Oxfordshire’s Reaction Engines to partner with Honeywell to lower aircraft emissions

Oxfordshire-based aerospace manufacturer, Reaction Engines has signed a memorandum of understanding with American conglomerate Honeywell International.

The agreement will see the two firms collaborating on the development of advanced thermal management technologies which will lower fuel consumption and reduce aircraft emissions, regardless of fuel type.

Together, they will adapt Reaction Engines’ unique microtube heat exchanger technology to work across a broad range of Honeywell’s sustainable aviation thermal management solutions systems; Reaction Engines’ heat exchange technology can reduce an aircraft’s weight by more than 30 per cent, meaning less fuel consumption and either longer range or higher capacity.

Tom Burvill, director of Applied Technologies at Reaction Engines, said: “Our transformative thermal management technology provides a step change in performance, efficiency and sustainability and is a genuine enabler of zero-emissions aerospace.

“Decarbonizing the aerospace industry is one of the most significant challenges facing humankind today, and we are committed to creating solutions that promote sustainability and clean aviation. We are delighted to collaborate with Honeywell on ground-breaking projects that will accelerate the road map to net-zero aviation.”

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The technology has wide-ranging potential across the aerospace industry, with heat exchangers an important component of many of Honeywell’s aircraft mechanical systems.

Future generations of aircraft powered by sustainable fuels will require much more efficient and lightweight thermal management than what is available today.

Advancements of this technology will help aircraft manufacturers deliver on sustainability commitments and meet government sustainability regulations while increasing operational efficiencies.

Michelle Drage, vice president of Air and Thermal Systems at Honeywell Aerospace, said: “At Honeywell, we are proud to work on projects that have the potential to improve the future of aviation.

“Building on our relationship with Reaction Engines provides an exciting opportunity to apply our combined expertise on new thermal management and heat exchange technology to provide increased efficiency for our customers and to make an impact on global sustainability goals.”

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