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Honeywell Unveils High-Efficiency Mode Upgrade for Boeing 737 APUs

  • 20 Jun 2023

Honeywell has introduced an upgrade for its 131-9B auxiliary power unit (APU) that can enhance the efficiency of the Boeing 737 aircraft. The High-Efficiency Mode (HEM) upgrade leverages an innovative, highly efficient diffuser, supported by autonomous software that regulates airflow to the APU compressor section. This enhancement is poised to deliver fuel savings, efficiency gains, and reduced CO2 emissions of 1% to 2%. Additionally, it promises to extend the APU’s time-on-wing by up to 1,500 flight hours, ultimately leading to reduced fuel and maintenance expenses.

APUs play a pivotal role in aircraft operations, providing electrical power and air conditioning while the plane is on the ground to ensure passenger comfort. They also serve as the power source when a pilot initiates the main engines. Honeywell has a rich history in the APU domain, with its first APU taking flight in 1950. The company has manufactured over 100,000 APUs with more than 36,000 APUs, spanning fixed-wing and rotary-wing applications, in active service across regional, executive, commercial, and military applications today.

The 131-9B APU is renowned for its reliability and cost-efficiency throughout its operational life cycle. Heath Patrick, President of Americas Aftermarket at Honeywell Aerospace, highlighted the significance of this upgrade in the context of the aviation industry’s sustainability efforts. “Globally, airlines are working to reduce their carbon footprint and every incremental step will help them achieve their net-zero carbon emissions targets,” he noted. “An airline with a fleet of 50 737s could realize as much as US$450,000 in annual fuel savings and reduce its emissions by up to 1,100 metric tons of CO2, depending on operating conditions.”

The HEM upgrade is designed for aircraft already equipped with a 131-9B APU, including Boeing 737-600, 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, and 737 MAX models. The upgrade can be seamlessly incorporated during any routine maintenance event and does not necessitate additional downtime for newer 131-9B APUs (series 49 and above) equipped with the new diffuser, enabling an on-wing upgrade to HEM.

The introduction of HEM follows its successful implementation on Airbus A320 Series aircraft in 2020, with over 700 131-9A APUs currently benefiting from the upgrade.

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