The Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane are converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms. Iron or cobalt are generally used as the catalyst. The principal purpose of this process is to produce a synthetic petroleum substitute.

The original Fischer-Tropsch process is as follows:

The resulting hydrocarbon products are then refined to produce the desired fuels.

Since the invention of the original process, many refinements and adjustments have been made, and the term "Fischer-Tropsch" now applies to a wide variety of similar processes.

The Fischer-Tropsch process was used by Germany during World War II to produce alternative fuels. The carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is generated by partial oxidation of coal and wood-based fuels. It is today used in South Africa to produce most of the country's diesel fuel from coal by the company Sasol. The process was used in South Africa to meet its energy needs, during its isolation under Apartheid.

It is expected by geologists that supplies of natural gas will peak 5-15 years after oil does. There are large but finite coal reserves which may increasingly be used as a fuel source during oil depletion. Since there are large but finite coal reserves in the world, this technology could be used as an interim transportation fuel if conventional oil were to disappear. There are several companies developing the process to enable practical exploitation of so-called stranded gas reserves, those reserves which are impractical to exploit with conventional gas pipelines and LNG technology.

See also

• non-conventional oil
• Hubbert peak
• Future energy development

External links

• Development of the modern Fischer-Tropsch process (1958-1999)