Abstract
M.Phil. (Energy Studies)
Liquid fuels provide in a large percentage of South
Africa's energy requirements. Because of the vastness of
the country no other means of propelling transport could
take the place of liquid fuel. South Africa who has for a
substantial period found herself being officially cut-off
from international crude oil (embargo) and other
commodities such as capital, had up to ± 1991 survive this
onslaught. Alternatives for the substitution of crude oil
derived products (mostly liquid fuels) has been under
investigation for many years, internationally as well as
locally~ Because of the recent change in the situation,
the approach to new investment in this field will now only
be effected should it be economically more attractive than
investment in the traditional crude oil processes.
This study was specifically aimed at, from a South African
viewpoint, summarizing various applicable liquid fuel
manufacturing processes and related raw material resources,
and comparing these processes both from an economic and
technological angle with that of crude oil refining.
The following resources were investigated:
Coal, torbanite, sugar (from sugar cane), natural gas and
sunflower seeds. Processes such as coal to fuels
(Fischer-Tropsch, coal hydrogenation, solvent extraction),
metanol to fuels (MTG-process), metanol ex natural gas
(Mobil-M), methanol ex coal, ethanol ex sugar, natural gas
to fuels (Fischer-Tropsch, Shell-SMOS), esters (diesel) ex
sunflower seeds, fuels ex torbanite via retorting were
researched.
Aspects covering the availability of resources, degree of
commercialisation of processes, product quality and
fuel/engine compatibility and general economic and
technological guidelines were covered in the study.