Process for the Production of Hydrogen from DME (Dimethyl Ether) and Apparatus for Carrying Out the Process

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This invention provides a process and apparatus for producing hydrogen from dimethyl ether (DME) by high-pressure steam or autothermal reforming. The method uses a nickel- or cobalt-based catalyst at elevated pressures (15–70 bar, preferably 20–40 bar) and high outlet temperatures (750°C to 1050°C), enabling efficient hydrogen production directly from DME—an oxygenated, sulfur-free, and energy-dense chemical—without the typical drawbacks of current methods such as catalyst deactivation, complex gas purification, or the need for hydrogen compressors. The system includes integrated steps for CO2 separation, hydrogen purification, heat recovery, and potential recycling of gases to improve efficiency.

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• Production of hydrogen fuel for stationary or mobile fuel cells in transportation, power generation, or backup systems.
• Integration into hydrogen infrastructure for blending or direct grid injection, supporting green energy transition.
• Efficient hydrogen generation at chemical plants or refineries wanting to use DME (from biomass, methanol, or waste sources) as a feedstock.
• Remote or distributed hydrogen production units where DME can be easily transported and converted to hydrogen onsite, bypassing compressed hydrogen logistics.
• Industrial processes requiring high-purity hydrogen (e.g., in glass manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, steelmaking).
• Carbon capture-utilization-storage (CCUS) scenarios, thanks to integrated CO2 separation steps.

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• Enables efficient, high-throughput hydrogen production from DME, which is more easily transported and stored than hydrogen itself.
• Eliminates the need for hydrogen compressors due to production at high pressure, reducing operational complexity, cost, and maintenance.
• Minimizes catalyst deactivation and reduces purification challenges compared to conventional low-pressure DME or methanol reforming processes.
• Uses robust, cost-effective nickel or cobalt catalysts compatible with industrial-scale operation.
• Requires no desulfurization, as DME is intrinsically sulfur-free, simplifying plant setup and reducing costs.
• Integrated heat and material management (e.g., waste heat recovery, gas recycling) enhances plant efficiency and reduces energy consumption.
• Scalable for deployment in decentralized, mobile, or industrial hydrogen supply chains, including for renewable DME sources.
• Supports carbon capture with high CO2 removal rates, improving sustainability and supporting regulatory compliance.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen from DME (dimethyl ether) by way of reforming, wherein the reforming is carried out at a pressure in the range from 15 bar to 70 bar, preferably in the range from 20 bar to 40 bar, and at a reformer exit temperature in the range from 750°C to 1050°C, and a nickel- or cobalt-based catalyst material is used for the reforming process. The invention also relates to a system for producing hydrogen from DME.