Press Releases
Shell Completes Gas to Liquids Fuel Trial in California
01/11/2004
Shell announced the results of a yearlong Gas to Liquids (GTL) fuel trial have been announced involving six trucks operating on conventional engines provided by California-based bottled water distributor, Yosemite Waters.
The results of the trial, which scientifically demonstrated the robust operability of the combination of fuel and exhaust systems and a significant reduction in emissions, will also be presented today at the Society of Automotive Engineering Conference in Tampa, Florida, by one of the industrial partners with which Shell has collaborated.
The results show that GTL Fuel reduced all regulated emissions, with a cut in oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 16 percent and 23 percent respectively during a New York City Bus drive (NYCB) cycle without a particulate filter. The NYCB cycle is a standard set of simulated driving conditions used by researchers to test emissions. With a Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter, NOx and PM emissions were further reduced, with overall reductions of 20 percent and 97 percent respectively.
GTL Fuel, a unique colorless and odorless synthetic fuel made from natural gas, with virtually no sulfur and aromatics is expected to play a key role in the transition to renewable fuels and advanced engine designs.
“These trial results provide important data to legislators, commercial users and the public and will allow them to make better decisions about air quality,” said Jack Jacometti, VP global GTL development. “Based on our experience in GTL Fuel trials across the globe, this fuel is increasingly seen as the most cost-effective alternative fuel for reducing emissions in transport.”
Shell is also currently working on a six-month road trial involving heavy-duty trucks with Ralphs Groceries stores in Southern California. This trial, expected to conclude in February 2005, will compare two trucks operating on GTL Fuel against two trucks operating on standard CARB diesel.
Government agencies and industrial partners joined together in both trials in an effort to research ways to improve air quality in Southern California. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) and California Energy Commission (CEC) were among the organizations supporting the Yosemite Waters and Ralphs Groceries trials. GTL Fuel, which can be blended with conventional diesel and used in today’s diesel engine vehicles without modifications, offers governments a strategic diversification of energy supply.
Shell GTL Fuel has successfully demonstrated a reduction in emissions and improved performance in trials involving passenger cars in Germany and heavy-duty trucks in Japan and now, in California. Recently, a Shell GTL Fuel blend was launched in a bus trial in Shanghai, China. Blends of GTL Fuel are currently being sold at Shell retail stations under the V-Power Diesel brand in Germany and The Netherlands, as Pura Diesel in Thailand and Shell Diesel 2004 in Greece.
The companies in which the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and the Shell Transport and Trading Company. p.l.c. directly or indirectly own investments are separate and distinct entities. In this release, the expression “Shell” is used to refer to the individual company or companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies that are carrying the particular activity described in this release.
Visit www.shell.com/gtl - opens in new window for more information about Gas to Liquids, including further details of the industrial partners with whom Shell collaborated on these projects.
Notes to Editors
This press release has been issued by Shell Oil Company on behalf of Shell International Gas.