Dimethyl Ether from Natural Gas (Methanol as Co-Product)
Dimethyl Ether Production Costs Report | Issue H | Q3 2024
Report Details |
1,020 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages |
This report presents a cost analysis of a 1,020 kta (kilo metric ton per annum) United States-based plant. You can add a customized cost analysis, assuming another location (country), when ordering a premium edition of this report.
Report Abstract
This report presents the economics of Dimethyl Ether (DME) production from natural gas in the United States. The process under analysis is a two-step process. The first step comprises the conversion of natural gas into synthesis gas (syngas) through combined reforming and subsequent formation of methanol from syngas. The second step consists of the catalytic dehydration of methanol to generate DME.
The report provides a comprehensive study of Dimethyl Ether production and related Dimethyl Ether production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Dimethyl Ether production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Dimethyl Ether plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Dimethyl Ether plant operating costs (Opex).
The Dimethyl Ether production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Dimethyl Ether plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Dimethyl Ether plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.
Process Overview

Products
Dimethyl Ether. Dimethyl Ether (a.k.a. DME), is the simplest aliphatic ether, containing only two carbon atoms. This organic compound has been used in the production of the methylating agent dimethyl sulfate, as an aerosol propellant, coolant and in a number of other applications. More recently, DME has attracted considerable attention as a synthetically produced alternative to diesel, able to produce clean energy in the future.
Methanol. Methanol is one of the most important chemical raw materials, used as a solvent, starting material in the production of chemicals and in the fuel sector. Currently, more than 95% of commercial methanol is synthetically produced from synthesis gas, or syngas, which is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
Raw Material
Natural Gas. Natural gas is a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbon found in porous subsurface geologic formations. It is composed mainly of methane, but also contains varying amounts of higher hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane, and butane. Additionally, natural gas may also include non-hydrocarbon components considered impurities such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Natural gas is primarily used as a source of heat energy for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. It may also be used in the production of important chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen.
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Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
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Plant Capital Cost Summary
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Production Costs Datasheet
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Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
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Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Plant Capital Cost Details
Operating Cost Details
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Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
Labor Requirements
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Plant Capital Cost Details
Operating Cost Details
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Plant Capacity Assessment
Process Flow Diagrams
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Content Highlights
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Summary outlining the capital cost required for building the Dimethyl Ether production plant examined
Plant Capital Cost Details
Detailing of fixed capital (ISBL, OSBL & Owner’s Cost), working capital and additional capital requirements
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Breakdown of Dimethyl Ether process unit (ISBL) costs and infrastructure (OSBL) costs; plant cost breakdown per discipline
Operating Costs Summary
Summary presenting the operating variable costs and the total operating cost of the Dimethyl Ether production plant studied
Operating Cost Details
Detailing of utilities costs, operating fixed costs and depreciation
Plant Capacity Assessment
Comparative analysis of capital investment and operating costs for different Dimethyl Ether plant capacities
Production Process Information
Block Flow Diagram, descriptions of process unit (ISBL) and site infrastructure (OSBL)
Process Consumptions
Raw materials and utilities consumption figures, by-products credits, labor requirements
Process Diagrams
Process flow diagrams (PFD), equipment list and industrial site configuration
Other Dimethyl Ether Production Cost Reports
Dimethyl Ether Production from Natural Gas & CO2 (Indirect Method)
This report presents the economics of Dimethyl Ether (DME) production from natural gas and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United States. The process under analysis comprises the reforming of natural gas with CO2 for generating synthesis gas (syngas). Syngas, in turn, is used as feed for the two-step DME synthesis - the gas is first converted into methanol and methanol intermediate is dehydrated into DME in a different reactor after methanol purification.
Details: 130 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue F From $1,499 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 130 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
Dimethyl Ether from CO2-Rich Natural Gas (CO2 Removal Pre-Treatment)
This report presents the economics of Dimethyl Ether (DME) production from natural gas with high CO2 content in the United States. The process under analysis consists of four major steps. The first step comprises an amine treatement of natural gas for the removal of CO2. In the second step, natural gas is fed to a combined reforming process producing synthesis gas (syngas) which is, subsequently, converted into methanol. The final step consists of the catalytic dehydration of methanol to generate DME.
Details: 1,020 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue I From $5,000 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 1,020 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
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Other Related Production Cost Reports
Methanol Production from Natural Gas (Steam Reforming)
This study presents the economics of large-scale Methanol production from natural gas in the United States. In the process examined, natural gas is first converted into synthesis gas (syngas) by means of conventional steam reforming and then the syngas is converted into Methanol.
Details: 1,000 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 1,000 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
Methanol Production from Natural Gas (Combined Reforming)
This study presents the economics of large-scale Methanol production from natural gas in the United States. In this process, natural gas is first converted into synthesis gas (syngas) by means of conventional steam reforming and secondary autothermal reforming. Then, the syngas is converted into Methanol.
Details: 1,700 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue B From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 1,700 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
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