|
|
|||||||
| | | | | | | |
|
|
COAL TAKES TO THE WILD BLUE YONDER Coal Bin Article by Harold Hough Feb/March 2007 We expect coal to do many things, but powering an American strategic bomber isn't one we normally think of. However, just before Christmas a B-52 bomber flew using only synthetic fuel that can be produced from coal. It was the first time in history that an American military aircraft has flown without using the kerosene based fuel that has powered jet aircraft since they were developed during World War II. Making fuel from coal isn't new or that complicated. The original process was discovered by German scientists Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch in the 1920s (hence the name Fischer-Tropsch Process). They discovered that carbon monoxide and hydrogen could be converted into liquid hydrocarbons through a chemical reaction. These feedstocks could be provided from coal. And, since Germany had rich coal reserves, it proved to be practical for them. This synthetic fuel was critical for Germany in World War II. During the war, synthetic fuel production reached more than 124,000 barrels per day from 25 plants. It was also the source for lubricants. However, it was the price of oil that has the American military looking seriously at coal based fuel today. Jet fuel jumped from 75 cents a gallon in 2001 to $2.01 in 2006. For a gas guzzler like the massive B-52, that meant flight operations were an expensive affair, since each of these aircraft take 47,000 gallons to fill its tank. No wonder the US military is the biggest customer of fuel in the world and the US Air Force had a $5 billion fuel bill last year. The fuel used by the bomber is a 50-50 blend of crude oil based fuel and a synthetic liquid produced by Syntroleum Corp in Oklahoma. The coal based synthetic fuel offers a more secure domestic source for fuel since the US has abundant coal reserves. And, since foreign petroleum supplies have become more expensive, coal fuel promises lower costs. The biggest concern for the Air Force was how the fuel would perform in operations. In the flight, the aircraft went through the same flight profile as a combat mission – climbing to 48,000 feet, rendezvousing with an aerial tanker, simulating refueling maneuvers, and throttling through various speeds. The fuel preformed just as well as petroleum based jet fuel. In the coming months the Air Force will conduct additional tests, including low temperature tests at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Ironically, this was where a synthetic fuel plant was built after World War Two. American officials were impressed with the German synthetic fuel program during the war and were determined to duplicate it in order to reduce American dependency on foreign petroleum sources. With the help of Germans experts, a synthetic fuel plant was using North Dakota lignite to product diesel fuel in 1949. During the next four years, 1.5 million gallons were produced, most of which was used in testing by the armed forces. It was closed when major oil discoveries in Texas made petroleum a cheaper option. The current program is part of a ten year effort to lessen the Pentagon's reliance on foreign petroleum. The goal is to use synthetic fuel for half of its needs by 2016. And, if the Air Force can use it successfully, than commercial air carriers, who use basically the same jet engines in their aircraft, will probably quickly follow. | |||
|
Home
-- About Us --
Products & Services --
Classifieds --
Professional Directory -- Advertise with Us
|
