South Africa commits to oil-from-coal process

Journal Article · Mon Sep 17 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Chem. Eng. News (Wash., D.C.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5980699

Heylin, M

The new South African Coal, Oil, and Gas (Sasol) facilities under construction at Secunda could have implications for other coal-rich countries, such as the United States. The two new plants, Sasol II and III, are modified and enlarged versions of the Sasol I plant, which has been making oil from coal commercially since 1955 by the Fischer-Tropsch indirect-liquefaction method. The Sasol method is about 10 years ahead of other liquefaction technologies and could have a role in reducing US dependence on imported oil during the transition to synthetic fuels. Political and economic factors make the Sasol plants favorable for South Africa. Similar plants would, if they were started immediately, be competitive in the US, although environmental and regulatory constraints would likely prevent this from happening.

• OSTI ID: 5980699
• Journal Information: Chem. Eng. News (Wash., D.C.); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News (Wash., D.C.); (United States) Vol. 57:38; ISSN CENEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010405 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
294001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Coal
AFRICA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL LIQUEFACTION
COMMERCIALIZATION
ECONOMICS
EVALUATION
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LIQUEFACTION
POLITICAL ASPECTS
SASOL PROCESS
SOUTH AFRICA
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES