Cross-Hub synergies advance dimethyl ether (DME) separations

diagram of stages and passes in DME-FP, also logo for CMI and this text: Cascade purification via DME-driven fractional crystallization highlights CMI focus on material production and waste minimization
Cascade purification via DME-driven fractional crystallization highlights CMI focus on material production and waste minimization

CMI researchers at Ames National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory conducted the research for this highlight, along with researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Alliance for Water Innovation (NAWI)

Innovation 
A pair of interrelated dimethyl ether (DME) driven separations that produce solids from aqueous solutions. 

Achievement
Synergistic support to solve cross-cutting solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) challenges in mineral separations, material production, water softening, and aqueous residuals minimization.

Significance and Impact

  • CMI: New generalizable hydrometallurgical separation and waste treatment.
  • NAWI: Cost effective zero-liquid discharge (ZLD) desalination for residual management.

Hub Target Addressed 
Advancing next-generation atom- and energy-efficient separations for multiple applications.

diagram of Three-phase mechanical vapor compression (3P-MVC) system highlights NAWI focus on the DME recovery and process thermodynamics, logo for NAWI
Three-phase mechanical vapor compression (3P-MVC) system highlights NAWI focus on the DME recovery and process thermodynamics