2021/08/04
On April 26, 2021, the ANA Group announced a goal to reduce CO2 emissions from airplanes to virtually zero by 2050. Most of the CO2 emitted by the ANA Group is from airplanes; therefore, how to reduce this is a major issue for us.
How much fuel does an airplane need to fly?
An airplane uses an engine attached to its wings to burn jet fuel which generate forward force (thrust), and the force that lifts the wings (lift) to fly in the sky.
Approximately 90 tons of fuel is required when flying from Tokyo to London. The amount of CO2 emitted when consuming this jet fuel is about 280 tons. It is said that CO2 per ton is equivalent to the amount of 25m swimming pool, so it means that CO2 for about 280 of 25m swimming pools are emitted when flying from Tokyo to London.
How to consume less fuel
There are several ways to consume less fuel, one of which is to use an airplane equipped with a new engine that produces greater thrust with less fuel. The ANA Group is actively introducing such airplanes, but just as any engine, as it get used, dust and dirt adhere to the compressor (a place to compress air for efficient combustion) inside the engine. From this, the amount of fuel required to produce thrust, in other words the amount of CO2 emitted, will gradually increase.
By cleaning this dirt and dust by "water wash" (washing inside of the engine with water), it is possible to reduce the amount of fuel required for flights and reduce CO2 emissions.
How do you perform engine water wash?
We interviewed a mechanic, a tool manager, and an engineer about the details of water wash!
Interviewing the mechanic who performs water wash! What is "water wash"?
Interviewing the mechanic who operates water wash! What is Water Wash? This is a 2 minute and 13 second video with audio.
Character: Mr. Suzuki from Base Maintenance Department, ANA Engineering and Maintenance Center
Situation: He answers questions in front of the aircraft's engine.
Questions:
0:18 What is water wash?
1:07 How do you operate the engine during water wash?
1:24 Wouldn't the internal parts rust after the engine is water washed?
1:40 Has your awareness of the environment changed?
At the last moment, the "ANA Future Promise" logo appears.
Interviewing the mechanic who performs water wash! What is Water Wash? This is the title of the video.
0:17 - 1:04 Mr. Suzuki explains what engine waterwash is, with the video of engine waterwash in the background.
After 1:05, there is a video of Mr. Suzuki talking in front of an airplane engine. As a part of the maintenance department's efforts, a photo of a box where plastic bags containing parts are collected for recycling is shown at the end of the video.
Interviewing the tool manager! Details of tool management for water wash!
Interviewing the tool manager! Details of tool management for water wash! This is a 1minute 42 second video with audio.
Character: Mr. Okugawa, from Haneda Maintenance Support Section, ANA Aero Supply Systems Co.,LTD
Situation: He answers questions in front of the equipment used in waterwash operations.
Questions:
0:15 How many tools do you maintain in the hangar tool room at Haneda Airport?
0:26 What do you pay attention to before and after tool lending for inspection?
0:53 When you lend tools to mechanics, how do you feel?
1:22 How do you want to contribute to reducing CO2 emissions?
At the last moment, the "ANA Future Promise" logo appears.
Interviewing the tool manager! Details of tool management for water wash! The title of this video is played.
The video shows Mr. Okugawa talking in front of the equipment used in waterwash operations. In the middle of the video, displays a view of the tool room, the storage of tools, and the maintenance area. Also, pictures of the equipment used in the waterwash operation are showed.
Interviewing the engineer who is working on the further evolution of water wash! Story behind the introduction of water wash!
Interviewing the engineer who is working on the further evolution of water wash! The story behind the introduction of water wash! This is a 2 minute 38 second video with audio.
Character: Mr.Konohira, from Engineering, ANA Engineering and Maintenance Center
Situation: He answers questions in front of the aircraft's engine.
Questions:
0:08 What kind of work do you usually do?
0:34 When did the ANA group start water washing engines, and what was the trigger?
0:58 How long did it take to get the engine water wash process in to work?
1:07 Please tell us the difficulities you had to overcome!
2:06 Is there anything you are currently working on to further reduce CO2 emissions?
At the last moment, the "ANA Future Promise" logo appears.
Interviewing the engineer who is working on the further evolution of water wash! The story behind the introduction of water wash! This is the title of the video. The video shows Mr. Konohira talking in front of an airplane engine. In the middle of the video, Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 aircraft, engine waterwash, the hanger and the apron, a device to fix the water hose for waterwash, and Boeing 737 engine are showed one by one.
How much CO2 can be reduced by "water wash"?
Water wash can reduce the amount of jet fuel consumed by about 1%. It seems very little but, when flying from Tokyo to London, it usually consumes about 90 tons of jet fuel, so 1% of that is about 900 kg.
As a result, about 2.8 tons of CO2 emissions can be reduced, which is equivalent to the amount of CO2 for about 3 of 25m swimming pools.
The ANA Group will continue to work on reducing CO2 emissions to reach our 2050 Goals.
