The Bergius process hydrogenates coal mixed with recycled heavy oil. Fischer-Tropsch first gasifies coal, natural gas, or biomass and then converts the gas into liquid hydrocarbons. The comparison presents Fischer-Tropsch as better for production volume, with a possible energy-efficiency tradeoff. Germany's largest cited Bergius plant produced about 200 tons per day, while Fischer-Tropsch supplied roughly nine percent of German wartime fuel and a quarter of its petrol. These figures suggest that synthetic fuel could make a meaningful contribution without replacing a modern economy's oil consumption.
Chapter · 11:47-13:48
Bergius and Fischer-Tropsch options
Two proven interwar processes gave Japan possible routes for converting coal into liquid hydrocarbons.