Fischer-Tropsch (FT) is actually a reaction—not a specific fuel— that converts hydrogen and carbon-monoxide (typically from coal, methane, or biomass) into liquid fuels. This process essentially creates synthetic petroleum that can be used without modification to the vehicle engine or fueling infrastructure. Created during World War II, these FT fuels have been used all over the globe, most notably in South Africa, primarily supplied by a company called Sasol. FT fuels are beneficial because they convert low-value refinery products, into a high-value, cleaner-burning fuel. They are practically interchangeable with diesel fuel and can be blended with diesel at any ratio. However, although Fischer-Tropsch does create petroleum free fuels, FT fuels made from coal (like all coal-to-liquid fuels) do have a negative environmental impact.
To learn more about the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, please download this PDF from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Biobutanol, like ethanol, is an alcohol that can be produced through processing of domestically grown crops and other biomass, such as fast-growing grasses and agricultural waste products. Biobutanol can be used in gasoline-powered internal combustion engines and is easily blended with ethanol or gasoline. However, the energy content of biobutanol is 10 to 20 percent lower than that of gasoline. The benefits of biobutanol are similar to that of ethanol—it is easily blended with other fuels, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and it is compatible with the current gasoline and ethanol distribution infrastructure.
For more information on biobutanol, please visit the Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center.
Recycled or straight vegetable oil (RVO and SVO) should not be confused with biodiesel. However, biodiesel can be made from vegetable oil through a process called transesterification: vegetable oil is reacted with methanol using caustic soda as a catalyst. However, RVO and SVO are forms of vegetable oil that do not go through this kind of chemical process.
It is important to consider that the pros and cons of using vegetable oil have been debated and there is an unfortunately limited amount of research available on this controversial fuel. Although a vehicle must be modified in order to use RVO and SVO, vegetable oil costs a fraction of the price of diesel. It can occasionally be attained free of cost from restaurants trying to dispose of waste fryer oil. Some suggest that vegetable oil has been noted to reduce engine life, caused by a build-up of carbon deposits. It also has a much higher viscosity than regular diesel at normal operating temperatures. Again, it is important to note that vegetable oil has not been tested for fleet use and there are no national standards for this fuel.
SVO and RVO are available in Ohio. Full Circle Fuels located in Otterbein, Ohio does perform SVO vehicle conversions for approximately $1200 on midsize and compact cars, and prices range for larger vehicles.
To learn more about Full Circle Fuels, please visit the Full Circle Fuels homepage or e-mail the owner, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
To get more information and DIY tips on vegetable oil fuel systems and how to convert diesel fuel systems into RVO & SVO fuel systems, please visit Greasecar.
