Patent ID: 7910630

Claim:
Process for the preparation of dimethyl ether product by catalytic conversion of synthesis gas to dimethyl ether comprising the steps of: contacting a stream of synthesis gas comprising carbon dioxide in a dimethyl ether synthesis step in one or more reactors and with one or more catalysts being active in formation of methanol and dehydration of methanol to dimethyl ether, to form a product mixture comprising the dimethyl ether and carbon dioxide; washing the product mixture in a scrubbing zone with a liquid solvent being rich in dialkyl ether of a polyalkylene glycol and thereby dissolving carbon dioxide and dimethyl ether in the liquid solvent; treating the liquid solvent being withdrawn from the scrubbing zone sequentially in separation zone to effect desorption of the dissolved carbon dioxide and to recover a substantially pure dimethyl ether product and the liquid solvent in its substantially lean form; and recycling the lean liquid solvent to the scrubbing zone.