Synthetic Fuel Technology Development in the United States: A Retrospective Assessment

by Barry Bozeman, Michael Crow, Walter Meyer, Ralph Shangraw

Overview

Direct coal liquefaction, a synthetic liquid fuel process, is one of the major developmental alternatives for meeting the anticipated fuel demands for the twenty-first century. This work provides a retrospective assessment of past attempts in this century to develop synthetic liquid fuel and applies the findings to produce reliable and pertinent data for the future. Retrospective technology assessment, a recent methodological invention, is used by the authors to analyze the past synthetic liquid fuel programs and the reasons for their failures. Bringing to bear four different perspectives—economic, technological, policy, and historical—the authors draw broad conclusions that will help guide the next development effort in the United States.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275930837
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/17/1988
Pages:	187
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

MICHAEL CROW is Director of Science Policy and Research, Iowa State University.

BARRY BOZEMAN is Director of the Technology and Information Policy Program, Syracuse University.

WALTER MEYER is Director of the Institute for Energy Research, Syracuse University.

RALPH SHANGRAW, JR., is Senior Research Fellow, Technology and Information Policy Program, Syracuse University

Table of Contents

The Context of Direct Coal Liquefaction Development in the Synthetic Fuels Technology Arena
Retrospective Technology Assessment: Methods and Approach
Analytical Framework for Retrospective Technology Assessment of Direct Coal Liquefaction
Pre-1939 Development of Direct Coal Liquefaction
History of Direct Coal Liquefaction Development in the United States
H-Coal: The Baseline Case
An Economics-Driven Perspective on Direct Coal Liquefaction
A Public Policy-Driven Perspective on Direct Coal Liquefaction
Conclusions—The Effects of Support Hiatus on Direct Coal Liquefaction Development

Editorial Reviews

Monograph provides policy shapers in the governmental, industrial and academic community with detailed review of the economic, technological, political and historical circumstances which have and will in the future bear on the development of coal liquification as a major element in the nation's fuel economy. Nicely produced, with good graphics, detailed notes and references. (NW) Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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