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Oligomeric oxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME n , CH 3 O(CH 2 O) n CH 3 ) bearing three to five CH 2 O units are promising diesel fuels for the reduction of soot and NO x emissions. Regarding the production of OMEs, a highly optimized process has not been realized yet. This work describes efficient synthesis of OMEs from dimethoxymethane (DMM) and trioxane in batch experiments at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. To ensure high reactivity and high OME yields, dry educts have been used and the influence of water has been investigated in detail. The ion exchange resin Amberlyst36 and zeolites have been employed as acidic catalysts. Zeolite BEA25 exhibited highest catalytic activity and the reaction could be completed within 12 min at 25 °C. Furthermore, the formation of byproducts could be fully eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of biomass for the production of liquid fuels can help reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are predominantly generated by the combustion of fossil fuels. Oxymethylene ethers (OMEs) are a series of liquid fuel additives that can be obtained from syngas, which is produced from the gasification of biomass. The blending of OMEs in conventional diesel fuel can reduce soot formation during combustion in a diesel engine. In this research, a process for the production of OMEs from woody biomass has been simulated. The process consists of several unit operations including biomass gasification, syngas cleanup, methanol production, and conversion of methanol to OMEs. The methodology involved the development of process models, the identification of the key process parameters affecting OME production based on the process model, and the development of an optimal process design for high OME yields. It was found that up to 9.02 tonnes day −1 of OME 3 , OME 4 , and OME 5 (which are suitable as diesel additives) can be produced from 277.3 tonnes day −1 of wet woody biomass. Furthermore, an optimal combination of the parameters, which was generated from the developed model, can greatly enhance OME production and thermodynamic efficiency. This model can further be used in a techno-economic assessment of the whole biomass conversion chain to produce OMEs. The results of this study can be helpful for petroleum-based fuel producers and policy makers in determining the most attractive pathways of converting bio-resources into liquid fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]