Fuels of the Future

Authors

Dr.-Ing. W. Warnecke, Dr. W. Lueke, Dr. L. Clarke, Dr. J. Louis, Shell Global Solutions, Hamburg/Chester; Dr. S. Kempsell, Shell International Petroleum Company, London

Year

2006

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 622

Summary

We are facing an increasingly uncertain future for energy. The Shell Global Scenarios evaluate the impact of different world models on energy and fuel issues. These scenarios indicate that the use of non-conventional fuels will increase, but not enough to compensate for the growing demand for transportation fuels. Crude oil, as well as gas and coal, will therefore continue to play a significant role in the years to come. Reduction of greenhouse gases is a main driver for non-conventional fuels and the only short-term option available is the introduction of bio-fuels. First Generation Bio-fuels like bio-ethanol and esterified vegetable oils typically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50%. Advanced Bio-fuels can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 90% and because these are made from waste biomass they offer increased overall availability. Shell invested in two Advanced Bio-fuels processes. In the IOGEN process Eco-ethanol® is produced from straw using enzymes. The combination of Choren gasification with Shell Fischer-Tropsch technology results in production of Biomass To Liquid Fuel, which combines the performance benefits of Gas To Liquid Fuel with a significant reduction in greenhouse gases. Woodchips are one pos-sible feedstock for this process. Locally optimised solutions will lead to a range of non-conventional fuels that will become available in the next few years. These are likely to be deployed as blending components with conventional gasoline and diesel. Such a diversity of fuel options poses challenges to ensure ongoing compatibility between future fuels and engine technologies, but should increase the robustness of the transport fuel market to future energy supply uncertainties. To meet future environmental challenges, an important contribution to this future portfolio will be the integrated development of advanced fuels and powertrains.

Order Members Login