The Fascinating History of Aviation Fuel and Chemical Innovation in the North West of England
By Myfanwy Fleming-Jones
Cheshire was a hub of innovation during the Second World War for its vital influence in research and production of fuel for Spitfires and other RAF aircraft. Shell’s Thornton Research Centre near Ellesmere Port was the main location for the progress made during WWII by developing 100-Octane Aviation Fuel, a crucial discovery that advanced British aircraft leagues ahead of the enemy’s 87-octane fuel fighter jets.
100-Octane fuel allowed higher boost pressures for the fighter jets, increasing engine power and climb rate. The work that the Thornton Research centre produced on refining isoparaffins to improve fuel quality led to better detonation resistance and improved performance for the Spitfires engines.
This development significantly improved Spitfire and Hurricane performance, most prominently, during the Battle of Britain (1940). The 100-octane grade fuel outperformed German aircraft which mostly used 87 to 89-octane fuel, hence giving them the advantage and giving a critical edge in dogfights, outmatching German aircraft and contributing to a decisive advantage in the skies.
This work done in Cheshire was crucial in improving the domestic production of this advanced fuel and distributing it within the UK as prior to this discovery the RAF transported supplies of 100-Octance fuel from the US.
The broader chemical industry in the North West
During the 19th and 20th centuries the chemical and aviation industry in Cheshire grew significantly due to the area’s rich natural resources, particularly salt deposits around Northwich, Winsford, and Middlewich. These salt deposits were a vital raw material for the region’s ongoing chemical processes, such as soda ash manufacturing, aiding them on their innovation journey. This success for the Thornton Research Centre was also contributed too by the proximity of coalfields, canals, and railways, providing critical infrastructure and transport links for industrial growth.
Due to these reasons, Cheshire has been host to several significant chemical production sites: Runcorn, Winnington, Ellesmere Port and Stanlow Refinery – facilitating and transporting crude oil and petrochemical products. This petrochemical industry in Cheshire flourished during the 20th Century due to the increased global demand for synthetic materials like plastics and fibres.1
The importance of The Imperial Chemical Industries
The Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) was a major British chemical company involved in producing and developing a wide variety of pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, dyes, fragrances and electronic materials. Notably, the ICI was the birthplace of polyethylene as well as popular household brands still recognised today such as Dulux paints and Perspex. The Heath Business and Technical Park in Runcorn, Cheshire, and surrounding area was the headquarters for ICI Pharmaceuticals, once home to 6,000 scientific research and product development personnel. Some of today’s major chemical companies, including AstraZeneca and Syngenta, have their origins in the ICI. The Heath is now privately owned by John Lewis MBE and is still a hub of innovation for a more modern ecosystem developing new technologies to solve today’s challenges.2 The legacy infrastructure serves as the perfect foundation for the Avioxx Advanced Fuels Laboratory.
The future of sustainability in Cheshire
As the North West region transitions towards sustainable manufacturing of aviation fuel, Avioxx plans to build their own Sustainable Aviation Fuel refinery in Cheshire, an area known for its innovation and success within the aviation sector. This comes into play alongside The HyNet North West Project, ‘a project that will bring together proven technology and infrastructure needed to drive us towards a net zero future’.3 This project focuses on green hydrogen production and carbon dioxide capture, transportation and storage in the North West of England, leveraging existing pipeline networks for transport and empty oil and gas fields for storage. Repurposing legacy infrastructure for carbon capture, as well as green hydrogen supply, will play a vital role in driving the growth of clean industry in the region. Similar to this, Liverpool John Moore’s University is collaborating with SMEs in the North West to drive innovation and aid the transition to digital technology solutions for manufacturing.4
These future trends can already be seen coming into play as they work towards creating a net zero future. Avioxx is contributing to this essential progress and doing so in the location that has changed the fate of the world through aviation before.
For more information about Avioxx and our SAF development programme, please get in touch at info@avioxx.com.
1 https://www.eetfuels.com/news/stanlow-celebrates-a-century-of-powering-britain/
2 https://sog.ltd.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Heath-Case-Study-.pdf
4 Innovation support | LCR 4.0 | Liverpool John Moores University