Katerina Swanson
Synthetic diesel fuel is a clean-burning, sulfur-free fuel with a potentially long future. It is made by reconfiguring natural gas or coal into liquid diesel fuel through a process known as Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. This technology was first developed in the 1920s and has been refined over the years. Synthetic diesel fuel can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications and offers significant reductions in regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM. The production of synthetic diesel is relatively expensive, but with increased production capacity, the price is expected to become more competitive. E-diesel is another form of synthetic diesel fuel created from carbon dioxide, water, and electricity using renewable energy sources, resulting in a carbon-neutral fuel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feedstock | Carbon-containing feedstocks such as natural gas, coal, biomass, or water and carbon dioxide |
| Production Process | Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, Mobil process (Methanol-To-Gasoline), gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology, coal-to-liquids (CTL), biomass-to-liquids (BTL), electrofuels |
| Emissions | Significant reduction in regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM. Can virtually eliminate HC, CO, and PM emissions from diesel trucks. |
| Sulfur Content | Practically zero sulfur content, making it compatible with sulfur-sensitive exhaust technologies |
| Greenhouse Gas Emissions | Coal-to-liquids (CTL) without carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) has a higher carbon footprint than conventional fuels. Biomass-to-liquids with CCS can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Performance | Very high cetane number, excellent properties |
| Compatibility | Can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications or mixed with petroleum diesel |
| Cost | Expected to cost 20-50 cents more per gallon than conventional No. 2 diesel |
| Commercialization | Environmental concerns are an obstacle due to no discernible greenhouse gas benefit relative to petroleum diesel unless specific conditions are met |
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What You'll Learn
- Synthetic diesel fuel is made from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal
- Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a process that converts natural gas into diesel fuel
- Synthetic diesel fuel has no sulfur content, making it compatible with sulfur-sensitive exhaust technologies
- E-diesel is a type of synthetic diesel fuel created from carbon dioxide, water, and electricity
- Synthetic diesel fuel is expected to cost 20-50 cents more per gallon than conventional diesel
Synthetic diesel fuel is made from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal
Synthetic diesel fuel is a liquid fuel, or sometimes a gaseous fuel, obtained from syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Syngas is derived from the gasification of solid feedstocks such as coal or biomass or by reforming natural gas. Synthetic diesel fuel is made from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal.
The process of producing synthetic diesel fuel from natural gas or coal was developed by Fischer and Tropsch in the 1920s. The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process involves syngas reacting in the presence of a catalyst, transforming into liquid products (primarily diesel fuel and jet fuel) and potentially waxes. Synthetic diesel fuels are characterised by excellent properties, such as a very high cetane number and no sulfur content. They can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications or mixed with petroleum diesel.
The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process is one of the primary technologies that produce synthetic fuel from syngas, along with the Mobil process (also known as Methanol-To-Gasoline, or MTG). The process of producing synfuels through indirect conversion is often referred to as coal-to-liquids (CTL), gas-to-liquids (GTL) or biomass-to-liquids (BTL), depending on the initial feedstock.
Several studies have found significant reductions in all regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM, when using synthetic fuel. However, FT fuels manufactured from natural gas bring no discernible greenhouse gas benefit relative to petroleum diesel. Only FT fuels made using renewable feedstocks and/or renewable energy have the potential to reduce life cycle CO2 emissions relative to petroleum fuels.
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Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is a process that converts natural gas into diesel fuel
Synthetic diesel fuels are fuels that are made from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal. The process for creating synthetic diesel fuel was developed by Fischer and Tropsch in the 1920s and has since been further developed by oil companies.
The primary process for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is the Synthol Process. The synthesis gas goes into the reactor at 2.2 MPa of pressure and 315-330°C. The product leaves the reactor, where the catalyst is recovered, oils are removed by a hydrocarbon scrubber, and the tail gas is recovered. The gas part is recycled, and the rest of the material is then distilled into gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel fractions. The Synthol reactor is a fluid bed reactor that uses an iron-based catalyst.
The Fischer-Tropsch process is an important reaction in both coal liquefaction and gas-to-liquids technology for producing liquid hydrocarbons. It has been used to produce liquid hydrocarbon fuels for the German war effort during World War II and to supply significant quantities of hydrocarbon fuel and chemicals to South Africa during the apartheid era. Today, some coal-producing states in the United States and India have invested in Fischer-Tropsch plants.
The Fischer-Tropsch process can be used to produce high-quality diesel fuel with a cetane number ≥ 70, which is ideal for diesel engines. It is also used to produce jet fuel that is low in aromatic and sulfur content.
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Synthetic diesel fuel has no sulfur content, making it compatible with sulfur-sensitive exhaust technologies
Synthetic diesel fuel is a type of fuel that can be made from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal. The process for creating synthetic diesel fuel was developed by Fischer and Tropsch in the 1920s and has since been refined by oil companies. This process is known as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, and it involves converting biomass, coal, or natural gas into a mix of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, known as syngas, through gasification or steam methane reforming. The syngas is then processed into a liquid transportation fuel.
One of the key characteristics of synthetic diesel fuel is its lack of sulfur content. This is advantageous as it makes the fuel compatible with a range of sulfur-sensitive exhaust technologies, such as catalytic particulate filters and NOx adsorbers. The absence of sulfur also contributes to a reduction in harmful emissions from diesel combustion. For example, several studies have found significant reductions in regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM, when using synthetic fuel.
The compatibility of synthetic diesel fuel with sulfur-sensitive exhaust technologies is particularly important for meeting emissions standards and reducing the environmental impact of diesel engines. By using synthetic diesel fuel in conjunction with these exhaust technologies, it becomes possible to virtually eliminate HC, CO, and PM emissions from diesel vehicles. This was demonstrated in a 2005 dynamometer study, which showed a 10% increase in fuel consumption but a significant reduction in emissions when using synthetic fuel.
Furthermore, the lack of sulfur content in synthetic diesel fuel can also have benefits in terms of engine performance and fuel efficiency. While the process of reducing sulfur content can decrease the lubricating properties of the fuel, it also enables the use of advanced emissions control devices that may be damaged by the presence of sulfur. This trade-off between lubricity and emissions control has been managed through the adoption of lubricity specifications, such as the ASTM D975 standard, to ensure the proper functioning of diesel engines while still meeting emissions targets.
Overall, the absence of sulfur content in synthetic diesel fuel is a significant advantage, making it compatible with sulfur-sensitive exhaust technologies and contributing to reduced emissions and improved engine performance.
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E-diesel is a type of synthetic diesel fuel created from carbon dioxide, water, and electricity
Synthetic diesel fuels are fuels that are created from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal. They are characterised by very high cetane numbers and no sulfur content. They can be used in existing diesel engines without any modifications and can also be mixed with petroleum diesel.
Currently, e-diesel is created at two sites: by an Audi research facility in Germany, in partnership with a company called Sunfire, and in Texas. Sunfire is a clean technology company that operates a pilot plant in Dresden, Germany. The combined plant of Climeworks and Sunfire in Dresden became operational in November 2014. As of April 2015, an Audi A8 driven by the Federal Minister of Education and Research in Germany is using e-diesel fuel.
Audi has also partnered with other companies to develop e-diesel. They partnered with the now-defunct United States company, Joule, to develop Sunflow-D as e-diesel. Joule's planned plant in New Mexico involved using genetically modified microorganisms in bright sunlight to act as a catalyst for the conversion of carbon dioxide and salty water into hydrocarbons. Audi also works with Climeworks, a Zurich-based company that manufactures Direct Air Capture technology. Climeworks technologies can absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide which is chemically captured at the surface of a sorbent. This carbon dioxide can then be used during the conversion step of the blue crude generation process.
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Synthetic diesel fuel is expected to cost 20-50 cents more per gallon than conventional diesel
Synthetic diesel fuel, also known as e-diesel, is a liquid fuel with the same properties as fossil fuels but is artificially produced. It was first developed in the 1920s by German chemists Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch and has since been further developed by oil companies. The Fischer-Tropsch process involves converting carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal, into a mix of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, known as syngas, which is then processed into liquid transportation fuel. This process can also be used to produce jet fuel and potentially waxes.
Synthetic diesel fuel has several advantages over conventional diesel. It has a very high cetane number and practically zero sulfur content, making it compatible with a range of sulfur-sensitive exhaust gas aftertreatment technologies. Several studies have also found significant reductions in regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM, when using synthetic fuel. Additionally, synthetic diesel fuel can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications or mixed with petroleum diesel.
Despite these advantages, synthetic diesel fuel is expected to cost 20-50 cents more per gallon than conventional diesel. This is due to the complex, costly, and energy-intensive manufacturing process of synthetic fuel. The profitability of synthetic fuel production is also highly dependent on crude oil prices, with higher crude oil prices making synthetic fuel relatively more economical.
The high cost of synthetic diesel fuel presents a barrier to its uptake, especially with the availability of cheaper alternatives like battery electric vehicles (BEVs). However, BEVs also have their limitations, such as high manufacturing costs that may exclude low-income groups from adopting the technology. Synthetic fuels are thus seen as a potential "social bridge" in the global energy transition, offering a solution for those who cannot afford BEVs but still wish to reduce their environmental impact.
While synthetic diesel fuel may be more expensive, it is important to consider the potential environmental benefits. Synthetic fuels produced using renewable feedstocks and/or renewable energy have the ability to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions relative to petroleum fuels. Additionally, some synthetic diesel fuels, such as e-diesel, are considered carbon-neutral as they do not extract new carbon and are powered by renewable energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Synthetic diesel fuel is a type of fuel that can be made from carbon-containing feedstocks, such as natural gas or coal. It is created by converting these feedstocks into a mix of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, known as syngas, which is then processed into liquid transportation fuel.
The process of making synthetic diesel fuel is known as the Fischer-Tropsch process, which was first developed in 1923 by German chemists Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch. This process involves converting natural gas or coal into syngas, which is then reacted in the presence of a catalyst to transform it into liquid products, primarily diesel fuel.
Synthetic diesel fuel offers several benefits over traditional diesel fuel. It has very low sulfur content, making it compatible with sulfur-sensitive exhaust gas aftertreatment technologies. It also has a high cetane number and can be used in existing diesel engines without modifications. Synthetic diesel fuel has been shown to significantly reduce regulated diesel emissions, including NOx and PM. Additionally, it offers a potentially unlimited supply of clean-burning, sulfur-free diesel fuel.
