Synthetic Fuels for Transportation and National Energy Needs

The United States petroleum supplies cannot keep up with the demands made upon them by the use of automobiles. Increased importation of oil is not a satisfactory long-term solution. Supplies of coal, nuclear, and solar energy, however, are abundant. We suggest that “clean” fuels could be synthesized from these resources by using these abundant materials. This paper examines the possibilities of making methanol, ethanol, hydrogen, and ammonia for use as vehicle fuels. In the short term, methanol and mefhanol-gasoline blends appear attractive. In the long term, hydrogen is ideal if its handling problems can be solved.