Gas to liquids fuel

What is gas to liquids fuel?

Gas to liquids fuel (GTL) fuel is a synthetic fuel made from natural gas. It can be used on its own, or as a blend with diesel. GTL fuel is colourless, odourless, virtually sulphur-free and cleaner-burning than conventional diesel.

Natural gas is converted to GTL in a three-stage process. First, it is partially oxidised to make synthesis gas (“syngas”), a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The syngas is then converted into liquid hydrocarbons in a process called Fischer Tropsch synthesis. Finally, the liquid hydrocarbons are converted into a range of synthetic products including GTL fuel, lubricant base oils and chemical feedstocks.

On a life cycle basis, carbon dioxide (CO2) production from a GTL system is comparable with a refinery system. The additional CO2 produced during the manufacture of GTL products is roughly offset by the lower CO2 emissions when the GTL products are used. The energy industry is researching and developing technology to increase the energy efficiency of the GTL manufacturing process. Future generations of GTL plants could potentially produce up to 30% less CO2 than today’s GTL plants.

Road trials and emissions testing have shown that, because of better combustion, cars running on 100% GTL fuel emit 25–40% fewer particulates and 40–85% less carbon monoxide than standard diesel fuel. When GTL fuel is blended with diesel, the local emissions reduction is at least in proportion to the percentage of GTL fuel added.

GTL fuel has a high cetane number (a measure of how well diesel ignites under compression), which means it can help provide better engine performance and higher fuel efficiency. Since it is cleaner-burning and virtually sulphur-free, GTL fuel can also help to boost the efficiency of catalytic converters and particulate filters that reduce vehicle local emissions.

Shell’s GTL Fuel

The Audi R10 TDI ran on a GTL-diesel blend based on Shell V-Power Diesel technology

Shell has been at the forefront of  GTL technology and production for more than 30 years and is the only company using proprietary technology at every stage of the GTL process.

We built the world’s first commercial GTL plant of its type in Bintulu, Malaysia in 1993, now  producing around 15,000 barrels a day. We are also building the world’s largest GTL plant in Qatar with Qatar Petroleum, with production due to begin around the end of the decade.

We have demonstrated the performance and benefits of Shell’s GTL Fuel in various markets, both at a 100% concentration and as a blend with diesel. We first sold a GTL-diesel blend in Thailand in 2002, and it is now available as Shell V-Power Diesel in many European countries.

We have shown the benefits of GTL fuel in cities around the world. GTL fuel taxi and bus trials in Shanghai have demonstrated lower local emissions from GTL fuel compared with conventional diesel.

Trials with Volkswagen, DaimlerChrysler and Toyota have shown that Shell’s GTL Fuel can be used in a variety of vehicles. Our technical partnership with Audi led to the development of the first diesel powered car to win the prestigious Le Mans 24 hour race in 2006. The Audi R10 TDI ran on a GTL-diesel blend based on Shell V-Power Diesel technology.