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Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
Article By:
Davis, Burtron H. Center for Applied Energy Research, Lexington, Kentucky.
Last reviewed:2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.YB109990
The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is composed of three subsystems: gasification, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), and upgrading to commercial products (Fig. 1). Based on the initial investment, the gasification system represents about 50% of the investment cost, with FTS representing 35% and upgrading 15%. The percentage of the investment for the gasification step increases to 65–70% for coal, with the remaining two systems divided in the same ratio as for natural gas. About 1.5% of the coal that is produced worldwide is gasified, and about half of this is used by Sasol (South African Synthetic Oils) FTS plants. It is expected that the cost for gasification of biomass will be similar to, or even higher than, that for coal, depending upon the biomass used.
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