agency has completed a test of application of DME 100 percent in Palembang city and Muara Enim, South Sumatra province in December 2019 – January 2020, involving 155 families.

Earlier, in 2017 a test of DME 20 percent, 50 percent, and 100 percent was carried out in Marunda subdistrict, Jakarta on 100 households.

Reporting by Indonesia Window