Coolant for refrigerating stations Dimethyl ether mixed with ammonia (mass ratio 40%/60%) can be used in freezing equipment. Coolant is designated as R723.
Application of this mixture as a coolant increases cooling capacity of refrigerating station. Limited solubility of mineral oil in R723 and possibility of working with copper (corrosion mitigation) allow to create a small-capacity station more effective than those with currently existing coolants.With replacing 40% ammonia by DME in the existing refrigerating stations it is possible to obtain reduction of ammonia consumption by the station without loss of efficiency.
Medicine
Dimethyl ether is increasingly used as a part of substances for local anaesthesia (numbing for treatment of athletic injuries), as a cosmetic agent to remove warts and as an extractant of active substances of plant and animal feedstock.
Construction foam
Dimethyl ether is one of the most widespread propellants in production of polyurethane construction foams, since it enables manufacturers to complete two tasks at the same time: both propellant and solvent are injected at the same time.
The advantages of DME use:
- co-propellant;
- good solvent for the fluoropolymer;
- extends shelf life of the final product;
- regulates foam viscosity and structure;
- formulation with DME allows to optimize winter compositions.
Extruded Polystyrene
Due to high propagation factor the use of dimethyl ether in production of extruded polystyrene (XPS) allows to produce boards with the specified parameters at lower prime cost.
The advantages of DME use:
- refusal of additional application of other solvents (ethanol, acetone);
- possibility to replace expensive freon allows to reduce prime cost;
- high propagation factor allows to produce boards with lower density what reduces prime cost; production of boards of
- higher thickness (up to 100 mm and higher) with improved compressive strength;
- enhancement of heat insulation properties;
- reduction of СО2 emissions into the atmosphere;
Spray paints
The main advantage of dimethyl ether is its solvency power therefore it is widely used as a propellant for paint aerosols and enhances product properties.
The advantages of DME use:
- both propellant and solvent;
- faster drying due to quick evaporation of DME;
- reduced formation of tears;
- formation of uniform film;
- less paint for same result; no odour;
- higher partial pressure compared to propane, butane.
