Mass spectrometric investigation of the low-temperature dimethyl ether oxidation in an atmospheric pressure laminar flow reactor

Low-temperature combustion is a major strategy today to reduce both soot and NOx emission. Kinetic reaction models for low-temperature combustion which are validated against a wide range of experimental data are necessary e.g. for control purposes or as a basis for subsequent model reduction. In this study, the low-temperature oxidation of dimethyl ether in a highly diluted gas mixture was investigated experimentally in an atmospheric laminar flow reactor. The respective gas composition was analyzed by a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This technique allows detection of all species simultaneously within the investigated temperature regime. Stoichiometries of phi = 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 were studied with high temperature resolution in the range of 400-1200 K, and quantitative species mole fraction profiles have been determined. This wide temperature range comprises the different kinetic regimes occurring during the DME oxidation, which have been clearly resolved. The distinct negative temperature coefficient (NTC) region of the system was observed and extensive speciation is available. Special attention is given to species only occurring in the low-temperature region including formic acid and methyl formate. (C) 2012 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.