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Oligomeric oxymethylene ethers (OMEs) are promising fuels for internal combustion engines with self-ignition. A tremendous reduction of soot, nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon emissions can be realized by employing OMEs. This work describes the synthesis of OMEs from dimethyl ether (DME) and trioxane. Zeolite H-BEA 25 was found to be a suitable catalyst for this reaction and a study on reaction parameters (e.g. temperature, reactant feed ratio and reaction time) has been carried out. A maximum DME conversion of 13.9 wt% could be obtained and the maximum reactant-related product yield for OME 3–5 was 8.2 wt%. An OME formation mechanism is proposed which explains the observed product spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent progress regarding the production of alternative liquid fuels is described with a focus on catalyst development. Fuels for spark ignition engines as well as diesel fuels are considered and their potentials regarding the reduction of harmful emissions are addressed. Two main strategies are described. The first implies production of synthesis gas from renewables or CO2 and subsequent synthesis of methanol or dimethyl ether. Both can be further converted to a series of valuable fuels, e.g., high‐quality gasoline or oxymethylene ethers. The second strategy comprises the production of ethanol and its conversion to gasoline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]