3116.     ---------------.  [SCHROEDER, W. C.]  Comparison of Major Processes for Synthetic Liquid Fuels.  Chem. Inds., vol. 62, No. 4, 1948, pp. 575-577, 682.

        Three processes for the production of synthetic liquid fuels -- oil shale retorting, Fischer-Tropsch gas synthesis process using coal, and coal hydrogenation -- are compared with respect to the types of fuels produced, the state of development of the process technology, the amounts and location of raw materials required, and the indicated investment and operating costs.  Oil shale is now best adapted to the production of fuel and heavy Diesel oil.  The Fischer-Tropsch process yields good motor gasoline and excellent Diesel fuel.  Coal hydrogenation gives aviation gasoline or a range of fuel oils.  Considerable variation in estimates of the cost of the finished products is to be expected. For crude shale oil under large-scale operations, the capital cost is placed at $2,000 per bbl. per day, whereas production costs are estimated at from $1.75-$2.75 per bbl.  Like estimates for the gas synthesis process using coal are $9,000-$10,000 per bbl. per day for plant and $3.50-$4.50 per bbl. for the gasoline product.  Any reduction in the latter figure will have to result from lower synthesis gas costs.  For coal hydrogenation, the respective figures are $10,700 per bbl. per day and $0.14-$0.19 per gal. of aviation gasoline.  Approximately 50% of the cost of fuel production is in the H₂.  The use of natural gas at $0.05 per 1,000 cu. ft. instead of coal at $3.00 per ton would reduce this cost about 2/3.  How technical improvements in the equipment and the operations are leading to lower costs also is pointed out.