Retrofit/Rebuild Requirements for 1993 and Earlier Model Year Urban Buses; Approval of an Application for Certification of Equipment |
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Richard D. Wilson
Federal Register
March 20, 1998
[Federal Register: March 20, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 54)]
[Notices]
[Page 13660-13662]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20mr98-102]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5984-3]
Retrofit/Rebuild Requirements for 1993 and Earlier Model Year
Urban Buses; Approval of an Application for Certification of Equipment
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice of agency approval of an application for equipment
certification.
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SUMMARY: The Agency received a notification of intent to certify urban
bus retrofit/rebuild equipment for 4-stroke petroleum fueled diesel
engines pursuant to 40 CFR part 85, subpart O from Engelhard
Corporation (Engelhard). Pursuant to Sec. 85.1407(a)(7), a June 16,
1997 Federal Register notice summarized the notification and announced
that the notification would be available for public review and comment,
and initiated a 45-day period during which comments could be submitted.
In the notice the Agency stated it would review this notification of
intent to certify, as well as comments received, to determine whether
the equipment should be certified. EPA has completed its review of this
application and the Director of the Engine Program & Compliance
Division (EPCD) has determined that it meets the requirements for
certification. Accordingly, EPA certifies this equipment effective
March 20, 1998.
The Agency received an application dated October 18, 1996 from
Engelhard with principal place of business at 101 Wood Ave, South
Iselin, New Jersey 08830-0770 for certification of urban bus retrofit/
rebuild equipment pursuant to 40 CFR Sections 85.1401-85.1415. On June
16, 1997 EPA published notification that the application had been
received and made the application available for public review and
comment for a period of 45 days (62 FR 32599). Testing documentation
presented to the Agency demonstrates a reduction in particulate matter
(PM) of at least 25% for 1992-1993 Cummins electronically controlled L-
10 petroleum fueled diesel engines that were not originally equipped
with an aftertreatment device. The equipment meets the life-cycle cost
requirements of the urban bus retrofit/rebuild program for
certification. As such, it triggers the requirements for operators
choosing to comply with compliance program 1 for the applicable
engines. It may also be used by operators utilizing program 2 to
achieve target fleet emission levels.
DATES: The date of this notice March 20, 1998, is the effective date of
certification for the equipment.
ADDRESSES: The application, as well as other materials specifically
relevant to it, are contained in Public Docket A-93-42 (Category XVII-
A), entitled ``Certification of Urban Bus Retrofit/Rebuild Equipment''.
This docket is located in room M-1500, Waterside Mall (Ground Floor),
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC
20460.
Docket items may be inspected from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday. As provided in 40 CFR Part 2, a reasonable fee
may be charged by the Agency for copying docket materials.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Erb, Engine Compliance
Programs Group, Engine Programs & Compliance Division (6403J), U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20460.
Telephone: (202) 564-9259.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
On October 18, 1996 Engelhard applied for certification of a kit,
for use on 4-cycle petroleum fueled diesel Cummins L-10 urban bus
engines that were originally manufactured prior to and including the
1993 model year. The notification of intent to certify stated that the
candidate equipment would reduce PM emissions by 25% or more on engines
that have been rebuilt to Cummins specifications. The test engine
[[Page 13661]]
was a 1992 280 HP Cummins L-10 EC engine model. Two tests were
performed, one test was performed on the engine without the CMX and a
second test was performed on the same engine after retrofit with the
CMX. The test data show a PM level of 0.105 g/bhp-hr for the base
engine without the CMX, and a PM level of 0.073 g/bhp-hr with the
candidate equipment installed. This represents a PM reduction of 30%
with the candidate equipment installed. The test data also show that
hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and oxides of nitrogen
(NOX ) are less than applicable standards. Fuel consumption
is not affected when the candidate equipment is installed based on
comparison of the test results. Engelhard presented smoke emission
measurements for the engine demonstrating compliance with applicable
standards.
Pricing information was submitted indicating that the equipment
will be offered to all affected operators for less than the incremental
life-cycle cost ceiling ($2,000 in 1992 dollars). Therefore,
certification of this equipment triggers the 25% reduction standard for
the applicable engines.
The equipment being certified is a ``catalytic Converter Muffler''
or CMXTM, that is a muffler containing an oxidation
catalyst. The CMX is intended to replace the standard muffler
previously installed in the engine exhaust system. The CMX is intended
to be maintenance free, requiring no service for the full in-use
compliance period. The engine fuel to be used with this equipment is
diesel fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 0.05 wt.% sulfur.
Engelhard had requested approval for all Cummins L-10 engines
manufactured prior to and including 1993 based on exhaust emission data
from testing a 1992 280 HP Cummins L-10 EC (electronic control) engine.
In the notice of June 16, 1997 EPA noted that this certification would
only be applicable to the 1992-1993 L-10 EC model, based on the testing
performed on a 1992 model year engine. Engelhard indicated that it
planned to supply additional testing data on another engine in order to
extend this certification to additional models. EPA indicated that it
would consider such information and provide the opportunity for public
comment upon receipt. However, sufficient additional information has
not been received from Engelhard to alter the applicability of this
application. In view of the delay being caused while the additional
information is gathered, Engelhard requested that EPA proceed with this
action with the applicability of this certification being limited to
the 1992-1993 Cummins L-10 EC model at this time. Table A. below
provides the emission levels that apply to this certification.
Table A.--Engelhard Retrofit/Rebuild Certification Levels for Cummins
Engines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PM
certification
Cummins engine model Model year level with
CMX (g/bhp-
hr)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
L-10 EC..................................... 1992-1993 0.19
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under program 1, all rebuilds or replacements of applicable engines
performed 6 months following the effective date of this certification
must use this certified Engelhard equipment (or other equipment
certified to reduce PM by at least 25 percent). This requirement will
continue for such engines until such time as it is superseded by
equipment that is certified to trigger the 0.10 g/bhp-hr emission
standard for less than a life-cycle cost of $7,940 (in 1992 dollars).
Engelhard has certified this equipment to a post-rebuild PM
certification level of 0.19 g/bhp-hr. Urban bus operators who choose to
comply with program 2 and use this equipment will use this PM emission
value from Table A. when calculating their average fleet PM level.
II. Summary and Analysis of Comments
EPA received comments from two parties on the Engelhard application
during the comment period. The Chicago Transit Authority commented
that, while it had no specific comments relative to the Engelhard
application, durability testing should be performed with all catalytic
converters and expressed a concern over increased backpressure and
possible negative effects as the catalytic converter accumulates
mileage in service. Engine Control Systems, Ltd.(ECS) commented that
this application should only apply to the 1992-1993 L-10 EC model. ECS
also asked if the muffler system for which certification is requested
by Engelhard will include a removable catalyst section or be fully
sealed.
In regard to concerns expressed relative to the need for durability
testing, the retrofit/rebuild regulation does not require durability
testing. However, while the regulation does not require durability
testing, it does require that the certifier supply a defect warranty
over the initial 100,000 mile period of use of a certified system.
Accordingly, the certifier is required to replace any defective part
that is included in the certified kit during the 100,000 mile warranty
period. With regard to the issue of backpressure increase and concern
over negative effects on the engine, no specific information was
provided by the CTA relative to the certification being discussed
herein. Therefore, EPA does not find reason to deny this certification
based on these concerns. However, should operators experience
backpressure increase during use and negative engine effects, such
information should be provided to EPA so that this issue may be
reviewed in greater detail.
ECS commented that this application should only apply to the 1992-
1993 L-10 EC model. EPA has determined that it is appropriate to limit
this certification to apply to the 1992-1993 Cummins L-10 EC model
based on the test data provided. In the future, Engelhard may supply
additional information to extend the applicability of this
certification to other models. If this occurs, EPA will provide the
opportunity for public comment. ECS also asked if the muffler system
for which certification is requested by Engelhard will include a
removable catalyst section or be fully sealed. In a letter dated
September 29, 1997, Engelhard states that each muffler is specifically
designed to fit a specific bus, engine and exhaust configuration. These
designs may or may not include a removable center body. However, if at
all possible it is Engelhard's practice to utilize the removable center
body technology in its muffler designs.
III. Certification Approval
The Agency has reviewed this application, along with comments
received from interested parties, and finds that this equipment reduces
particulate matter emissions without causing urban bus engines to fail
to meet other applicable Federal emission requirements. Additionally,
EPA finds that installation of this equipment will not cause or
contribute to an unreasonable risk to the public health, welfare or
safety, or result in any additional range of parameter adjustability or
accessibility to adjustment than that of the engine manufacturer's
emission related part. The application meets the requirements for
certification under the Retrofit/Rebuild Requirements for 1993 and
Earlier Model Year Urban Buses (40 CFR 85.1401 and 85.1415).
[[Page 13662]]
IV. Operator Requirements and Responsibilities
This equipment may be used immediately by urban bus operators who
have chosen to comply with either program 1 or program 2. Operators
having certain engines who have chosen to comply with program 1 must
use equipment certified within cost limitations to reduce PM emissions
by 25 percent or more when those engines are rebuilt or replaced.
Today's Federal Register notice certifies the above-described Engelhard
equipment as meeting the PM reduction and cost limitation requirement.
Urban bus operators choosing to comply with program 1 must use the
certified Engelhard equipment (or other equipment that is certified in
the meantime to reduce PM by at least 25%) for any engine that is
listed in Table A that undergo rebuild on or after September 21, 1998,
until such time as the 0.10 g/bhp-hr standard is triggered for the
applicable engines.
Operators who choose to comply with program 2 and use the Engelhard
equipment will use the appropriate PM emission level from Table A. when
calculating their fleet level attained (FLA).
As stated in the regulations, operators should maintain records for
each engine in their fleet to demonstrate that they are in compliance
with the requirements, beginning January 1, 1995. These records include
purchase records, receipts, and part numbers for the parts and
components used in the rebuilding of urban bus engines.
Dated: March 12, 1998.
Richard D. Wilson,
Acting Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation.
[FR Doc. 98-7308 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P