Commodity Production Costs Report
Dimethyl Ether Production from Natural Gas & CO2 (Indirect Method)
Dimethyl Ether Plant Capital & Operating Cost Analysis | United States | Q2 2025
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.
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.
Product
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.
Raw Materials
Carbon Dioxide. Carbon dioxide is a colorless and incombustible gas with chemical formula CO2; a naturally occurring chemical present in the atmosphere. Formed during respiration, this gas is obtained by several ways and at various scales, based on carbon-based fuels combustion, carbohydrates fermentation, limestone thermal decomposition, as byproduct of the industrial production of hydrogen by steam reforming and ammonia synthesis, etc. Carbon dioxide is a versatile chemical with a number of applications, being widely used in the production of carbonated beverages, as an inert gas and as a pressurizing gas. In the chemical industry, it is mainly used in the production of urea, methanol, metal carbonates and bicarbonates.
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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Professional report based on Q2 2025 economic data, ensuring timely evaluations.
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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
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Other Dimethyl Ether Production Cost Reports
Dimethyl Ether Production from Synthesis Gas (Direct Method)
The report presents the economics of Dimethyl Ether (DME) production from synthesis gas (syngas) through a one-step process. In this process, syngas is reacted in the presence of a bifunctional catalyst that supports methanol syntheses and the subsequent dehydration of methanol to DME within a single reactor. The economic analysis performed assumes a plant located in the United States.
Details: 150 kta United States-based plant | Q2 2025 | 107 pages | Issue E | From $1,199 USD
Dimethyl Ether Production from Natural Gas & CO2 (Direct Method)
The report presents the economics of Dimethyl Ether (DME) production from natural gas and carbon dioxide (CO2). In the process under analysis, natural gas is reformed with CO2 yielding synthesis gas (syngas). Syngas is then fed to a one-step process for DME generation - syngas conversion into methanol and methanol dehydration into DME are carried out in a single reaction step. The economic analysis performed assumes a plant located in the United States.
Details: 110 kta United States-based plant | Q2 2025 | 107 pages | Issue G | From $1,499 USD
Dimethyl Ether from CO2-Rich Natural Gas (Steam & CO2 Reforming)
This report presents the economics of Dimethyl Ether (DME) production from CO2-rich natural gas in the United States. The integrated process under analysis consists of three major steps. Initially, synthesis gas (syngas) is produced from natural gas, CO2 and water via a promising reforming process that combines dry and steam reforming. Then, the syngas is converted into methanol. The final step consists of the catalytic dehydration of methanol to generate DME.
Details: 1020 kta United States-based plant | Q2 2025 | 107 pages | Issue J | From $5,900 USD
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Other Related Production Cost Reports
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: 1700 kta United States-based plant | Q2 2025 | 107 pages | Issue B | From $799 USD
Syngas Production from Natural Gas (Steam Reforming)
In this report, the economic analysis concerns a process in which Syngas (Synthesis Gas) is generated from natural gas. This study examines a conventional steam reforming process. The plant is located in the United States.
Details: 600 kta United States-based plant | Q2 2025 | 107 pages | Issue F | From $799 USD
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