Country’s first Dimethyl Ether fuelled tractor ushers a new era clean fuel applications

Source: The post is based on the article “Country’s first Dimethyl Ether fuelled tractor ushers a new era clean fuel applications” published in PIB on 13th June 2023

What is the News?

India’s first 100% Dimethyl Ether (DME) fuelled tractor/ vehicle for on- and off-road applications has been developed by IIT Kanpur that exhibited higher thermal efficiency and lower emissions than the baseline diesel engine.

What is Dimethyl Ether(DME)?

Dimethyl ether, also known as methoxymethane, wood ether, dimethyl oxide or methyl ether, is the simplest ether. 

It is a colourless, slightly narcotic, non-toxic, highly flammable gas at ambient conditions, but can be handled as a liquid when lightly pressurized. 

Uses of Dimethyl Ether(DME)

It is used extensively in the chemical industry and as an aerosol propellant.

It is also a suitable alternative to diesel since it is renewable. It can be produced indigenously and several countries, like Japan, USA, China, Sweden, Denmark, and Korea, are already using DME to power their vehicles. 

What have researchers developed?

IIT Kanpur researchers have developed India’s first 100% Dimethyl Ether (DME) fuelled tractor/ vehicle for on- and off-road applications.

The researchers tackled the challenge of a lower calorific value of DME and higher compressibility than baseline diesel by developing a customized high-pressure mechanical fuel pump of higher pressurization capacity. 

Thus, DME technology offers a viable and eco-friendly alternative for conventional diesel engines in agriculture and transport sectors.