Alternative Fuel
Technology
1. What is DME ?
  • Dimethyl Ether
  • DME is gaseous at normal
    temperature and pressure, but
    changes to a liquid when
    subjected to modest pressure or
    cooling.
2. What is DME made from?
  • Stranded Natural Gas
  • Coal
  • Biomass:
3.  What vehicles would benefit from
DME?
  • DME is a diesel fuel replacement,
    so all diesel cars, trucks, and
    buses could run on DME.
4.  Will DME be expensive?
  • In production, DME is equivalent
    to diesel fuel when crude oil is
    $30-$70/barrel.  This depends on
    which source (see question 1
    above) the DME is made from.  
    Crude oil has reached prices of
    $150+, making DME a very
    affordable fuel.
  • These costs are based on
    equivalent energy, not volume.  In
    other words, because DME
    contains less energy per gallon,
    the costs are based on an
    equivalent energy gallon.
5.  How does DME help the
environment?
  • DME does not produce black
    smoke
  • Radically lowers NOx emissions
    without costly add-ons
  • When DME is made from
    biomass, it lowers Carbon
    Dioxide emissions, slowing
    global warming.
6.  Who uses DME?
  • Many countries have been
    exploring the use of DME for
    years.  
  • The governments in China,
    Japan, Korea, and many parts of
    Europe are investing heavily in
    DME plants and research.  
  • Canada and the USA are
    beginning to look into DME
    production as well.
7. What else can DME be used for?
  • Heating homes
  • Cooking
  • Power generation
8.  Why haven't I heard about DME?
  • The USA cut funding to DME
    research in 2000, as they were
    focused on other alternatives.  
    Since most of these alternatives
    have not proved practical,
    government officials are looking
    to other possibilities, which
    includes DME.
9.  How difficult are DME stations?
  • DME stations would be similar to
    propane stations, which already
    exist.
10.  What does AFT do regarding DME?
  • AFT produces fuel systems that
    deliver DME to the engine and
    injects it into the cylinders.  We do
    not manufacture the DME fuel, but
    are in close contact with the
    companies that do.  We will
    create the demand, DME plants
    will create the supply.  
Common Questions
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