Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/164136
Fuel Factoid By Tom Kelley Real Renewable? E arlier this summer, Volvo unveiled a DME-powered truck that shows real-world possibilities for biobased fuels. Dimethyl Ether (DME) is a non-toxic fuel that can be produced from a variety of bio-based feedstocks, as well as from natural gas. Cost, scalability and material handling issues have long been the down-side to many alternative fuels, especially bio-based fuels like biodiesel. DME appears to address all of these issues. DME requires a much lower storage pressures than natural gas, so the cost Volvo Working On Practical Biofuel of the truck fuel system and refueling equipment is far lower than for natural processing plant can cost-effectively produce gas. The lower pressure, similar to that of fuel for a fleet as small as 50-60 trucks. Since propane, also means that the DME fuel can the packaged DME plants are sized for optibe transported cost-effectively. The chemical mum efficiency, scaling production upwards makeup of DME also eliminates the need for is just a matter of installing additional plants EGR and DPF emission control equipment to match the supply of feedstock. on the truck. Volvo is partnering in its DME testing DME's biggest advantage is that it can be with the Safeway grocery chain. In addition produced from waste products, virtually elimto running a large truck fleet, Safeway also inating the cost of raw feedstock. DME feedgenerates a consistent supply of food waste, stocks include animal manure, food waste, putting production and consumption of the wastewater treatment byproducts and landfill DME fuel "under one roof." gas. Most regions have an excess supply of at DME appears to have beaten the cost and least one of these feedstocks. Pipeline-sourced scalability problems associated with most natural gas can balance out any variation in other alternative fuels, so the Volvo project the supply of these feedstocks. may finally bring bio-based truck fuel into On the low-end, a small package DME the realm of practical reality. OO / OWNER OPERATOR / SEPTEMBER 2013 / / 48 OO 0913 text.indd 48 8/7/13 8:34 AM