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Professor Chris Wilson, Director of the University´s Low Carbon Combustion Centre, Dr Eulian Roberts, Managing Director of QSTP, Dr Mark H. Weichold, Dean and Chief Executive Officer of Texas A&M in Qatar, and Mr Andy Brown, Shell´s Executive Vice President in Qatar signed the agreement to perform further in-depth assessment of the physical properties of GTL Jet Fuel for use in commercial planes.
Physical properties are critical to the performance of a fuel. The research will further investigate the physical properties of different blends of GTL Kerosene and oil-derived kerosene to maximise overall fuel performance.
The research agreement is part of scientific work being undertaken by a consortium of Airbus, Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, QSTP, Rolls-Royce, Shell and WOQOD to quantify the benefits of using GTL Jet Fuel.
The agreement enables the consortium to access an even deeper pool of expertise, including in Qatar. The consortium is following a research network approach that links junior Qatari scientists with senior researchers in Qatar abroad.
A Qatar Airways Airbus A340-600 yesterday completed the first commercial passenger flight powered GTL Jet Fuel, flying from London Gatwick to Doha. Data from this flight will be used by scientists in Qatar as part of the consortium´s research work. GTL Jet Fuel, with GTL kerosene up to 50 per cent, was fully and unconditionally approved as safe for use in civil aviation by ASTM International (originally known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) last month.
Professor Wilson from the University of Sheffield, said: "This project offers a unique opportunity for Qatari researchers to enhance collaborations with their peers around the world. Alternative fuel for aviation is a global commodity and collaborations such as these guarantee that we develop and use consistent methodologies when assessing new fuels. This helps to ensure that any new fuel is fit for purpose."
Mr Brown, of Shell, said: "I am confident that this network approach to research, linking institutions in Qatar and beyond, will both deliver the research progress we need and help young Qatari scientists develop their expertise. The work is important since it will help Qatar maximise the value it derives from GTL, by accessing the aviation fuel market effectively."
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