Rotomolded fuel tank meets upcoming emissions standards 16240

(North Liberty, IA) received a Certificate of Conformity (COC) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its low-evaporative fuel tank, called RotoLoPerm. Centro rotomolds the multilayer tanks using crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) for the inner and outer layers, and an undisclosed barrier material for the middle layer. The patent-pending 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 the EPA’s allowable limit of 2.5 g/m²/day when tested at 28°C.

This technology was developed to address evaporative emissions requirements by both the EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB). In addition to the COC, Centro has Executive Orders from CARB for its RotoLoPerm and its Liquid Nylon PA6 tanks.

New EPA regulations for off-road and marine equipment to reduce the 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 (EC) program option. The COC allows use of RotoLoPerm fuel tanks prior to the effective regulation dates and participation in the EC program, which can earn OEMs tank-for-tank credits and help control the timing of low-permeation fuel tank conversions, rather than be hit with all of the conversions on the same date. —Matt Defosse