GTL Diesel
GTL stands for Gas-To-Liquid. GTL diesel is a liquid fuel made from natural gas, rather than from crude oil. Natural gas is abundant, yet difficult to transport because it‘s a gas. Converting the gas to liquid solves that problem. Additional benefits include:
- Virtually no sulfur (less than 5 ppm) or aromatic hydrocarbons
- High cetane number of 70+
- The potential to help reduce particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide emissions from many diesel engines on the road today
- Requires no new distribution infrastructure
- Helps diversify the U.S. energy supply
The Future of GTL Diesel
Although GTL diesel is not yet widely available to the public, new conversion technologies and growing demand for diversified energy sources are making GTL diesel a more viable future option. Further down the road, the same technologies that enable GTL diesel may bring BTL — Biomass to Liquid — closer to commercial reality. BTL would mean taking virtually any plant material, or even some kinds of garbage, and converting it to a diesel type of fuel.
Chevron is running a pilot program at a retail station in Sacramento where customers can fill their diesel-powered vehicles with a GTL blended diesel fuel. Find out where.
For more details on GTL diesel, check out our Frequently Asked Questions and our Press Releases, Research, and Resources page — or Contact an Expert.
