SYNTHETIC LIQUID FUELS DEVELOPMENT: ASSESSMENT OF CRITICAL FACTORS. VOLUME IV. ENERGY/ECONOMIC COMPARISON OF COAL/ BASED AUTOMOTIVE ENERGY SUPPLY SYSTEMS

The comparision of options was focused on energy supply systems that could provide automotive energy. Six coal-based energy forms--gasoline refined from synthetic crude oil (syncrude), methanol, gasoline produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, liquid hydrogen, liquid methane, and electricity--were analyzed in terms of cost and energy consumption. Using only coal-based energy forms promoted consistency in the comparision of options. The five synthetic liquid fuels could be used in conventional or modified internal combustion engines, while electricity was assumed for use in powering electric cars that employ an advanced battery such as lithium-sulfur. Included in the energy supply systems were coal mining, coal transport, coal conversion, product transport, refining (for syncrude only), and product distribution. The results of the cost analysis showed that syncrude/gasoline is the least costly option, followed by methanol, methane, Fischer-Tropsch gasoline, hydrogen, and electricity. The costs of methane and methanol produced by in-situ gasification of coal were found to be lower than all options except syncrude/gasoline. When the efficiency of coverting various fuels to motive power in an automobile is considered, the relative cost picture changes. Using nominal internal combustion engine efficiences (subcompact car) for the five liquid fuels, and the electricity consumption for an advanced electric car, electricity is the lowest cost option on a cents per mile basis, followed by syncrude/gasoline, methanol, methane, hydrogen, and Fischer-Tropsch gasoline. The results of the energy analysis showed that the energy consumed in delivering 10 exp 6 Btu of automotive fuel or electricity can range from a low of 0.8 x 10 exp 6 Btu for syncrude/gasoline to a high of 2.5 x 10 exp 6 Btu for Fischer-Tropsch gasoline. As in the cost analysis, the consideration of automotive energy efficiency results in a different picture for each option in terms of energy consumption (ERA citation 03:008598)

• Corporate Authors:

  Stanford Research Institute

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  Menlo Park, CA  United States  94025

  Energy Research and Development Administration

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  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Steele, R V
  • Sharma, K J
  • Dickson, E M
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 125 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Coal; Electric vehicles; Energy; Fuel consumption; Gasoline; Internal combustion engines; Liquid fuels; Methanol
• Subject Areas: Energy; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00175424
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: EY-76-C-03-0115
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 14 1978 12:00AM