Tropsch

Part of speech: noun, adjective

Definitions

1. Referring to a chemical process that converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons, often used in synthetic fuel production; also relating to catalysts involved in this conversion; or describing the methods and catalysts associated with producing synthetic fuels from gas feedstocks
2. Descriptive of a technique that transforms syngas—a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen—into various liquid hydrocarbons; pertaining also to the catalysts used for this chemical reaction; or referring to the industrial processes for manufacturing synthetic fuels
3. Concerning a chemical synthesis process that generates liquid hydrocarbons from carbon monoxide and hydrogen primarily for fuel applications; involving specific catalysts to facilitate this reaction; or the range of methods aimed at producing synthetic fuels through this pathway

Etymology: Like "Fischer-Tropsch" itself, this term is named after people. Its name comes from Franz Fischer and Hans Tropsch, two German chemists who worked at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Coal Research in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Their process was named for both men, and the adjective "Tropsch" now stands for the process and its catalysts. The process turns synthesis gas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen usually made from coal, natural gas, or biomass, into liquid hydrocarbons. Metal catalysts drive the reaction, and the products can be refined into diesel, naphtha, and waxes. Because it lets carbon-rich gases be turned into liquid fuel, the process has been used in synthetic fuel production, most notably in Germany during the Second World War, when fuel supplies were severely limited.