&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Industrial Environmental Researc
Laboratory
Research Triangle Park NC 2771"
Research and Development
EPA-600/S7-81-025 July 1981
Project Summary
Environmental Aspects of
Synfuel Utilization
M. Ghassemi and R. Iyer
This study reviews the environ-
mental concerns relating to the distri-
bution, handling, and end use of
synfuel products likely to enter the
marketplace by the year 2000, and
assigns priority rankings to these
products based on environmental
concerns to aid EPA in focusing its
regulatory and research activities.
Major products and by-products from
oil shale, coal liquefaction, and coal
gasification technologies are consid-
ered.
Based on current developmental
activities, three likely scenarios for
shale- and coal-based synfuel plant
buildup are projected. The type and
quantity of synfuel products and by-
products likely to enter the market are
identified and their regional market
penetration is estimated. The environ-
mental analysis consists of a review of
the available data on the physical,
chemical, and health effects charac-
teristics of synfuel products and envi-
ronmental significance of their char-
acteristics; an analysis of the potential
environmental impacts and regional
implications associated with the pro-
duction and use scenarios considered;
and a ranking of the products from the
standpoint of environmental concerns
and mitigation requirements.
The results indicate that: (1) signifi-
cant quantities of synfuel products are
expected to enter the marketplace
during the next 20 years; (2) large-
scale transportation, distribution, and
end use of pertain synfuel products
can present significiant threats to the
environment and the public health; (3)
based on gross characteristics, synfuel
products appear to be similar to petro-
leum products, but detailed character-
ization data are not available with
which to judge their relative safety;
and (4) synfuel test and evaluation
programs currently underway or plan-
ned provide excellent opportunities
for collecting some of the required
environmental data.
This Project Summary was devel-
oped by EPA's Industrial Environmen-
tal Research Laboratory, Research Tri
angle Park, NC, to announce key
findings of the research project that is
fully documented in a separate report
of the same title (see Project Report
ordering information at back).
Introduction
The present study consists of: (1) a
projection of synfuel production and
product utilization over the next 20
years, and (2) a ranking of products from
the standpoint of environmental con-
cerns. The data base used consists of
information obtained from major process
developers, potential product users, and
published literature.
Candidate Technologies and
Products
Synfuel technologies likely to be used
in commercial plants over the next 20
years are oil shale, coal, gasification
(low-/medium-Btu and SNG) and coal
liquefaction (direct and indirect). Brief
descriptions of these technologies and
their development status are presented
-------
in Table 1. Major products and by-products
of these technologies and their antici-
pated general uses are indicated in
Figure 1.
Synfuel Energy Buildup
Scenarios
Three scenarios or forecasts for synf uel
industry buildup to the year 2000 were
developed. These scenarios are:
National goal scenario driven by
federal incentives (Scenario I;
medium buildup rate).
Nominal production scenario (Sce-
nario II; low buildup rate).
Accelerated production scenario
representing an upper bound for
industry buildup (Scenario III; high
buildup rate).
The scenarios project the total quanti-
ties of shale oil, low-/medium-Btu gas,
high-btu gas, and liquids from coal that
would be expected to enter the market
under the assumed sets of conditions.
Based on discussions with major synfuel
suppliers and users and industry and
government planners. Scenario II was
selected as the most realistic of the
three scenarios and was used for anal-
ysis of regional impacts and environ-
mental issues. This scenario is consist-
ent with the general consensus among
technical experts and potential major
suppliers that shale oil is most nearly
cost competitive and closest to com-
mercialization than high-Btu gasifica-
tion or coal liquefaction, and that com-
mercial coal liquefaction facilities will
not probably come on-line before the
early 1990's.
Table 2 presents the product/by-
product estimates of synfuel utilization
in the U.S.
Note that, even though on a national
scale, projected synfuel utilization would
account for small fractions of the total
product usage, in some regions a very
high fraction of the currently used
products are expected to be replaced by
synfuel products.
Synfuel Product Utilization and
EPA Regions of Maximum
Impact
EPA regions where synfuel products
would most likely be utilized are identi-
fied in Figure 2. Except for oil shale in
the 1988-1992 and 1993-2000 time
frames and for direct coal liquefaction in
the 1993-2000 time period, the trans-
portation, distribution, and use of prod-
ucts are expected to be confined to the
regions where each synfuel is produced.
Consequently, environmental impacts
associated with product utilization are
expected to be confined primarily to the
production regions, except for impacts
associated with the natural transporta-
tion of pollutants across regional
boundaries (for example, transportation
Table 1. Candidate Synfuel Technologies and Their Status of Development
Technology Description
of air pollutants emitted from combustion
sources). The projections indicate that
up to the year 2000 under Scenario II,
the environmental impacts of synfuel
product utilization would be expected to
be largely limited to EPA Regions V and
VIII for oil shale; to EPA Regions IV, VI,
and VIII for medium-Btu gas; to EPA
Regions III, IV, and VIII for indirect coal
liquefaction products; and to EPA Regions
III, IV, and V for direct liquefaction
products.
Environmentally Significant
Characteristics of Synfuel
Products
The current product characterization
data base is a collection of results of
sampling, analysis and performance
testing conducted by different investi-
gators using samples/batches of products
obtained from pilot plants operated under
varying conditions. Accordingly, sig-
nificant inconsistencies exist in the
reported results, which further hamper
assessment of the environmental safety
of synfuel product utilization. This
assessment is also hindered by a lack of
data on analogous petroleum and nat-
ural gas products that the synfuel
products will replace and that, because
of their large-scale and widespread
utilization, have generally come to be
viewed by the public as environmentally
innocuous.
Development Status
Oil Shale
Direct Coal
Liquefaction
Indirect Coal
Liquefaction
Coal
Gasification
Heating oil shale to about 480° C to extract shale oil
Heating by surface retorting, in-situ retorting.
or modified in-situ retorting
Crude shale oil can be upgraded to produce syncrude for
use as refinery feed stocks or boiler fuel
Coal, hydrogen, and a coal-derived liquid mixed at high
temperature and pressure to produce additional coal-derived
oil, which is separated and refined to liquid fuels
Three major processes under development: SCR II, H-coal,
and Exxon Donor Solvent (EDS). Processes differ in the way
hydrogen is made to react with coal
Coal reacted with oxygen and steam in a gasifier to produce
a synthesis gas; after removal of COt and other impurities,
CO and Hi in the gas reacted catatytica/ly to produce several
products ranging from lightweight gases to heavy fuel oil
(Fischer-Tropschprocessj or to methanol which is then con-
verted to gasoline (Mobile-M process)
Closest to commercialization of all synfuel technologies
for production of large volumes of liquid fuels
Surface retorting more advanced than in-situ retorting
All technologies demonstrated at pilot scale or larger
Several production facilities planned for operation in 1980's
SRC II: Pilot plant under operation; 6700-ton/day of coal
demonstration unit under design and scheduled for operation
in 1984-85
H-Coal; 600-ton/day of coal pilot plant under construction;
testing to begin soon
EDS: 250-ton/day of coal pilot unit under construction;
testing to begin soon
Fischer- Tropsch: 8000-ton/day of coal plant (SASOL I) produc-
ing over 10.000 bbl/day of liquids in commercial operation
since 1956 in South Africa; a 40,OOO-ton/day of coal unit
(SASOL-H) will begin operation soon
Mobil-M: Commercial plant to produce 12.500 bbl/day of gasoline
from reformed natural gas planned for New Zealand in 1984-85
Reacting coal, steam, and air/oxygen to produce low-Btu (80-150 Low-Btu gas: Extensive commercial experience in U.S. with
Btu/scfl or medium-Btu (300-500 Btu/scf) gas; medium-Btu gas gasifiers operating near atmospheric pressure; applications are
small-scale operations producing gas for captive use in
industrial and process heating
Medium-Btu gas: extensive commercial experience exists for
Lurgi fixed-bed process; several projects using the Texaco
process for captive applications (chemical feedstocks and
on-site power generation) in planning and design stages
High-Btu gas: plans for SNG production using Lurgi technology
announced by pipeline and gas utility companies
purified and upgraded to SNG (-1000 Btu/scf)
> Gasifiers differ in design and operation, depending on type
of coal used and products desired
-------
Oil Shale
Products
Major Synfuel Products/
By-Products
Indirect Coal
Liquefaction
Products
Coal Gasification
Products
Coal
Liquefaction
(Direct &
Indirect
Processes)
Directo Coal
Liquefaction
Products
Transportation
Sector
Gasoline
Middle
Distillates
(e.g.. Jet Fuel,
Diesel,
Kerosene)
SNG
Methanol
Petro-
chemicals
Middle
Distillates (e.g..
Jet Fuel, Diesel,
Kerosene}
Residuals
(e.g.. Marine
Fuels,
Lubricants)
Naphtha
LPG
Petro-
chemicals
Industrial
Sector
Gasoline
Middle
Distillates
(e.g.. Jet Fuel,
Diesel,
Kerosene,
Light Fuel Oil)
Residuals
(e.g.. Marine
Fuels,
Lubricants)
SNG
Low and
Medium
Btu Gas
Penetration of Shale Oil into the Utilities and
Commercial and Residential sector is expected
to be minimal and therefore not highlighted.
Commercial
Residential
Sector
Figure 1. Synfuel utilization during 1985-2000.
Table 3 identifies the differences in
chemical, combustion, and health effects
characteristics of synfuel products and
their petroleum analogs, based on the
reported characterization data. These
differences primarily relate to the higher
content of aromatics and fuel bound
nitrogen (FBN) and greater emissions of
NOx during combustion. Although no
test data for synfuel products are avail-
able, high concentrations of aromatics
in fuels have been shown to enhance
production of PNA's during combustion.
In the case of fuels, high aromaticity has
been generally implicated in an increase
in smoke production; the limited com-
bustion data which are currently avail-
able, however, do not indicate that all
aromatic synfuels have higher smoke
levels. High FBN content can raise the
level of NO. emissions; the excess NO,
emissions of synfuels are believed to be
correctable by combustion modifications.
The nitrogen content of the synfuels can
also be lowered to meet appropriate fuel
specifications by the use of certain
refining processes.
The data in Table 3 identify two
products as highly hazardous because
of mutagenic, tumorigenic, and cytotoxic
properties. These are crude shale oil
and fuel oils from coal liquefaction
processes. These hazardous properties,
which are characteristic of high boiling
and tarry coal and petroleum materials,
are caused by the presence of substances
or classes of substances such as poly-
cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, hetero-
and carbonyl-polycyclic compounds,
aromatic amines, and certain inorganics
(for example, arsenic in crude shale oil).
In general, synfuel product charact-
eristics that cause environmental con-
cern in any wide-scale utilization sce-
nario relate to the known or potential
presence of toxic substances (including
carcinogenic compounds associated
with crude shale oil and heavy distillates
from coal liquefaction and hazardous aro-
matics), fuel-bound nitrogen, volatile
components, and minor and trace ele-
ments. Potential environmental concerns
relating to anticipated product uses
generally fall into three categories:
occupational exposure, public exposure,
and general environmental pollution.
The occupational hazards affect workers
manufacturing and using the products
and personnel involved in facility main-
tenance and product distribution
-------
Table 2. Estimated Quantity of Synfuel Products used in the U.S. Under Scenario II
1980-1987 1988-1992
Product Amount % of total Amount % of total
(10*bpd) in U. S. (W6 bpd) in U. S.
Crude shale oil (fuel)
Shale oil refinery feed
Shale jet fuel
Shale diesel fuel
Shale residuals
Shale gasoline
Medium-Btu gas (coal)
SNG (coal)
Gasifier tars, oils
Gasifier phenol
F-TLPG
F-T medium-Btu gas
F-T SNG
F-T heavy fuel oil
F-T gasoline
Mobil-gasoline
F-T diesel fuel
Fuel methanol
SRC II fuel oil
SRC II naphtha
SRC II LPG
EDS fuel oil
EDS naphtha
EDS LPG
H-coal fuel oil
H-coal naphtha
H-coal LPG
0.0008
0.07
0.015
0.042
0.007
0.13
0.09
0.042
0.004
0.004
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.05
0.45
1.2
1.2
0.2
0.2
0.9
0.4
0.04
0.04
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.41
0.09
0.23
0.04
0.07
0.27
0.17
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.03
0.001
0.02
0.05
0.002
0.14
0.03
0.02
0.006
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.24
6.5
6.5
1.3
0.9
2.8
1.8
0.1
0.1
0.06
0.06
0.33
0.02
0.2
0.66
0.04
1.8
0.3
0.2
0.4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1993-2000
Amount % of total
(106bpd) in U.S.
0
0.43
0.09
0.23
0.04
0
0.45
0.25
0.01
0.02
0.01
0.01
0.07
0.001
0.03
0.1
0.01
0.23
0.09
0.05
0.02
0.06
0.03
0.01
0.06
0.03
0.01
0
2.4
6.8
6.8
1.3
0
4.7
2.6
0.1
0.2
0.06
0.1
0.7
0.03
0.4
1.3
0.1
3.0
1.3
0.8
1.6
1.0
0.6
0.9
0.4
0.2
0.1
services. Public exposure primarily
relates to air pollution resulting from
product uses such as the use of gasoline
in automobilies, hazardous fugitive
emissions from storage tanks and prod-
uct transfer points, and accidental
spills. In the general category of envi-
ronmental pollution, major contributors
would include accidental spills, sludges
from product storage tanks and spill
cleanup, and solid, liquid, and gaseous
wastes associated with combustion and
combustion-related air pollution control.
Basis for Priority Ranking of
Synfuel Products
As noted previously, the objective of
the study was to provide input to the
EPA effort for: (1) assessing the envi-
ronmental implications of a mature
synfuel industry and of large-scale
utilization of synfuel products; and (2)
planning and prioritizing regulatory and
research and development programs.
Accordingly, a system was developed
and used to rank the synfuel products
from the standpoint of environmental
concerns and to identify those products
and areas of concern that should receive
more immediate and greater regulatory
and R&D attention. The ranking is
subject to the limitations of the existing
product characterization data and the
assumptions used in developing the
productions and use scenarios; the
product rankings will most likely change
as more data become available, especially
for those products for which little or no
data are currently available. It should
also be noted that the specific approach
used represents only one of many
approaches that could be used to rank
synfuel products from the standpoint of
environmental concerns.
Two approaches were examined for
ranking the synfuel products, based on:
(1) the limited product characterization
data currently available (Table 3) sup-
plemented by engineering judgement
where appropriate; and (2) the premise
that, in the absence of detailed charac-
terization data, and unless the available
data indicate otherwise, it would be
reasonable to assume that a synfuel
product would be more hazardous than
its petroleum analog. The first approach
was selected and used to develop prod-
uct rankings.
Under this approach, a synfuel prod-
uct would necessarily be considered
more hazardus because of the mere lack
of detailed characterization data. Instead,
assignment of a more positive ranking
to a product is supported by actual data
or is based on strong indications of
greater potential hazards. Under the
first scenario, prioritization of regulatory
and R&D activities does not have to
await collection of additional data,
which should proceed concurrently as a
separate effort.
Attribute Rating Procedure
Table 4 presents the assessment of
the environmental concerns for various
synfuel products relative to their petro-
leum analogs on a "barrel-per-barrel"
basis. As indicated by the headings in
-------
Shale Oil
Low-/Medium-Btu Gas
Indirect Coal Liquefaction
Shale Oil
Indirect Coal Liquefaction
Direct Coal Liquefaction
Indirect Coal Liquefaction
Coal Liquefaction
Region II
Puerto Rico
Low-/Medium-Btu Gas
Direct Coal Liquefaction
Indirect Coal Liquefaction
Virgin Islands
,Low-/Medium-Btu Gas
Direct Coal Liquefaction
Figure 2. EPA Regions of synfuel products utilization (1990'sj.
the table, the relative ranking considers
potential for exposure, emission, toxic
hazard, cost of control, and adequacy of
existing regulations. A(+) ranking is
assigned to a product for .an environ-
mental attribute if the product is judged
to present greater environmental con-
cern than the petroleum analog; a
ranking of (0) indicates that the environ-
mental concern would be similar to or
less than that of the petroleum product.
Product Ranking
Table 5 presents the results of synfuel
product ranking. The results generally
indicate the greatest level of environ-
mental concern and regulatory re-
quirements for shale oil refinery feed
and coal liquids. These liquids have
been demonstrated to be more hazard-
ous than petroleum crude and fuels oils
(a major factor in assigning a "1"
ranking). This and the fact that shale oil
products will be the synfuels that are
expected to first enter the market on a
large scale, are the major factors that
flag near-term environmental concerns
for shale oil-products in general and
shale oil fuel and refinery feed in
particular.
Data Limitations and Related
Programs
As noted previously, a number of
major gaps in the existing data base
preclude accurate analysis of the envi-
ronmental concerns associated with a
future large-scale utilization of synfuel
products in the U.S. These gaps relate
to: (1) present uncertainties regarding
the size of the industry, specific synfuel
technologies that will be used, product
slates that will be produced, locations of
production facilities and product distri-
bution systems, and the specific areas
of synfuel use; and (2) lack of adequate
characterization data on synfuel prod-
ucts and on the analogous petroleum
products that they will partially or totally
replace.
At present, the first category of data
gaps can only be partially filled. Many of
the gaps in the second category, how-
ever, can and should be filled through
testing and evaluation of synfuel products
obtained from existing U.S. pilot plants
and commercial facilities abroad.
Conclusions
In the next 20 years significant
quantities of synfuel products are
expected to enter the marketplace
and in certain regions a very high
percent of the currently used prod-
ucts will be replaced by their synfuel-
derived analogs.
Based on gross characteristics,
synfuel products appear to be simi-
lar to petroleum products, but
detailed characterization data are
not available for many of the synfuel
and petroleum products with which
-------
Table 3. Reported Known Differences in Chemical, Combustion, and Health Effects Characteristics of Synfuel Products and
Their Petroleum Analogs
Product Chemical Characteristics Combustion Characteristics Health Effects Characteristics
Shale oil
Crude
Gasoline
Jet fuels
DFM
Residuals
Direct Liquefaction
Syncrude (H-Coal,
SRC II. EDS)
SRC II fuel oil
H-Coal fuel oil
EDS fuel oil
SRC II naphtha
H-Coal naphtha
EDS naphtha
SRC II gasoline
H-Coal gasoline
EDS gasoline
Indirect Liquefaction
FT gasoline
FT by-product
chemical
Mobile-M gasoline
Methanol
Gasification
SNG
Low/medium-Btu gas
Gasifier tars, oils
phenols
Higher aromatics, FBNAs, Hg. Mn Higher emissions of NO* paniculate, and More mutagenic, tumorigenic, cytotoxic
Higher aromatics
Higher aromatics
Higher aromatics
Higher aromatics
Higher aromatics and nitrogen
Higher aromatics and nitrogen
Higher nitrogen content
Higher nitrogen, aromatics
Higher nitrogen, aromatics
Higher nitrogen, aromatics
Higher aromatics
Higher aromatics
Higher aromatics
Lower aromatics; N and S nil
(Gross characteristics similar
to petroleum gasoline)
Traces of metal carbonyls
and higher CO
(Composition varies with coal
type and gasifier design/
operation)
(Composition varies with coal
and gasifier types; highly
aromatic materials)
(possibly) certain trace elements
Slightly higher No, and smoke emissions
Slightly higher No* and smoke emissions
Slightly higher NO, and smoke emissions
Higher NO, emissions
Higher No, emissions
Higher No, emissions
N/A
Higher aldehyde emissions
(Emissions of a wide range of trace and
minor elements and heterocyclic organics)
Eye/skin irritation, skin sensitization
same as for petroleum fuel
Eye/skin irritation, skin sensitization
same as for petroleum fuel
Middle distillates: non-mutagenic; cytotoxi-
city similar to but toxicity greater than
No. 2 diesel fuel; burns skin.
Heavy distillate: considerable skin carcin-
ogenicity, cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, and
cell transformation
Severely hydrotreated: non-mutagenic, non-
tumorigenic; low cytotoxicity
Non-mutagenic, extremely low tumorigeni-
city, cytotoxicity, and fetotoxicity
Non-mutagenic
Non-carcinogenic
Affects optic nerve
Non-mutagenic, moderately cytotoxic
to assess and compare their safety.
Large-scale transportation, distri-
bution, and end use of certain
synfuel products (for example,
heavy distillates derived from coal
liquids and shale oil) can present
significant threats to the environ-
ment and the public health.
' Essentially all synfuel-related envi-
ronmental projects that are planned
or currently underway relate to the
design and operation of synfuel
plants and not to the subsequent
distribution and utilization of prod-
ucts. The present study constitutes
the first attempt to focus attention
on the potentially broad and far-
reaching environmental implica-
tions of large-scale marketing and
utilization of synfuel products.
A number of major test and evalua-
tion programs are planned or cur-
rently underway to assess the
combustion characteristics and
general performance of synfuels
relative to those of petroleum prod-
ucts. These programs provide ex-
cellent opportunities for collecting
the environmental data needed for
assessing the relative safety of
synfuel products, determining the
adequacy of the existing control
technologies, and identifying regu-
latory needs.
Recommendations
Based on the results and conclusions
of the study, the following recommenda-
tions are offered:
-------
Table 4. Relative Assessment of the Environmental Hazards Associated with Synfuel Products and Petroleum Analogs
Emission Toxic Adequacy of
Product Exposure Factor Hazard Existing Regulations
Transport
&
Storage End Use
Crude shale oil (fuel)
Shale oil refinery feed
Shale jet fuel
Shale diesel fuel
Shale residuals
Shale gasoline
0
0
0
0
Low-/Medium-Btu gas (coal) 0
SNG (coal)
Gasifier tars and oil
Gasifier phenol
F-T LPG
F-T medium-Btu gas
F-T SNG
F- T heavy fuel oil
F-T gasoline
M-gasoline
F-T diesel fuel
Fuel methanol
SRC II fuel oil
SRC II naphtha
SRC II LPG
EDS fuel oil
EDS naphtha
EDS LPG
H-coal fuel oil
H-coal naphtha
H-coal LPG
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
0
0
+
0
0
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Transport
&
Storage End Use
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
0
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
+
0
0
+
0
0
+
0
0
Transport
&
Storage End Use
0
0
0
+
0
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
1
+
0
+
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
Cosf of
Control
0
+
0
+
0
0
0
0
+
0
0
0
0
+
0
0
+
0
0
+
0
0
c/w
0
+
0
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
+
0
0
+
0
0
+
0
0
CWA
0
0
0
0
0
+
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
RCRA
+
+
0
+
0
0
0
0
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
0
+
+
0
+
+
0
TSCA
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
o
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
> More systematic approach to
product characterization and
testing.Better coordination among
various on-going and planned stud-
ies (perhaps through establishing a
"test tracking" system that would
promote exchanges of information
among various studies) is recom-
mended to avoid duplication of
effort and to ensure generation of
appropriate environmental data in
a most cost-effective manner.
Collection of environmental data in
conjunction with planned perform-
ance testing programs. Collection
of environmental data, which can
be correlated with performance,
which can be correlated in con-
junction with product performance,
in conjunction with a systematic
product characterization effort can
provide valuable timely inputs to
the evolution of the synfuel industry
and would ensure that: (1) envi-
ronmental considerations are in-
cluded in the selection of processes,
equipment, and product slates for
commercial facilities; and (2) the
drafting of specifications for synfuel
products, new source performance
standards for synfuel plants, and
emissions standards for facilities
using synfuel products is based on
the best available technical and
engineering data.
Consideration of end-use environ-
mental implications in the selection
of the product slates and in the
development of the synfuel industry.
By proper selection of the refining
steps (and the operating mode for
some synfuel processes), the prod-
uct slate can be altered to favor the
production of those products that
present fewer and more controllable
end-use environmental impacts.
Studies should be undertaken to
define the engineering and eco-
nomics of selecting environmentally
acceptable product slate possibili-
ties for various synfuel technologies.
i Compilation of characterization/
performance data on analogous
petroleum products. Very little data
are available on potential pollutants
and toxicological and ecological
properites of many of the petro-
leum products to provide a baseline
for assessing the safety of synfuel
products. It is recommended that
the potential sources of data on
petroleum products be contacted in
an effort to compile all available
data and identify data gaps. Also,
synfuel product testing and char-
acterization efforts should include
parallel testing of petroleum-
derived analogs.
-------
Table 5. Priority Ranking of Synfuel Products
Environmental Concerns*
Product 1980-1987
Crude shale oil (fuel)
Shale oil refinery feed
Shale jet fuel
Shale diesel fuel
Shale residuals
Shale gasoline
Medium-Btu gas (coal)
SNG (coal)
Gasifier tars & oils
Gasifier phenol
F-TLPG
F- T medium-Btu gas
F-TSNG
F-T heavy fuel oil
F-T gasoline
Mobile -M gasoline
F-T diesel fuel
Fuel methanol
SRC II fuel oil
SRC II naphtha
SRC II LPG
EDS fuel oil
EDS naphtha
EDS LPG
H-coal fuel oil
H-coal naphtha
H-coal LPG
2
1
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
from the Standpoint of
1988-1992 1993-2000
/
2
2
2
2
2
3
;
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
/
7
2
3
7
2
2
2
2
/
3
7
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
/
7
2
2
/
2
3
7
2
3
*Degree of concern: most = 7, modest= 2, and low- 3;indicates product not produced
or not used as indicated
M. Ghassemi and R. Iyer are with TRW, Inc., Redondo Beach, CA 90278.
J. McSorley is the EPA Project Officer (see below).
The complete report, entitled "Environmental Aspects of Synfuel Utilization,"
(Order No. PB 81-175 937; Cost: $29.00, subject to change) will be available
only from:
National Technical Information Service
5285 Port Royal Road
Springfield. VA 22161
Telephone: 703-487-4650
The EPA Project Officer can be contacted at:
Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC 27711
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