China sees first flight powered by biofuel  

中國生物航煤首飛成功 “地溝油”從此變廢為寶

中國自主研發生產的以1號生物航煤為燃料的商業客機24日在上海首次試飛成功。該生物航煤以餐飲廢油為原料，“地溝油”從此變廢為寶。

Beijing (CNS) - China Eastern Airlines conducted a test flight in Shanghai on Wednesday using an A-320 Airbus fueled by biofuel, mainly gutter oil, made by Sinopec Group.

Liu Zhimin and Zhouxiao Qingjun, captains in charge of the flight, said that there was enough power during the flight and there is no difference from traditional aviation fuel.

The 85-minute flight means China has become the fourth country to develop aviation biofuel, following the United States, France and Finland. Sinopec Group also becomes China's first enterprise to develop the technology.

European and American countries began developing bio-aviation fuel and related pilot flights in 2008 and started commercial flights in 2011. The biofuel mainly uses coconut oil, palm oil, jatropha seed oil, linseed oil, algae oil, gutter oil and animal fat as raw materials.

Sinopec Group began the research in 2009 and built facilities and equipment for production in 2011. It began producing biofuel from gutter oil in October 2012.

At present, China consumes nearly 2,000 tons of aviation fuel annually. The International Air Transport Association predicts that biofuel will reach 30 percent of total aviation fuel by 2020.