Overview
- CSIR-NCL says a 2.5 t/day demonstration facility will come up within six to nine months to pave the way for commercial plants in the tens to hundreds of tonnes per day range, with industry partnerships under discussion.
- India’s IS 18698:2024 standard allows up to 20% DME blending with LPG, and researchers say up to 8% substitution works with existing cylinders, regulators and burners without modification.
- The patented methanol-to-DME technology has run at a 250 kg/day pilot and produces DME at about 10 bar, enabling direct filling into LPG cylinders with minimal operational cost impact.
- A patented flex-fuel burner developed by CSIR-NCL operates from 100% LPG to 100% DME, with efficiency validated at the LPG Equipment Research Centre in Bengaluru.
- Researchers estimate an 8% DME share could save roughly ₹9,500 crore in foreign exchange each year, requiring around 1,300 tonnes per day of DME to cover households under the Ujjwala scheme.