European Consortium will develop future aircraft thermal management solutions for next-gen aircraft

A European Consortium held at Honeywell’s international development centre in Brno, Czech Republic, has launched plans to research and develop advanced thermal management components and architectures for next-gen narrowbody and regional, hybrid-electric aircraft. The Clean Aviation Project, Thermal Management for Hybrid Electric Regional Aircraft (TheMa4HERA), aims to reduce carbon emissions for next-generation aircraft.

Led from Honeywell’s Brno research facility, Project TheMa4HERA consists of 24 partners across 10 European countries and includes universities, research centres, equipment manufacturers and aircraft manufacturers. Together, the partners will review thermal management technology to compare and adapt to the architecture of next-generation aircraft.

Axel Krein, Executive Director, Clean Aviation, believes the development of disruptive solutions for aircraft energy efficiency will be “pivotal”: “The launch of TheMa4HERA will kick-start the necessary work to drive a step change in aircraft performance, supporting the delivery of EU Green Deal ambitions.”

Joeri De Ruytter, Regional Business Development and Partnerships Lead, Honeywell Aerospace, said: “We have a long history in thermal management design and manufacturing that dates back to the 1940s. In addition each partner on this project brings its expertise and passion for advancing sustainable aviation technologies.”

“Combined with our expansive portfolio and long-standing relationships with OEMs, this research provides the opportunity for a unified solution on current and future aircraft,” added De Ruytter.

Next-generation aircraft will require more efficient and lightweight thermal management systems so that aircraft manufacturers can deliver on sustainability commitments, meet government regulations and enable aircraft to fly farther on less fuel.

Project Partner Collins Aerospace will work across workstreams including research on thermal management architecture, air supply systems, air conditioning and system cooling as well as testing and demonstration. Nord Micro, Collins Aerospace’s Frankfurt-based subsidiary, will assist Honeywell with cabin air distribution on the project.

“Collins’ Nord Micro business has decades of experience developing state-of-the-art cabin pressure controls and ventilation systems for commercial and military platforms,” said Ulrich Raab, General Manager, Nord Micro:

“Working together with Honeywell and the rest of the TheMa4HERA consortium, we will optimise the design of new cabin air solutions to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions on future aircraft.”