China sees first flight powered by biofuel  

中国生物航煤首飞成功 “地沟油”从此变废为宝

中国自主研发生产的以1号生物航煤为燃料的商业客机24日在上海首次试飞成功。该生物航煤以餐饮废油为原料，“地沟油”从此变废为宝。

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.