Aircraft engine wash system reduces carbon dioxide emissions
Air India has announced significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions after using engine washing technology developed by an American company.
The airline says that it has performed 124 washes using Pratt & Whitney's EcoPower technology, saving more than 540,000 gallons of fuel worth $1.9 million and reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 5,300 metric tons.
Pratt & Whitney, part of US-based United Technologies Corp, designed the system to reduce wastage during the engine washing process. It uses purified water to wash engines in a system that captures all effluent, eliminating the possibility of ground contamination. Because the system is transportable, it also reduces fuel burn because it is not necessary to move aircraft from their gate to a maintenance area for engine washes.
Air India Executive Director Mr. S. Rotkar said: “Pratt & Whitney's EcoPower engine wash will help us and our customers decrease operating costs, while reducing fuel burn and CO2 emissions. By using EcoPower engine wash, we estimate about 2.6 million gallons worth approximately $9.0 million USD in annual recurring fuel savings while eliminating more than 25,000 metric tons of CO2emissions.”
William Welch, general manager, Line Maintenance Services, Pratt & Whitney, said: “As one of the world's fastest growing aviation markets, the demand for engine wash service is expected to grow significantly in India in the coming years.”
Pratt & Whitney says that its system reduces fuel burn by as much as 1.2 per cent, eliminating three pounds of carbon dioxide emissions for every pound of fuel saved. Pratt & Whitney is part of United Technologies, based in Hartford, Connecticut.
Image © Steve Mann
Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing
