Gas-to-liquid an answer to crude oil
Countries are increasingly looking to reduce their dependence on crude oil as a source of energy for a number of reasons, both environmental and political in nature. Gas-to-liquid (GTL) is an attractive alternative fuel since it reduces pollutant emissions without sacrificing fuel efficiency. However, GTL is not currently viable due to the high costs associated with its production. Yet if the scientists who participated in the SYNFUELS have their way, GTL may soon become much cheaper. A multidisciplinary team of chemists, physicists, mathematicians and engineers attacked the problem. Partial oxidation of methane into synthesis gas was improved by the introduction of a non-equilibrium plasma catalyst. This allows conversion to occur at lower temperatures, avoiding the need for the costly infrastructure of current systems. In addition, the application of dielectric barrier discharge achieves greater conversion efficiency. Coupled with Fisher-Tropsch synthesis, the two-step process produces more GTL per natural gas input than existing methods. SYNFUELS participants also created a new small-scale reactor for pilot tests. The reactor is of type silicon carbide monolith and is extremely durable, even in the most hostile operating environment. Experimental data gathered with the reactor agreed well with numerical modelling results. The earth's crude oil reserves are finite. New sources of energy, more friendly toward the environment, exist and must be exploited. The results of SYNFUELS are a step in the right direction for GTL. The project participants request additional funding and partnerships to reach the 'proof of concept' stage of development.