| New and stricter fuel-permeation regulations are pushing processors to consider a range of barrier technologies for portable fuel containers and small-engine fuel tanks. Monolayer HDPE containers and tanks won’t meet new fuel vapor emissions standards from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which are becoming the recognized standards for the whole country.
For portable fuel containers, CARB’s new regulations limit vapor emissions to 0.4 g/gal/day, effective June 2007. That’s a 33% reduction from the current limit of 0.6 g/gal/day. By 2009, the law will be toughened even further, with emissions limited to 0.3 g/gal/day.
Small off-road engine (SORE) fuel tanks for weed trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, tractors, and generators previously had no fuel-emission requirements. In January 2007, the limit mandated by CARB will be 2.5 g/m2/day for engines with displacements less than 225 cc. CARB will recall and fine RV companies who aren’t using compliant 2007 SORE fuel systems for 225 cc and less engines, starting January 1, 2007. A compliant system must have a CARB SORE EO, which RV companies can look up on the CARB website. In January 2008, the same limits will affect engines with displacements greater than 225 cc. By January 2012, the fuel permeation limit will be tightened even further to 1.5 g/m2/day.
Contact Transfer Flow about manufacturing S.O.R.E. compliant generator fuel systems for your company’s RVs. Call us today at 1-800-442-0056, ext. 11, or email bwinter@transferflow.com with any questions you may have. | | |
