| Using our natural resources wisely is never a bad thing, | | | | synthetic crude oil is produced. The product can be |
| which is why many companies and consumers alike | | | | filtered and cleaned to create liquid fuel. |
| have begun considering the coal to liquids process as | | | | Although any of those three processes can be used |
| a way to curb both high gas prices and environmental | | | | to turn coal to liquids, the most common is the |
| pollution. While fuel itself may not be a naturally | | | | Fischer-Tropsch method. Opponents of this particular |
| occurring substance, coal is, and turning it into | | | | method, and of the idea of turning coal to liquids in |
| something we can all use will be beneficial to both our | | | | general, claim that the process allows a sizeable |
| wallets and our ecosystem. Learning more about the | | | | amount of carbon dioxide to permeate the |
| coal to liquids process is essential for it to increase in | | | | atmosphere. It is true that the Fischer-Tropsch method |
| popularity, and thus have a chance at becoming the | | | | produces carbon dioxide, and that it must be removed |
| next way to fuel our cars. | | | | from the resulting liquid fuel before it can be called a |
| Coal can be turned into liquid fuel in a few ways. | | | | clean fuel and sold on the market. However, experts |
| Indirect liquefaction is just one way to do so. It requires | | | | have come up with a solution to this potential problem. |
| that the coal first be converted to synthesis gas, | | | | They propose that the carbon dioxide be sequestered |
| hereafter referred to as syngas. It is made up of | | | | during the process, which would involve keeping that |
| hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and it less dense than | | | | particular gas underground. After the coal is turned to |
| natural gas. Syngas must then be converted to liquid | | | | gas, there is a cavity left under the earth's surface |
| fuel, and there are two ways to do this. The | | | | where the solid coal once was. The carbon dioxide |
| Fischer-Tropsch process is the most popular method | | | | that is filtered out of the liquid gas could be stored in |
| of indirect liquefaction. This procedure begins by | | | | this large empty space, ensuring that it never reaches |
| eliminating any impurities from the syngas, such as | | | | the atmosphere. |
| sulfur and mercury, and then further filtering the gas so | | | | Despite questions about the coal to liquids technology, |
| that the product is gasoline or diesel that is free of | | | | recent research has found that its benefits outweigh |
| contamination. | | | | any possible issues with it. The US currently imports |
| Another method of indirect liquefaction is the Mobil | | | | over half of its oil, and most people would agree that |
| process, which involves natural gas first being changed | | | | eliminating our reliance on other countries for our |
| to syngas, which is then changed to methanol. The | | | | energy source would be a positive step. Not only |
| product is dehydrated and converted to liquid gas. The | | | | would it make gasoline more accessible to this |
| name of the process might sound familiar; this method | | | | country's citizens, but it would also greatly decrease |
| was created by Mobil in the 1970s as an alternative to | | | | the cost. Our nation currently has over 250 billion tons |
| the Fischer-Tropsch process. However, there is yet | | | | of coal, all of which could be used to our advantage |
| another possible way for coal to become liquid fuel. | | | | when it comes to providing a new energy source. |
| Direct liquefaction is the other way to change coal to | | | | Several companies are ready to convert entirely to |
| liquids, and is mainly comprised of removing the carbon | | | | the coal to liquids process, and are currently outfitting |
| that is naturally inside coal, and replacing it with the | | | | plants around the world in preparation for it to become |
| hydrogen that it lacks. With this method, coal comes in | | | | the mainstream source of gasoline. Those who have |
| direct contact with a catalyst while being raised to | | | | been working with coal to liquids for years are excited |
| extremely high temperatures. Hydrogen is then | | | | about this prospect. All that remains is educating the |
| introduced in its pressurized environment until a | | | | public about the ways in which it can benefit everyone. |