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 studied.The product of DME thermal decomposition was analyzed with GC-MS.The results indicated that the initiating temperature of DME oxidation was 120℃,activation energy was 167.3 kJ·mol-1 in vacuum.DME stability was dramatically reduced in the presence of oxygen.The addition of Fe,Fe2O3 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 radicals.In contrast,the presence of antioxidant can enhance DME thermal stability.
