Fischer, Franz
Published: September 6, 2006, 4:15 pm
Updated: September 6, 2006, 4:15 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Franz Fischer (1877-1947), a German chemist who, along with Hans Tropsch, invented in 1923 a revolutionary new process for converting solid fuels to liquid fuels. Fisher’s work, spanning several decades, was key in fulfilling the German's plan to always keep a plentiful supply of petroleum. Fischer and others invented and developed two processes that enabled them to synthesize petroleum from their country's abundant coal supplies, and to establish the world's first technologically successful synthetic liquid fuel industry. By the end of World War II, nine Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) plants were in operation in Germany, supplying significant amounts of fuel for the German war effort. Refinements to the Fischer-Tropsch process have improved its efficiency, although its commercial success hinges on a plentiful supply of cheap coal and the price of the synthetic fuel relative to conventional oil. Due to Fischer’s efforts, South Africa has a successful coal-to-liquids synfuel industry.
Further Reading
Fischer-Tropsch Archive
Clean Alternative Fuels: Fischer-Tropsch (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Transportation and Air Quality)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Fischer, Franz". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth September 6, 2006; Last revised Date September 6, 2006; Retrieved May 25, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Fischer,_Franz>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Franz Fischer (1877-1947), a German chemist who, along with Hans Tropsch, invented in 1923 a revolutionary new process for converting solid fuels to liquid fuels. Fisher’s work, spanning several decades, was key in fulfilling the German's plan to always keep a plentiful supply of petroleum. Fischer and others invented and developed two processes that enabled them to synthesize petroleum from their country's abundant coal supplies, and to establish the world's first technologically successful synthetic liquid fuel industry. By the end of World War II, nine Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) plants were in operation in Germany, supplying significant amounts of fuel for the German war effort. Refinements to the Fischer-Tropsch process have improved its efficiency, although its commercial success hinges on a plentiful supply of cheap coal and the price of the synthetic fuel relative to conventional oil. Due to Fischer’s efforts, South Africa has a successful coal-to-liquids synfuel industry.
Further Reading
Fischer-Tropsch Archive
Clean Alternative Fuels: Fischer-Tropsch (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Transportation and Air Quality)
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
Are you absolutely sure you want to remove this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Remove This Article
Site Options
0 Comments
Add Comment