Shell Removes Lead From Light Aircraft Fuel

PR55208

LONDON, Dec. 4, 2013 /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Shell today became the first major oil company to develop a lead-free

replacement for Aviation Gasoline (Avgas 100 and 100LL), which will now begin a

strict regulatory approvals process. Avgas is one of the last common

transportation fuels to contain lead and is used by light aircraft and

helicopters. Shell's new lead-free formulation comes after 10 years of

exhaustive R&D, as well as successful initial testing, carried out in the last

two months by two original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

    Xinsheng (Sheng) Zhang, Vice-President of Shell Aviation, said: "We are

proud of this first for Shell Aviation. This advanced product is the latest

milestone in our long history of innovation. We believe that with industry

support, a stringent approvals process can be completed for this new lead-free

product within a short time-frame. We look forward to working alongside our

technical partners and authorities to progress the necessary approvals needed

to make this product a reality for use in light aircraft engines of all types."

    Avgas currently includes lead in its formulation to meet fuel

specifications and boost combustion performance (known as Motor Octane rating).

Shell has developed an unleaded Avgas that meets all key Avgas properties and

that has a Motor Octane rating of over 100, an industry standard. The

development of a technically and commercially-viable unleaded Avgas that meets

these criteria has been seen by the aviation industry as a significant

challenge, due to the tight specifications and strict flight safety standards

that it has to adhere to.

    To get to this stage, Shell Aviation technologists carried out an intensive

internal laboratory programme, including in-house altitude rig and engine

testing. Working alliances were then formed with aviation engine manufacturer

Lycoming Engines (Lycoming) and the light aircraft manufacturer Piper Aircraft

Inc. (Piper). As a result, the formulation was successfully evaluated in

industry laboratory engine (bench) tests by Lycoming and in a flight test by

Piper.

    "Lycoming Engines commends Shell on launching its unleaded Avgas

initiative," states Michael Kraft, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of

Lycoming Engines. "They engaged Lycoming to test their fuel on our highest

octane demand engine and we can confirm that it's remarkably close to Avgas

100LL from a performance perspective. This initiative is a major step in the

right direction for general aviation."

    "Piper Aircraft is pleased to participate with Shell and Lycoming in this

feasibility flight test programme," said Piper Vice-President of Engineering

Jack Mill. "Recently, we successfully flew an experimental non-production Piper

Saratoga with Shell's new formulation for about an hour. We appreciate the

opportunity to work with Shell and Lycoming in this preliminary investigation

of the technologies, which could in several years lead to flying unleaded fuel

in our production airplanes."

    Shell will now engage the aviation industry, regulators and authorities,

including the US Federal Aviation Administration, American Society for Testing

and Materials (ASTM) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to achieve

approvals for the unleaded Avgas. Shell expects to also work with other OEMs to

continue the testing and refinement program as the approvals process progresses.

    NOTES TO EDITORS

    For supporting images please click here

[http://shell-moodboard.qbank.se/?h=529cc3ad8f84f545205dbbd6ea0629a5 ].

    - The two main types of aviation

      [http://www.shell.com/home/content/aviation/products/fuels ] fuel are

      aviation turbine fuel (jet fuel) and aviation gasoline (Avgas). Jet fuel

      is used by larger, gas-turbine-engine powered aircraft, while Avgas is

      used in smaller, piston-engine powered aircraft. Both are produced to

very

      stringent specifications.

    - There are two main Avgas grades, 100 and 100LL (low lead). 100 is a

      measurement of octane rating.

    - Avgas is gasoline type fuel. The global volume for Avgas is much lower

      than jet fuel, as although Avgas-fuelled aircraft outnumber jet-fuelled

      aircraft, they are generally much smaller.

    About Shell Aviation

    - Shell Aviation is a leading global supplier of aviation fuels and

      lubricants with a heritage of over 100 years. We produce aviation fuels

      and lubricants (across a range of grades); market, sell and distribute

      them - as well as offer further related services to customers. We supply

      fuel at around 800 airports in approximately 40 countries. We refuel a

      plane every 12 seconds.

    - Our customers are airports and airlines, big and small, plus private

      customers such as corporate jet operators and flying clubs. We have one

of

      the world's most extensive fuelling networks and have a strong supply

      chain. Used worldwide, our AeroShell aviation lubricants range is one

of    

      the world's most comprehensive with proven performance.

    - We have a portfolio of world-class brands and products and continue to

      invest in technical innovation. We have strong working relationships with

      OEMs, put the customer at the heart of what we do and respond to industry

      opportunities and challenges.

    Royal Dutch Shell plc

    Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE:RDS.A)(NYSE:RDS.B) is incorporated in England

and Wales, has its headquarters in The Hague and is listed on the London,

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than 70 countries and territories with businesses including oil and gas

exploration and production; production and marketing of liquefied natural gas

and gas to liquids; manufacturing, marketing and shipping of oil products and

chemicals and renewable energy projects. For further information, visit

http://www.shell.com.

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    SOURCE: Royal Dutch Shell plc