Natural Gas-Derived Synthetic Fuels: A Comprehensive Review of Pathways for Carbon Offset and Sustainability

TL;DR

This paper reviews synthetic fuels from natural gas, focusing on their potential for sustainability and carbon offset while addressing technical and economic challenges.

Contribution

The paper introduces AI-driven methods and CAMD for optimizing GTL fuels and explores their role in sustainable aviation.

Findings

GTL fuels offer lower emissions but face challenges in cost and energy intensity.

Surrogate fuel development is critical for accurate modeling of GTL-diesel and aviation fuels.

GTL-derived fuels show promise as transitional low-carbon options for sustainable aviation.

Abstract

The depletion of
fossil fuels and the environmental impacts of
conventional energy sources have accelerated the shift toward alternatives,
with synthetic fuelsparticularly those derived from natural
gasemerging as key solutions. gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology
converts natural gas into ultraclean fuels and value-added chemicals,
offering lower-emission alternatives to traditional crude oil-derived
fuels. However, challenges, such as energy-intensive reforming stages,
high capital costs, and the carbon footprint of natural gas feedstocks,
hinder large-scale deployment. Additionally, the paraffinic composition
and low aromatic content of GTL fuels present challenges in meeting
engine performance and emissions targets without the use of tailored
surrogate formulations. This review addresses these gaps by analyzing
advancements in surrogate fuel development, with a focus on the limited
kinetic data for high-molecular-weight iso-alkanes and cycloalkanes,
which are critical for the accurate modeling of GTL-diesel and aviation
fuels. Furthermore, the underexplored role of GTL-derived fuels in
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) strategies is evaluated, highlighting
their potential as transitional low-carbon fuels. Novel insights include
the integration of AI-driven computational methods and computer-aided
molecular design (CAMD) to optimize fuel properties and process efficiencies.
The review also synthesizes key technical, computational, and policy
challenges and presents forward-looking research directions to guide
the future development of GTL and SAF pathways. By bridging the gap
between GTL chemistry, combustion modeling, and sustainability metrics,
this Perspective outlines pathways for enhancing the role of GTL in
the global energy transition.

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