Finnair saves fuel and cuts emissions by washing engines
Source: Finnair
“We nowadays use a water and ethanol mixture when washing engines in the winter and this enables us to wash them even at temperatures slightly below zero degrees Celsius. Thanks to this, we have been able to increase the number of engine washes and have helped create up to 1-2 % savings in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per year,” says Tuomo Karhumäki, VP of the Finnair Technical Services Engine Department.
The record-high fuel prices have highlighted the need for Finnair to save fuel. Fuel is already the largest expense for the airline, so even a one per cent cut in consumption means over one million euros in savings annually.
Air pollutants also stick to the compressors of the engine. Due to this, the engines of the Boeing MD-11 aircraft used in Finnair’s long-haul traffic are washed more often than previously. De- and anti-icing fluids are sucked into the engines on the tarmac or when taxiing, which highlights the need for engine washes in the winter.
Source: Finnair
03/07/2008
Finnair saves the environment and over one million euros per year by washing the engines on its aircraft more often than before. A clean and well maintained engine is at its most efficient and thus uses less fuel. Carbon dioxide emissions are also cut. “We nowadays use a water and ethanol mixture when washing engines in the winter and this enables us to wash them even at temperatures slightly below zero degrees Celsius. Thanks to this, we have been able to increase the number of engine washes and have helped create up to 1-2 % savings in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions per year,” says Tuomo Karhumäki, VP of the Finnair Technical Services Engine Department.
The record-high fuel prices have highlighted the need for Finnair to save fuel. Fuel is already the largest expense for the airline, so even a one per cent cut in consumption means over one million euros in savings annually.
Air pollutants also stick to the compressors of the engine. Due to this, the engines of the Boeing MD-11 aircraft used in Finnair’s long-haul traffic are washed more often than previously. De- and anti-icing fluids are sucked into the engines on the tarmac or when taxiing, which highlights the need for engine washes in the winter.
