China successfully tests smog-fighting drones that spray chemicals to capture air pollution



Parafoil plane has a gliding parachute and carries smog-clearing chemicals

Carries three times the weight of planes and sprays within a 5km radius

Project is being led by China's Meteorological Administration

Drone was built by state-owned firm Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC)



Researchers successfully tested the vehicles at a n airport in central China's Hubei province on Sunday

Scientists have likened the smog in Beijing to the effects of nuclear winter

Premier Li Keqiang recently declared 'war on pollution' in Chinese cities







China has a new ally in its raging battle with the fog and smog lingering over Beijing - an unmanned drone spraying chemicals above the city.



The Chinese government, with help from state-owned firm Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), successfully tested the unmanned vehicles over the weekend at a n airport in central China's Hubei province.

Called the Parafoil plane, the device is fitted to a gliding parachute and can carry 700kg of smog-clearing chemicals that can be used within a 5km radius - three times the cargo weight of common planes.



The Chinese government, with help from state-owned firm Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC), successfully tested its Parafoil unmanned plane, pictured, over the weekend at an airport in central China's Hubei province. The plane has been designed to disperse smog above China's cities

HOW DOES PARAFOIL WORK?

The device is fitted to a gliding parachute and can carry 700kg of smog-clearing chemicals - three times the cargo weight of common planes. These chemicals can be used within a 5km radius. It works by spraying the chemical catalyst, which reacts with the particles in the smog and freezes the pollutants.

These pollutants then drop to the ground. The soft-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is said to cost 90 per cent less than fixed-wing drones currently used to clear the smog. For several years, China has used aeroplanes and fixed-wing drones to spray the chemicals in the air. The Parafoil is more accurate, easier to control and has no complicated landing requirements.



The soft-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is also said to cost 90 per cent less than fixed-wing drones currently used to clear the smog.



It works by spraying a chemical catalyst, which reacts with the particles in the smog and freezes the pollutants.



These pollutants then drop to the ground.



The drone is designed to tackle the worsening pollution crisis that has seen scientists liken the smog in Beijing to the 'effects of a nuclear winter.'

The project is being led by the China Meteorological Administration and aviation experts, state news agency Xinhua reported.

For several years, China has used aeroplanes and fixed-wing drones to spray the chemicals in the air.



At the opening of an annual parliament meeting last week, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China will 'declare war on pollution' after nearly every Chinese city monitored for pollution last year failed to meet state standards.

The Parafoil plane is fitted to a gliding parachute, pictured, and can carry 700kg of smog-clearing chemicals - three times the cargo weight of common planes. These chemicals can be used within a 5km radius

Parafoil, pictured, works by spraying a chemical catalyst, which reacts with the particles in the smog and freezes the pollutants. These pollutants then drop to the ground. The soft-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is said to cost 90 per cent less than fixed-wing drones currently used to clear the smog

The environment has emerged as one of Beijing's key priorities amid growing public disquiet about urban smog, dwindling and polluted water supplies and the widespread industrial contamination of farmland.

Compared to other methods for spreading catalysts, the use of drones reduces the risks and cut costs.

'Even in thick fog the UAV could fly an accurate route,' engineer Guo Haijun said.

The Parafoil plane is fitted with a gliding parachute and 'could be used to conduct agricultural seeding, emergency rescue and other tasks', said AVIC CEO Ma Yongsheng.

At the opening of an annual parliament meeting last week, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China will 'declare war on pollution' after nearly every Chinese town and city, including the Hebei province pictured, monitored for pollution last year failed to meet state standards.

The drone, pictured, was built by a subsidiary of Aviation Industry Corp of China. It is more accurate and easier to control than fixed planes

He continued that the drone was easy to control and had no complicated landing requirements, making it suitable for airport and port conditions.

State-owned AVIC is the unlisted parent company of Shenzhen-listed AVIC Aircraft Industry Corp of China.



Pollution was so severe in Beijing at the start of March that aircraft were grounded, roads closed and tourists numbers hit.



The direct danger posed to human health was also underlined by the World Health Organisation, whose readings in Beijing had alarming results.



It was reported that the level of PM 2.5 particles - a key measure of pollution because they are small enough to be assimilated into the blood stream - reached 505 micrograms per cubic metre, far higher than the maximum level it considers to be safe, which is 25.



Authorities have introduced anti-pollution policies and often pledged to clean up the environment but the problem has not eased.

