UK minister launches London bus trial of new ultra-clean fuel
Posted: 8 July 2003
A London bus running on Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies’
(Shell’s) new ultra clean fuel was launched today by Green
Fuels Minister David Jamieson.
Shell, London General and the DaimlerChrysler subsidiary EvoBus
(UK) Ltd. will be trialling the fuel over the next few months on
a 507 ‘bendy bus’, running from Waterloo to Victoria.
Shell Gas to Liquids (GTL) Transport Fuel is a unique synthetic
product derived from natural gas rather than crude oil. It is a
clear liquid, free of sulphur and aromatics and offers significantly
lower vehicle emissions of local pollutants such as nitrogen oxide,
particulates, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons than conventional
diesel.
The gas-derived fuel opens up the possibility of a strategic diversification
of the UK’s automotive fuel supply. Shell’s proprietary
GTL technology turns gas into a stable liquid, enabling the commercialisation
of gas found in remote areas — otherwise known as stranded
gas — because liquid products are much easier to transport
to markets around the world.
It can be used in conventional diesel engines without the need
for any modifications, representing a very cost effective means
of reducing local air emissions.
Clive Mather, Chairman of Shell UK Limited, said: “Gas to
Liquids technology offers an exciting opportunity as part of a wide
range of future fuels that Shell has under development. It provides
a cost effective way to improve urban air quality, something we
would all welcome. Shell is proud to be at the leading edge in the
development of customer-driven innovations for conventional fuels,
and I hope that in the future we can bring GTL to the streets of
London and to the rest of the UK.”
GTL fuel is currently produced on a relatively small scale at Shell’s
plant in Bintulu, Malaysia. The plant — the world’s
only commercial Gas to Liquids facility of its kind — produces
12,500 barrels per day of transport fuels and specialty products.
Shell is working hard to develop the next generation of plants,
each with a capacity of over 70,000 bpd, which could see this innovative
fuel being available in larger quantities by the end of the decade.
Shell will be monitoring the 507 bus, which runs at peak hours,
throughout the three months of the trial, checking that it delivers
the sort of emissions, fuel consumption and performance benefits
that have already been seen in trials elsewhere in the world.
A fleet of Volkswagen cars is also currently testing the fuel in
Berlin, Germany.
For more information see www.shell.com.
Posted by Richard Price,
Editor Pipeline Magazine
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