M.Phil. (Energy Studies) / Liquid fuels provide in a large percentage of South Africa's energy requirements. Because of the vastness of the country no other means of propelling transport could take the place of liquid fuel. South Africa who has for a substantial period found herself being officially cut-off from international crude oil (embargo) and other commodities such as capital, had up to ± 1991 survive this onslaught. Alternatives for the substitution of crude oil derived products (mostly liquid fuels) has been under investigation for many years, internationally as well as locally~ Because of the recent change in the situation, the approach to new investment in this field will now only be effected should it be economically more attractive than investment in the traditional crude oil processes. This study was specifically aimed at, from a South African viewpoint, summarizing various applicable liquid fuel manufacturing processes and related raw material resources, and comparing these processes both from an economic and technological angle with that of crude oil refining. The following resources were investigated: Coal, torbanite, sugar (from sugar cane), natural gas and sunflower seeds. Processes such as coal to fuels (Fischer-Tropsch, coal hydrogenation, solvent extraction), metanol to fuels (MTG-process), metanol ex natural gas (Mobil-M), methanol ex coal, ethanol ex sugar, natural gas to fuels (Fischer-Tropsch, Shell-SMOS), esters (diesel) ex sunflower seeds, fuels ex torbanite via retorting were researched. Aspects covering the availability of resources, degree of commercialisation of processes, product quality and fuel/engine compatibility and general economic and technological guidelines were covered in the study.

"This work was supported by the Center for Energy Policy Research of the M.I.T. Energy Laboratory."

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2007. / Thesis Advisor(s): Daniel A. Nussbaum. "March 2007." Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-99). Also available in print.