The primary method for DME production is methanol dehydration, where methanol is converted to DME using an acid catalyst. Common catalysts for this process include γ-Alumina, zeolites, and other solid acids. The reaction can be represented as: 2 CH3OH → CH3OCH3 + H2O Another method involves direct synthesis from syngas (a mixture of CO and H2). This process uses a bifunctional catalyst system, where one catalyst (typically Cu-based) facilitates the formation of methanol and another (usually a solid acid) dehydrates the methanol to form DME.
