Authors :
Adeyemi Taofeek Opemipo; Ekanem Stephen Anthony; Victor Joseph Aimikhe
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4dz9y6zx
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3d56mssd
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec1191
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
The global transition to cleaner energy requires strategies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions while
maintaining reliable energy supply. This study developed and validated mathematical models to predict the calorific value
and CO2 emissions of natural gas–dimethyl ether (DME) mixtures across compositions ranging from 0% to 100% DME.
Using ideal gas thermodynamics and differential carbon accounting, the models were implemented in Microsoft Excel for
accessibility and practical application. Results show that DME blending increases volumetric energy density almost
linearly, with each 10% DME addition raising energy density by about 3.8% and achieving a 38% increase at 100% DME
compared to pure natural gas. This reduces volumetric flow requirements, offering advantages over hydrogen blending.
The CO2 model, based on lifecycle assessment, indicates that emissions depend primarily on the DME production pathway.
Renewable Power-to-X routes using offshore wind can reduce emissions to 8.1 gCO2eq/MJ—an 85% reduction relative to
natural gas—while fossil-based routes may exceed 200 gCO2eq/MJ. Although experimental validation is still needed, the
models align with thermodynamic theory and literature benchmarks. Overall, natural gas–DME blending represents a
viable, low carbon fuel bridge technology for lowering emissions, particularly when supported by renewable production
pathways and effective policy frameworks.
Keywords :
Natural Gas, Dimethyl Ether, CO2 Emissions, Calorific Value, Low Carbon Fuels.
References :
- CEDIGAZ. (2025). CEDIGAZ first estimates 2025. Available at https://www.cedigaz.org/cedigaz-first-estimates-2025/
- United Nations Development Programme. (2025). What is the sustainable energy transition and why is it key to tackling climate change? Available at https://climatepromise.undp.org/news-and-stories/what-sustainable-energy-transition-and-why-it-key-tackling-climate-change
- Fortune Business Insights. (2024). Dimethyl ether [DME] market size, analysis: Global report 2024-2032. Available at https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/dimethyl-ether-market-104309
- Styring, P., Sanderson, P. W., Gell, I., Skorikova, G., Sánchez Martínez, C., García García, G., & Sluijter, S. N. (2022). Carbon footprint of Power-to-X derived dimethyl ether using the sorption-enhanced DME synthesis process. Frontiers in Sustainability, 3, 1057190. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2022.1057190
- MET Group. (2021). Calorific value of natural gas. Available at https://group.met.com/en/media/energy-insight/calorific-value-of-natural-gas/
- The Engineering ToolBox (2003). Higher Calorific Values of Common Fuels: Reference & Data. Available at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/fuels-higher-calorific-values-d_169.html
- The Engineering ToolBox (2009). Combustion of Fuels - Carbon Dioxide Emission. Available at https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/co2-emission-fuels-d_1085.html
- Energy Transition Model. (n.d.). Emission. Available at https://docs.energytransitionmodel.com/main/co2-emission-factors/
- U. S E.P.A, (2024), Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator - Calculations and References. Available at https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator-calculations-and-references
- Pamungkas, W. A., Budiman, A. W., Inayati, I., Margono, M., Sembodo, B. S. T., Mersitarini, D., … & Mahendra, I. (2024). A Review of DME Manufacturing: Process and Catalyst Studies. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 481, p. 01002). EDP Sciences
- Uddin, Md Mosleh; Simson, Amanda; Wright, Mark Mba, (2020). "Techno-economic and greenhouse gas emission analysis of dimethyl ether production via the bi-reforming pathway for transportation fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
- Lu, M., Fu, Z., Yuan, X., Wu, J., & Sabir, S. W. (2021). Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Non-premixed Combustion Processes for Methane and Dimethyl Ether Binary Fuels. ACS omega, 6(10), 6629–6642. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c05418
- Issayev G, Giri B.R, Elbaz A.M, Shrestha K.P, Mauss F, Roberts W.L, Farooq A. (2022). Ignition delay time and laminar flame speed measurements of ammonia blended with dimethyl ether: A promising low carbon fuel blend, Renewable Energy, Volume 181, 1353-1370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.09.117.
- Balmer R. T., (2011). Modern Engineering Thermodynamics, ScienceDirect, ch. 12, pg 405. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2009-0-20199-1
- Zacepins, A., Kotovs, D., Komasilovs, V., & Kviesis, A. (2024). Economic Modelling of Mixing Hydrogen with Natural Gas. Processes, 12(2), 262. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12020262
- Hone, D. (2011). Natural gas, CO2 emissions and climate change. Shell Blogs. https://blogs.shell.com/2011/09/19/naturalgas/
- Howarth, R. W., & Marino, R. (2019). Fossil Fuel Emissions. Available at https://www.research.howarthlab.org/fossilfuelemissions.php
- Anggarani, Riesta & Setyo Wibowo, Cahyo & Rulianto, Dimitri. (2014). Application of Dimethyl Ether as LPG Substitution for Household Stove. Energy Procedia. 47. 227–234. 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.01.218.
- Kim T and Boehman A. L (2023). Development of novel dimethyl ether – Glycerol blends with improved viscosity and miscibility for potential compression-ignition engine application. Fuel, 346(39):128301. DOI:10.1016/j.fuel.2023.128301
- Rossi T, Lixi S, Grosso M, and Puricelli S (2024). Fuel consumption and exhaust emissions from Euro 6d vehicles fueled by innovative LPG/DME blend. Journal of the Energy Institute 117(2):101851. DOI:10.1016/j.joei.2024.101851
The global transition to cleaner energy requires strategies that reduce carbon dioxide emissions while
maintaining reliable energy supply. This study developed and validated mathematical models to predict the calorific value
and CO2 emissions of natural gas–dimethyl ether (DME) mixtures across compositions ranging from 0% to 100% DME.
Using ideal gas thermodynamics and differential carbon accounting, the models were implemented in Microsoft Excel for
accessibility and practical application. Results show that DME blending increases volumetric energy density almost
linearly, with each 10% DME addition raising energy density by about 3.8% and achieving a 38% increase at 100% DME
compared to pure natural gas. This reduces volumetric flow requirements, offering advantages over hydrogen blending.
The CO2 model, based on lifecycle assessment, indicates that emissions depend primarily on the DME production pathway.
Renewable Power-to-X routes using offshore wind can reduce emissions to 8.1 gCO2eq/MJ—an 85% reduction relative to
natural gas—while fossil-based routes may exceed 200 gCO2eq/MJ. Although experimental validation is still needed, the
models align with thermodynamic theory and literature benchmarks. Overall, natural gas–DME blending represents a
viable, low carbon fuel bridge technology for lowering emissions, particularly when supported by renewable production
pathways and effective policy frameworks.
Keywords :
Natural Gas, Dimethyl Ether, CO2 Emissions, Calorific Value, Low Carbon Fuels.