Honeywell has been selected by eVTOL aircraft developer Lilium to provide its thermal management system for the company’s all-electric Lilium Jet.
Lilium selected Honeywell’s MicroVCS (vapor cycle system) to optimize cabin cooling and manage the aircraft’s electric battery temperatures, both critical functions for enabling more efficient and sustainable flight.
Honeywell and Lilium will partner to integrate the system into the Lilium Jet, which will also feature Honeywell Anthem Avionics, Honeywell-DENSO electric motors and Honeywell flight controls.
Production of the Lilium Jet is planned to start production later this year.
“In our collaboration with Honeywell, we’ve tapped into the numerous advantages of the MicroVCS, reinforcing the synergistic value with a single, innovative supplier providing multiple subsystems for the Lilium Jet,” said Lilium Chief Operating Officer Yves Yemsi. “Honeywell’s innovative subsystems offer a renewed perspective on aerospace possibilities.”
According to Honeywell its MicroVCS high-speed, oil-free centrifugal compressor technology allows the system to be 22% lighter than conventional screw or scroll compressor-based vapor cycle cooling systems. This weight savings avoids 9,900lbs (4,490kg) of CO2 emissions per year in an Advanced Air Mobility aircraft.
Additionally, the MicroVCS uses Honeywell Solstice zd refrigerant, with an ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1, which is 99.9% lower than R-134a used in competitor systems. Honeywell Solstice© zd provides 10% better hot-day power efficiency than the legacy R-134a refrigerant when used in an equivalent refrigeration cycle.
“The MicroVCS is a ready-now solution that embodies Honeywell’s dedication to creating a more sustainable future for air travel,” said Dave Shilliday, Honeywell’s vice president and general manager, Advanced Air Mobility. “This technology is a great fit for Advanced Air Mobility vehicles, but its versatility also enables it to be seamlessly integrated into other applications, such as business aviation and defense aircraft.”
