New generation liquid alternative fuels – development trends

Synthetic hydrocarbon fuels obtained from coal (CTL), natural gas (GTL), biomass (BTL) and via hydroconversion of vegetable oils and their development trends are presented. Although CTL and GTL technologies are used by oil companies (e.g. Sasol and Shell), BTL fuels and fraction obtained by hydroconversion of vegetable oils are relatively less known. In the paper the basic information on synthetic fuels, technologies, perspectives of their development and problems connected with legislation are discussed.