Direct Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Operation Using a Dimethyl Ether/Air Fuel Mixture

摘要

The electrochemical performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operating directly with pure dimethyl ether (DME), DME + air, and DME + N_2 was studied for temperatures ranging from 550 to 650 deg C. The power densities achieved for DME + air operation at 550 deg C were approximately 70 and 112 percent greater than those for pure DME and DME + N_2, respectively. Kinetic modeling and mass spectrometry data indicated adding oxygen (via air) to DME promoted decomposition into primarily H_7. CO. and CH_4. The increased performance achieved for SOFCs utilizing the DME + air fuel mixture was attributed to oxygen promoted decomposition of DME.