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Rotomolded fuel tank meets upcoming emissions standards

Custom rotational molder Centro Inc. (North Liberty, IA) received a Certificate of Conformity from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its low evaporative fuel tank, called RotoLoPerm. Centro rotomolds the multi-layer tanks using cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) for the inner and outer layers, and a barrier material for the middle layer. Sal Hazboun, director of business development and marketing at the processor, told MPW that Centro would not reveal the barrier material used.

Matt Defosse

July 31, 2009

1 Min Read
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that Centro would not reveal the barrier material used. RotoLoPerm can utilize existing tooling, says Centro, and is available in natural or pigmented PEX. Using CE10 fuel, the measured permeation rate of RotoLoPerm tanks is lower than EPA’s allowable limit of 2.5g/m2/day when tested at 28°C. 

RotoLoPerm is patent pending. Centro has been working on low gas emission fuel tanks for years. This technology was developed to address evaporative emissions requirements by both the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the EPA. In addition to the Certificate of Conformity issued by the EPA, Centro also has Executive Orders from CARB for its RotoLoPerm and its “Liquid Nylon’” polyamide 6 tanks. Find details of this latter technology, as well as a first mention of the RotoLoPerm name, here.

New EPA regulations for off-road and marine equipment to reduce the amount of allowable emissions will begin affecting evaporative systems for Class I engines and marine personal watercraft in 2011, and evaporative systems for Class II & Marine other vessels in 2012 with an Early Conformance program option. The EPA Certificate of Conformity allows Centro’s customers to use RotoLoPerm fuel tanks prior to the effective regulation dates of 2011 and 2012 and participate in EPA’s Early Conformance program, which can earn OEMs tank-for-tank credits and help the OEM to control the timing of low permeation fuel tank conversions, rather than be hit with all of the conversions on the same date. Upon implementation of the EPA regulations, RotoLoPerm will be assigned a Family Emission Limit (FEL) below the applicable standard of 2.5g/m2/day. At that time, OEM’s can participate in the Averaging Banking and Trading (ABT) program and bank permeation credits. [email protected]

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