DME blended LPG as a cooking fuel option for Indian household: A review

This paper reviews the present scenario of cooking fuel in India. Increasing demand of LPG and its impact on Indian economy has been discussed. In context to the current cooking fuel scenario in India, DME blended LPG has been recognized as a potential fuel substitute for LPG. To analyse the potential of DME as a fuel, the review compares its properties with those of propane, butane and natural gas that are relevant to combustion application. Current status of DME combustion research, related to combustion mechanism, laminar burning velocity and characteristics of premixed and diffused flames of DME has been reviewed in detail. Current status of DME–LPG blend performance has also been reviewed. Based on this current review, bio-DME has been identified as most suitable form of DME production for India. However, need for further optimization of DME–LPG blend ratio, development of reduced mechanism for DME–LPG oxidation, further study of DME diffusion flame and development of DME–LPG blend dedicated burner has been identified as major challenges towards making DME as a substitute blending fuel for LPG.