syntheticfuel

Synthetic fuel, or synfuel, is a liquid or gaseous fuel manufactured from non-petroleum feedstocks through chemical processes rather than refined crude oil. Common feedstocks include coal, natural gas, biomass, and captured carbon dioxide. Synfuels are designed to be compatible with existing engines and fuel infrastructure as drop-in replacements for conventional fuels.

Most established production routes begin with gasification of the feedstock to produce synthesis gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide) and a subsequent synthesis step that converts syngas into hydrocarbons. The Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is a primary method, giving gas-to-liquids (GTL), coal-to-liquids (CTL), or biomass-to-liquids (BTL) fuels. Power-to-liquid (PtL) uses renewable electricity to generate hydrogen and combines it with captured carbon dioxide to form syngas and liquids. Other routes include methanol-to-fuels.

Synfuels can be used for transportation in aviation, shipping, and road transport. They offer liquid fuels with high energy density and, in some configurations, the ability to utilize existing engines and distribution systems. The environmental profile varies widely depending on feedstock and energy source; low-carbon synfuels require renewable electricity and sustainable feedstocks to achieve meaningful emission reductions.

Economic viability is a major challenge; production costs are typically higher than conventional fuels, though policy incentives, carbon pricing, and fuel mandates can alter this balance. Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions depend on feedstock mix, process energy sources, and carbon capture use. Research and policy continue to weigh the role of synfuels in decarbonization and energy security.