Future Aspects of BTL-FTS Processes

This chapter elaborates on the current energy demand, environmental considerations and the significance of biomass-to-liquid (BTL) technology via Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) as a key pathway to alternative fuels and chemicals. As per the previous chapters of this book, challenges with using biomass as feed still exist, such as low energy density, complex conversion of nonfood biomass and the fact that a biomass plant requires a large space. When coupled with seasonal or intermittent quantities of biomass supplied, these factors increase the logistical costs and subsequent unit cost of production for such biofuels. The use of tools such as the geographical information system (GIS) could help to optimize supply chain logistics and facility locations using the spatiotemporal information regarding the biomass. This chapter includes consideration of the technological aspects related to process intensification strategies for specific key stages in the whole BTL-FTS process, which is a promising avenue for the development of high-efficiency small-scale and modular processes that are tailored to the biomass feedstock available in most regions of the world.