Alternative Fuel Technology:Why DME?
Why DME?
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.
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.
  • Black Liquor
  • Corn Stalk Waste
  • Grasses
  • Wood Wastes
  • and more
Alternative Fuel Technology

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.
  • Visit the Links and Reading Page to see how DME has attracted
    global attention.
9.  How difficult will it be to implement 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.