Coal to Liquids (CTL)

America has about 27% of the world's known recoverable coal reserves.   Our coal reserves represent the equivalent of nearly 6 trillion barrels of oil.  Coal gasification and liquefaction technologies provide the ability to convert coal directly or indirectly into liquid fuels.

The gas produced as a byproduct of burning coal has been used since at least the late 1700's for lighting when it was called town gas.  Converting the synthesis gas or syngas into liquid fuels via the Fischer-Tropsch process was used extensively during the 1930's and 1940's by Germany and Japan.  Modified processes for converting the syngas to liquids are more efficient and are being used in several countries, most notably South Africa, which has been using CTL technology for decades.

The latest gasification technologies are very efficient at converting coal into syngas, practically eliminating all harmful emissions and providing the ability to capture the carbon dioxide produced during the process, which can then be sold and used for enhanced oil recovery.  Even more efficient systems are being developed that can use waste coal that would otherwise be an eyesore and pollution hazard.  Some liquefaction technologies that can convert coal directly into liquid fuels more efficiently than gasification show promise but are not yet commercially viable and require more research.

Underground coal gasification using various in situ techniques allows the production of synthesis gas without mining.  It is capable of being used on stranded or smaller coal deposits that are not commercially viable to mine and can even be used on low quality coal.

An EIA report from 2006 suggests that liquid fuels from coal can be economically competitive with crude oil prices in the range of $40 - $45 per barrel.  

Additional CTL Resources

Unconventional Fuels Task Force

UFTF Report To Congress/President

Development of America's Strategic Unconventional Resources

"From Reservoir to Refinery" and Other Educational Posters

Coal to F-T Liquids Technology

Energy Efficiency of Strategic Unconventional Resources

Carbon Management for Strategic Unconventional Resources

Volume I - Preparation Strategy, Plan, and Recommendations

Volume II - Resource-Specific and Cross-cut Plans

Volume III - Resource and Technology Profiles

Environment, Safety, and Health

Secure Fuels from Domestic Resources

FutureGen Initiative

DOE Coal Gasification Program

DOE Coal and Natural Gas Publications

Idaho National Laboratory Project

World Coal Institute - Coal: Liquid Fuels

Coal and other Fossil Energy R&D Projects

Coal to Liquids - An Alternative Oil Supply