Thermodynamic analysis and experimental verification of hydrogen production from dimethyl ether partial oxidation reforming

Thermodynamic analysis was carried out for theoretical reaction of hydrogen produced from dimethyl ether (DME) partial oxidation reforming by using the element-potential method. The gas concentrations in the product gas were calculated under the constant-pressure and adiabatic condition as a function of air-to-DME ratio (0.5-4) and pressure (0.1-0.5 MPa). The result proves that H₂ concentration decreases with increasing of pressure. H₂ concentration produces from DME partial oxidation reaction is the largest under atmosphere when air-to-DME ratio is about 3. The maximum is about 35%. By increasing air-to-DME ratio, H₂ concentration increases firstly and then decreases, and CO concentration doesn't changes obviously, and the concentration of CO₂ and CH₄ decreased respectively. Adiabatic temperature increases with increasing of air-to-DME ratio. At last, the experiment of hydrogen-rich gas produces from plasma reforming of DME is carried out on self-made equipments to verify the analysis, it proves that the concentration of H₂, CO, CO₂ and CH₄ as a function of air-to-DME ratio analyzed by the element-potential method is almost in agreement with the experimental result.