February 24, 2021 – Honeywell has launched a new small version of its popular aircraft cabin UV treatment system. The new product includes a UV lamp and a portable backpack to help users quickly and economically reduce high-frequency contact with pathogens on surfaces, and is widely used in a wide range of modes of transportation, from buses, trains, cars to small aircraft.
"In June last year, Honeywell launched a UV treatment system in the aircraft cabin, which allows operators to push the product in the cabin aisle. We quickly realized that our customers also needed a device that was more portable and suitable for use in smaller spaces, so we stepped up with the development of the Honeywell UV Treatment Package. "The new product also uses proven UVC ultraviolet technology to effectively reduce viruses and bacteria and is suitable for a wide range of vehicles such as small aircraft, trains and buses," said Brian Wenig, vice president of mechanical systems and components at Honeywell Aerospace Group. ”
The Honeywell UV Treatment Kit includes a handheld lamp approximately 12 inches (approximately 30 cm) long to emit UVC light. The system weighs approximately 15 pounds (approximately 6.8 kg) and is suitable for a wide range of spaces that can accommodate people, including vehicles, buildings, and other shared spaces. The backpack part of this product slides on the ground like a small suitcase, and has a built-in battery2. It can go from no battery to full power in 5 hours. The portable option in the new product also includes a UVC lamp that costs only 10 cents (about 6 cents) per use.
Honeywell UV treatment packages can irradiate target surfaces at different heights and speeds depending on the operating environment and needs. Under ideal dose and speed conditions, the handheld UV lamp can cover an object surface area of about 1 square meter in 17 seconds, and the working distance is about 3.5 meters per minute. The equipment can process the high-frequency contact surfaces in the cabin, cockpit and toilet of medium-sized business jets within 15 minutes, and the interior surface treatment of ordinary taxis can be completed within 5 minutes.
Unlike chemical cleaning solutions, UV light does not leave chemical residues on surfaces and eliminates the need for storage and frequent chemical refills. Studies have found that the correct use of UV light can reduce or inactivate a wide range of viruses and bacteria, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus, the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes new coronavirus, and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus. The actual UV treatment effect of the product depends on the UV dose and usage method, and has not been specifically tested for the new coronavirus virus.
Honeywell is currently accepting orders for UV treatment packages, with the first products to ship in April of this year. The previously released aircraft cabin UV treatment system by Honeywell is now used by several airlines and ground handling companies, including JetBlue, Qatar Airways and Teaz Brazil.