Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

U.S. jet flies on biofuel

|
|
 
  
Published: Jan. 9, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Advertisement

HOUSTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- A U.S.-based Continental Airlines Boeing 737-800 was the first to fly using biofuel.

The plane took off from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport and was the first U.S. commercial jet to fly on a mix of conventional jet fuel and biofuel, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The plane flew out over the Gulf of Mexico toward southwestern Louisiana and touched back down at Intercontinental.

The test proved that the mix of jet fuel and biofuel burned more efficiently than the traditional jet fuel. The plane burned 3,600 pounds of a 50-50 jet fuel-biofuel mix in one engine and 3,700 pounds of traditional fuel.

"This demonstration flight represents another step in Continental's ongoing commitment to fuel efficiency and environmental responsibility," said Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner. "The technical knowledge we gain today will contribute to a wider understanding of the future for transportation fuels."

Topics: Fuel Efficiency
© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Energy Resources Stories
1 of 29
Members of the Army's Old Guard place flags at Arlington National Ceremtery
View Caption
U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
fark
"NFL locker rooms could be more than ready to not only accept, but embrace homosexual teammates"...
Mayor of a New Jersey town and worried about the recall drive against you? No problem, just hack...
Not news: man divorces wife over her cats. Fark: she has 550 of them
You're in the office, these animals are in the sun
"We will not let a tornado ruin our wedding, FARK you tornado"
Well, you know what they say: "crazy in the head"