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The complete set of technologies for producing DMMn from methanol and formaldehyde has been appraised. Author/Source: ChemNet China. Date: December 10, 2021. Number of views: 1. Recently, the “new process for coupling and intensification of the production of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (DMMn) from methanol and formaldehyde,” developed by Caree Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. and Tianjin University, has passed the appraisal of scientific and technological achievements organized by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation. The appraisal expert group believes that the technical achievement related to the synthesis of DMMn using polyoxymethylene features advanced and reliable process parameters, strong applicability, and its overall process technology is at an internationally advanced level. In particular, the process of producing polyoxymethylene through extractive distillation coupling is a first in China. The successful development of this technology is of great significance for enhancing the advanced level of China’s DMMn technology. Shu Xingtian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, pointed out that this project developed a new process for the coupling of anhydrous polyoxymethylene, invented key technologies and processes for enhancing performance through the use of specialized tower internals for reactive extraction distillation, as well as new dual-functional modified resin catalysts; as a result, key technologies for enhancing the efficiency of the process for converting methanol and formaldehyde into DMMn were created, with independent intellectual property rights. This project has also overcome the problems existing in existing production processes, such as low reaction efficiency, uneven gas-liquid distribution within the tower, difficulty in controlling the reaction process, inaccurate simulation results, high energy consumption in the process, and low economic viability of the product. Compared with similar technologies in China, the reaction conversion rate has been significantly improved, with the product purity reaching over 99 wt%. Mao Jinchí, the project leader and chief engineer at Kerui Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., explained that this project is a sub-project under a key research and development initiative, and the development of a complete set of technical processes for an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons of DMMn has already been completed. This technology makes full use of the methanol-to-polyDMMn process in coal chemical enterprises, extending the industrial chain. It is of great significance for improving the level of DMMn production techniques in China, enhancing the quality of diesel fuel – particularly the performance of special oils in high-altitude areas – and reducing air pollution. It is understood that DMMn is an internationally recognized new oxygen-containing environmental-friendly diesel additive for reducing smoke emissions and improving diesel quality ； Its cetane number reaches 76, and its oxygen content is 47%–50%. It contains no sulfur or aromatic hydrocarbons. When blended into diesel fuel at a rate of 10%–20%, it can significantly lower the cold filter plugging point of diesel. It also improves the combustion quality of diesel in engines, enhances thermal efficiency, and greatly reduces exhaust smoke emissions from engines. Mixing it into diesel does not require any modifications to the vehicle’s engine system, and DMM2, DMM3, and DMM4 are also excellent solvents with very strong dissolving capabilities.