Shell: Aviation fuel additive trial begins in search of environmental and economic benefits
05-Jan-2001
Shell Aviation, together with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and BetzDearborn –
a division of Hercules Incorporated, has during the last month, commenced
a flight trial of a jet fuel performance-enhancing additive. The trial, the first of
its kind, aims to demonstrate that using this additive in jet fuel can provide
both environmental and economic benefits to commercial aviation.
The high temperature dispersant/detergent chemistry performs a similar
function to that which has been featured for many years in automotive
gasoline and diesel fuel additives. The companies expect that the flight trial
will demonstrate similar performance benefits in the turbine engines used in
commercial aviation. The patented liquid additive is designed to keep fuel
and injector systems clean, reducing exhaust emissions, improving fuel
efficiency and lowering maintenance costs.
The additive being used for the KLM trial was designed by BetzDearborn
during a US Air Force research and development programme to develop a
fuel with enhanced thermal stability. Of hundreds of additives tested, it was
the only one to progress through engine tests, flight trials and into service.
Improvement in the thermal stability significantly reduces the tendency of
the fuel to degrade and to form deposits, lacquers and coke in the hot
areas of the engine fuel system. By keeping fuel spray nozzles clean and
preventing coking, more efficient combustion is promoted, with resultant
reduction in coke deposits and thermal stress in the combustor, turbine
and afterburner (in military aircraft) areas.
BetzDearborn, which developed and manufactures the additive, markets the
product in North America; Shell Aviation markets the product in the rest of
the world. KLM is the world's first commercial airline to trial the product.
KLM’S Vice President Fleet services Michel Coumans said: ‘KLM is
pleased to be the first commercial airline to trial the additive with such
renowned companies as Shell Aviation and BetzDearborn. It is further proof
of our continuous effort towards sustainability and a demonstration of our
leadership and commitment to the environment.
Additionally, we hope the trial may bring benefits which contribute towards
constraining our aviation fuel and engine maintenance costs.’
There has been an extensive approval process involving the additive prior to
the start of the trial. The trial will involve two KLM Boeing 747-400 aircraft
powered by GE CF6-80 engines. Shell Aviation and KLM Refuelling
Services have arranged injection of the additive into the fuel supplied to
these aircraft at Amsterdam Schiphol and several airports in Asia. The trial
is expected to last for a period of twelve months.
Other news from the department research and development
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