Pecologix Political Ecology Blotter

BTL-FT processes for hydrocarbon production from syngas obtained from biomass gasification are becoming increasingly trendy as suitable alternatives to produce various high quality fuels for different applications. Many investigations are ongoing to test the suitability of biomass syngas for FTS using the traditionally employed catalysts. The choice of catalysts for these processes is normally restricted [...]

Rising fuel costs, an increasing desire to enhance security of energy supply, and potential environmental benefits have driven research into alternative renewable fuels for commercial aviation applications. This paper reports the results of the first measurements of particulate matter (PM) emissions from a CFM56-7B commercial jet engine burning conventional and alternative biomass- and, Fischer–Tropsch (F-T)-based [...]

The potential of syngas fermentation using acetogenic, hydrogenogenic and methanogenic organisms have been surveyed. A vast variety of biofuels and biochemicals including ethanol, acetate, hydrogen, butanol, butyrate, methane and etc. have been produced from gaseous substrates using microbial catalysts. The role of various parameters including medium composition, fermentation pH, trace elements, reducing agents and mass [...]

This article investigates the environmental profile and costs of woody BTL production and use by reviewing existing LCA studies. The findings reveal that BTL from sustainably managed forest biomass and woody waste may have a lower overall environmental impact than fossil diesel. The benefits of using BTL instead of fossil diesel are largely due to [...]

We investigate the economics of coal-to-liquid (CTL) conversion, a polygeneration technology that produces liquid fuels, chemicals, and electricity by coal gasification and Fischer–Tropsch process. CTL is more expensive than extant technologies when producing the same bundle of output. In addition, the significant carbon footprint of CTL may raise environmental concerns. However, as petroleum prices rise, [...]

This short critical review summarises and analyses the developments in Fischer–Tropsch catalysis using bimetallic alloys. We introduce a simple notation for such catalysts, and monitor the reports of synergistic effects and composition/performance relationships. Special attention is given to CoFe alloys on a variety of supports, and to the effects of catalyst preparation methods and pre-treatment [...]

Carbon sources, such as coal, natural gas, biomass and waste, can be converted into transportation fuels by combining appropriate gasification, Fischer–Tropsch and refining technologies. Efficient refining of the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis derived syncrude requires a different approach to refinery design than commonly applied to crude oil refinery design. The design of refineries to optimise the production [...]