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

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