Energy · 1925

Fischer-Tropsch process

Coal-derived syngas is converted into liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch developed catalytic synthesis of liquid fuels from carbon monoxide and hydrogen in Germany in 1925. Germany used it for wartime fuel, South Africa's Sasol built large plants from 1955, and it now underpins gas-to-liquids and synthetic aviation fuel projects.

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