The startup also proceeded without injury or environmental incidents. During 1998, catalyst life significantly improved due primarily to the elimination of trace iron contamination, which may have been caused by construnction debris in the system, and to lower operating temperatures to meet production rates. In March 1999, an inspection of all pressure vessels revealed no problems with erosion or corrosion. Analytical work performed immediately after the guard bed systems change confirmed that the levels of arsenic in the feed gas had been reduced to very low levels. The effect of this change on catalyst performance and the level of all potential poisons will continue to be monitored during the ongoing plant operation.
Methanol contains no sulfur and has exceptionally low NO x characteristics when burned.
DME has several commercial uses. In a storable blend with methanol, the mixture can be used as peaking fuel in IGCC electric power generating facilities. Blends of methanol and DME can also be used as a chemical feedstock for the synthesis of chemicals or new, oxygenate fuel additives. Pure DME is an environmentally friendly aerosol for personal products.