China Eastern tests flight using biofuel
Updated: 2013-04-25 02:11
By WANG YING in Shanghai (China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Airline wants to become more environmentally friendly business
|
Workers fuel a China Eastern Airlines airplane that uses biofuel for a trial flight early on Wednesday morning in Shanghai. Liu Xin / for China Daily |
The company said it now plans to introduce biofuel for commercial flights to reduce carbon emissions, although it has not revealed a timetable.
"Biofuel-powered aircraft make our flights more environmentally friendly," said Captain Liu Zhimin, who piloted Wednesday's flight.
The jet, which used a palm oil biofuel made by China Petroleum and Chemical Corp, or Sinopec, Asia's largest oil refiner, flew for 85 minutes after taking off from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
Liu said he performed several extreme maneuvers, including diving above 12,000 meters, but found no significant difference between the Sinopec biofuel and gasoline. The plane's left fuel tank was filled with gasoline to allow him to compare.
"The performance of the biofuel during the takeoff was powerful," the pilot added.
Sinopec is the first company in China to master the technology of turning palm oil and waste cooking oil into jet biofuel.
"We have developed two kinds of biofuel, palm oil and waste cooking oil, and the fuel we used during this flight was palm oil," Huang Zhongwen, deputy director of publicity for Sinopec Zhenhai Refining and Chemical Co, told China Daily.
"We have the capability of turning waste cooking oil into jet fuel, although the cost will be higher than producing ordinary fuel," he said, without providing specifics on the cost difference.
Waste cooking oil is dubbed gutter oil in China as illicit oil producers have recycled waste oil collected from gutters behind restaurants. The oil, which contains carcinogenic substances, is dangerous to human health.
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Disaster: Self help and survival |
Life resumes in 'isolated island' |
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
Today's Top News
Xi urges prevention against secondary disasters
Leaders see challenges for economy
China calls on Japan to face history
China confirms high-sea voyage of aircraft carrier
China denies army's India trespass
Canada to return illegal assets
Sluggish growth takes its toll on foreign lenders
Investors find a home in overseas real estate
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |