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United States Transportation and Air Quality EPA420-F-00-036

Environmental Protection Transportation and Regional March 2002


Agency Programs Division www.epa.gov

Clean Alternative LT
E R N AT I
V

E
CLEAN

FU
Fuels:

ELS
Fischer-Tropsch
C

R
L I
EA A
NER

One in a series of fact sheets

For the past 50 years, he majority of heavy-duty vehicles on our nation’s highways today
Fischer-Tropsch fuels have
powered all of South
Africa’s vehicles—from
buses to trucks to taxicabs.
T are powered by diesel fuel. This presents enormous opportunities
for clean-burning diesel substitutes such as Fischer-Tropsch liquids.
Although they have been used to some degree since the 1920s, Fischer-Trop-
sch fuels are not widely used today—but this could change.
The fuel is primarily sup-
From Africa to South America, extensive Africa, South America, and the United
plied by Sasol, a world research and development efforts are States.
leader in Fischer-Tropsch under way to commercialize the fuels for In addition, while many alternative
vehicle use. More auto manufacturers are fuels require completely separate distribu-
technologies.
viewing Fischer-Tropsch liquids as a viable tion systems, Fischer-Tropsch fuels can use
Sasol’s South African way to use alternative fuels in diesel the existing fuel distribution infrastruc-
facility produces more than engines without compromising fuel effi- ture. This means the fuels can be trans-
150,000 barrels of high- ciency or impacting infrastructure or refu- ported in the same ships and pipelines as
eling costs. crude oil. A limited investment will be
quality fuel from domestic
Fischer-Tropsch technology converts
low-grade coal daily. The coal, natural gas, and low-value refinery
popular fuel is cost-com- products into a high-value, clean-burning
fuel. The resultant fuel is colorless, odor- *
petitive with crude oil-
less, and low in toxicity. In addition, it is
based petroleum products virtually interchangeable with convention- Actual emissions will vary with
in South Africa. During the al diesel fuels and can be blended with engine design; these numbers reflect
diesel at any ratio with little to no modifi- the potential reductions offered by
next several years, experts
cation. Fischer-Tropsch fuels offer impor- Fischer-Tropsch liquids, relative to
predict use of Fischer-Trop- conventional diesel.
tant emissions benefits compared with
sch fuels will grow as a diesel, reducing nitrogen oxide, carbon • Nitrogen oxide reductions due to
monoxide, and particulate matter. the higher cetane number and even
high-end blend stock in
further reductions with the addi-
California. tion of catalysts.
For more information on • Little to no particulate emissions
the use of Fischer-Tropsch Currently, several oil companies are due to low sulfur and aromatic con-
researching large-scale production of Fis- tent.
fuels in South Africa, visit
cher-Tropsch fuels. At least four major • Expected reductions in hydrocarbon
<www.sasol.com>. and carbon monoxide emissions.
companies have announced plans to build
pilot plants to produce synthetically * Estimates based on Fischer-Tropch’s inherent-
ly “cleaner” chemical properties with an engine
derived Fischer-Tropsch diesel fuels. that takes full advantage of these fuel proper-
Plants are currently planned for Indonesia, ties.
required, however, to maintain the ty. In addition, many alternative fuels
fuel’s purity during distribution. require major changes in vehicle For More Information
According to the California Energy engines, but Fischer-Tropsch fuels
Commission, Fischer-Tropsch fuels’ require no engine modifications. EPA Alternative Fuels Web Site
superior quality, cost, and ease of dis- Fischer-Tropsch fuels, however, are www.epa.gov/otaq/
tribution could lead to production of slightly less energy dense than consumer/fuels/altfuels/
2 to 3 million barrels per day, or 2 to petrodiesel, which might result in altfuels.htm
3 percent of worldwide refinery out- lower fuel economy and power. Fur-
put, by 2005. ther investigations of fuel compatibil- California Energy Commission
ity issues need to take place, as well. Web site: www.energy.ca.gov/
afvs/synthetic_diesel.html

According to the California Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center


Commission, Fischer-Tropsch fuels There are no reported safety issues Web site: www.afdc.nrel.gov
can cost up to 10 percent more than with Fischer-Tropsch fuels. They can
conventional diesel, depending on boost safety by using excess gas from National Alternative Fuels
market fluctuations. oil production, thereby avoiding its Hotline
disposal. Ingestion, absorption Phone: 800 423-1DOE
through skin, or other exposure
effects are likely to be similar to that
Based on available research, there are of diesel fuel.
no significant differences in Fischer-
Tropsch fuels’ performance versus
petrodiesel fuels. In fact, the higher
cetane number of Fischer-Tropsch
diesel fuel might result in improved
combustion; the cetane number is a
primary measure of diesel fuel quali-

2 Printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.

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