Abstract

Increasingly, the choices for energy will be a balance between Cost, Environment and Security of Supply. The main drivers for the development of alternative biofuels for aviation are:

a) Reducing environmental impact, especially CO2 emissions

b) Diversifying supply to include non-crude oil sources

For a whole range of reasons - expanded during the presentation - aviation needs a hydrocarbon based, kerosine-like fuel. The industry has agreed that any new fuel in the short to medium term must be a “drop-in replacement”.

The main focus for diversifying supply so far has been kerosines derived from Coal, Gas or Biomass via the Fischer-Tropsch process. Apart from improving fuel economy, the most obvious route to reducing aviation CO2 emissions is to use a renewable biofuel. As above, any biofuel for aviation needs to be hydrocarbon based and oxygenates (such as ethanol and FAMEs as used currently in ground transportation) are not attractive/practical for aviation.

The presentation will explore several viable alternative fuels for the aviation industry and their associated merits in terms of physical properties, life-cycle-assessment (“well-to-wake”) and aircraft performance as well as challenges such as availability and cost.

Biography

Paul Bogers holds an MSC in Aeronautical Engineering from Delft University in The Netherlands, and a a post-graduate degree in compressible fluid dynamics in turbomachinery from the Von Karman NATO Institute in Brussels.

In 1997 he joined industry, working for Rolls-Royce Aero Engines in the UK in a range of technical, commercial and strategic functions. After a short period of running a niche strategy consultancy he joined Shell Aviation in 2001. 

His first role was as Business Manager for turbine engine oils followed by an assignment as Project Manager for Differentiated Fuels, leading the KLM field evaluation of the APA101 jet fuel additive.

In January 2004 he was appointed European Sales Manager for aviation lubricants leading a most diverse virtual team serving customers from private pilots though to major airlines who rely on AeroShell.

Most recently, Paul joined Global Solutions in 2007 as the Aviation Technology Manager looking after the R&T needs across lubricants, fuels and fuel handling for Shell’s Aviation business.