Decarbonisation Technology - November 2021

Continued dependence on refinery-produced crude products for fuelling transportation is felt by many to be a threat to energy security

Transportation applications The continued dependence on refinery-produced crude products for fuelling the transportation sector is felt by many countries to be a threat to energy security, along with their associated detrimental environmental impacts and a potential drain on economic resources. By offering a practical alternative to diesel that helps to improve air quality without compromising efficiency, GTL has the potential to change the future of transportation fuel usage across the world. While many longer-term diesel transportation strategies at fleet level might elect to focus on engine modifications and even carbon offsetting, GTL fuel can be used in many circumstances as a direct replacement for conventional diesel fuels in heavy-duty and light-duty engines without the need for engine modifications, new infrastructure or vehicle investment. As a drop-in fuel, GTL is readily available now to make an immediate impact. While supply of GTL to retail forecourts is far from established, GTL fuelling for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) is starting to become available, with one of the primary benefits – apart from the environmental ones – being that little investment is needed in infrastructure modifications. And as a senior executive at Certas Energy, one of the largest fuel distributors in the United Kingdom, succinctly remarked, “as GTL is a drop-in fuel, every car is potentially a GTL car”, speculating that there is a powerful case for retail GTL as a solution to the demonisation of diesel engines.

that GTL fuels can reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 37% and particulate matter (PM) by 50% compared to conventional diesel – both known to aggravate respiratory conditions. 1 And cleaner emissions mean better air quality. Colourless and odourless, GTL fuel is an all- year round ‘winter-grade’ fuel, improving cold starts in engines. It also has greater ignition properties due to its higher cetane number, so delivers improved power and higher reliability than conventional diesel – ultimately meaning fewer breakdowns. As the raw resource for GTL fuels, natural gas is also abundant, with new reserves continually being developed, and a plentiful supply available for decades to come. Add to this the fact that GTL fuel can be treated in many instances as a direct substitute for conventional diesel for most transportation types, without the need for engine modifications (known as a ‘drop-in’ fuel), and there is a very compelling proposition for GTL as an interim alternative. It is easy to recognise the huge potential for GTL as a clean transportation fuel source, particularly in highly populated areas. GTL also has the advantage that it is easier and more economically viable to transport. Unlike liquefied natural gas (LNG), it remains in a liquid state at or close to ambient conditions. It doesn’t have to be maintained at -160⁰C to remain liquid and no special containers are required – just existing infrastructure.