Initiating temperature (To) and activation energy (Ea) for thermal oxidation of dimethyl ether (DME) was measured with accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC)The effect of additives on DME thermal stability was studiedThe product of DME thermal decomposition was analyzed with GCMSThe results indicated that the initiating temperature of DME oxidation was 120℃
activation energy was 167.3 kJ·mol-1 in vacuumDME stability was dramatically reduced in the presence of oxygenThe addition of Fe
Fe2 O3 and Al also decreased To and Ea of DME oxidation reaction
especially in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or other organic peroxides which can easy initiate the formation of free radicalsIn contrast
the presence of antioxidant can enhance DME thermal stability.