Synthetic Fuel
D6. Decarbonization, emissions and alternative fuelsDefinition
Fuel produced via chemical synthesis from feedstocks such as hydrogen and CO2.
Synthetic fuels are made by chemical synthesis rather than refining crude oil, typically combining hydrogen with carbon (as captured CO2 or CO) or nitrogen to build a liquid or gaseous fuel. When the hydrogen is green and the carbon is captured, the result is a drop-in e-fuel that recycles carbon rather than adding fossil carbon. The Fischer-Tropsch route makes synthetic diesel and the methanol-synthesis and Haber-Bosch routes make e-methanol and e-ammonia for marine use.