Dimethyl Ether: The Future of Clean Cooking Fuel in India

Researchers from CSIR-NCL have spotlighted dimethyl ether (DME) as an eco-friendly alternative to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid disruptions in West Asia that endanger supply. Using indigenously developed technology, the Pune-based lab has devised a method to produce DME efficiently, proposing it as a domestic cooking fuel substitute.

The lab has successfully tested a pilot capacity and is poised to scale up production. DME production involves methanol conversion at a feasible pressure of 10 bar, allowing its direct use in LPG cylinders. Industry collaborators are being sought to expand production on a large scale to reduce India's energy import dependency.

India’s significant fossil energy imports imply vulnerability to global supply shocks; however, DME could mitigate these. Offering cleaner combustion than conventional fuels, it aligns with India’s energy security goals and could yield substantial foreign exchange savings if adopted widely.