Notice of Petition for Waiver From Superior Boiler Works, Inc. From the Department of Energy Commercial Packaged Boiler Test Procedure, 22249-22252 [2016-08738]
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices
Noe at least seven days in advance of
the meeting at the phone number listed
above. Written statements may be filed
with the Board either before or after the
meeting. Individuals who wish to make
oral statements pertaining to the agenda
item should contact Melyssa P. Noe at
the address or telephone number listed
above. Requests must be received five
days prior to the meeting and reasonable
provision will be made to include the
presentation in the agenda. The Deputy
Designated Federal Officer is
empowered to conduct the meeting in a
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conduct of business. Individuals
wishing to make public comments will
be provided a maximum of five minutes
to present their comments.
Minutes: Minutes will be available by
writing or calling Melyssa P. Noe at the
address and phone number listed above.
Minutes will also be available at the
following Web site: https://energy.gov/
orem/services/community-engagement/
oak-ridge-site-specific-advisory-board.
Issued at Washington, DC, on April 11,
2016.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
assessment and management; and cleanup science and technology activities.
Additionally, the renewal of the
Board has been determined to be
essential to conduct DOE’s business and
to be in the public interest in
connection with the performance of
duties imposed on the DOE by law and
agreement. The Board will operate in
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implementation of that Act.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
David Borak, Designated Federal
Officer, at (202) 586–9928 or
david.borak@em.doe.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 11,
2016.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Acting Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–08755 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Portsmouth
Department of Energy (DOE)
Notice of open meeting.
AGENCY:
[FR Doc. 2016–08759 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]
ACTION:
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
This notice announces a
meeting of the Environmental
Management Site-Specific Advisory
Board (EM SSAB), Portsmouth. The
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that
public notice of this meeting be
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DATES: Thursday, May 5, 2016 6:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: Ohio State University,
Endeavor Center, 1862 Shyville Road,
Piketon, Ohio 45661.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg
Simonton, Alternate Deputy Designated
Federal Officer, Department of Energy
Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office, Post
Office Box 700, Piketon, Ohio 45661,
(740) 897–3737, Greg.Simonton@
lex.doe.gov.
SUMMARY:
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board
Office of Environmental
Management, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of renewal.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to Section
14(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463), and in
accordance with Title 41 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, section 102–
3.65(a), and following consultation with
the Committee Management Secretariat,
General Services Administration, notice
is hereby given that the Environmental
Management Site-Specific Advisory
Board (EM SSAB or Board) will be
renewed for a two-year period beginning
April 11, 2016.
The Board provides the Assistant
Secretary for Environmental
Management (EM) with information,
advice, and recommendations
concerning issues affecting the EM
program at various sites. These sitespecific issues include clean-up
standards and environmental
restoration; waste management and
disposition; stabilization and
disposition of non-stockpile nuclear
materials; excess facilities; future land
use and long-term stewardship; risk
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Purpose of the Board: The purpose of
the Board is to make recommendations
to DOE–EM and site management in the
areas of environmental restoration,
waste management and related
activities.
Tentative Agenda
• Call to Order, Introductions, Review
of Agenda
• Approval of March Minutes
• Deputy Designated Federal Officer’s
Comments
• Federal Coordinator’s Comments
• Liaison’s Comments
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
EM SSAB Chairs Meeting Recap
Presentation
Administrative Issues
Subcommittee Updates
Public Comments
Final Comments from the Board
Adjourn
Public Participation: The meeting is
open to the public. The EM SSAB,
Portsmouth, welcomes the attendance of
the public at its advisory committee
meetings and will make every effort to
accommodate persons with physical
disabilities or special needs. If you
require special accommodations due to
a disability, please contact Greg
Simonton at least seven days in advance
of the meeting at the phone number
listed above. Written statements may be
filed with the Board either before or
after the meeting. Individuals who wish
to make oral statements pertaining to
agenda items should contact Greg
Simonton at the address or telephone
number listed above. Requests must be
received five days prior to the meeting
and reasonable provision will be made
to include the presentation in the
agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal
Officer is empowered to conduct the
meeting in a fashion that will facilitate
the orderly conduct of business.
Individuals wishing to make public
comments will be provided a maximum
of five minutes to present their
comments.
Minutes: Minutes will be available by
writing or calling Greg Simonton at the
address and phone number listed above.
Minutes will also be available at the
following Web site: https://www.portsssab.energy.gov/.
Issued at Washington, DC, on April 11,
2016.
LaTanya R. Butler,
Deputy Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2016–08757 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. BLR–004]
Notice of Petition for Waiver From
Superior Boiler Works, Inc. From the
Department of Energy Commercial
Packaged Boiler Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and
request for public comments.
AGENCY:
This notice announces receipt
of a petition for waiver from Superior
SUMMARY:
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 73 / Friday, April 15, 2016 / Notices
Boiler Works, Inc. (Superior) seeking an
exemption from specified portions of
the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
test procedure applicable to commercial
packaged boilers. Superior contends
that some of their commercial packaged
boilers cannot be accurately tested using
the currently applicable DOE test
procedure and, as a result, seeks to use
an alternate test procedure to test these
basic models. DOE solicits comments,
data, and information concerning
Superior’s petition and the suggested
alternate test procedure.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data,
and information with respect to the
Superior petition until May 16, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by case number ‘‘BLR–004,’’
by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@
ee.doe.gov. Include the case number
[Case No. BLR–004] in the subject line
of the message.
• Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S.
Department of Energy, Building
Technologies Program, Mailstop EE–2B,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–2945. Please
submit one signed original paper copy.
• Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda
Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, 950
L’Enfant Plaza SW., Suite 600,
Washington, DC 20024. Please submit
one signed original paper copy.
Docket: For access to the docket to
review the background documents
relevant to this matter, you may visit
https://www.regulations.gov. Available
documents include the following items:
(1) This notice; (2) public comments
received; and (3) the petition for waiver.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department of
Energy, Building Technologies Program,
Mail Stop EE–2B, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0121.
Telephone: (202) 586–0371. Email:
Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Peter Cochran, U.S. Department of
Energy, Office of the General Counsel,
Mail Stop GC–33, Forrestal Building,
1000 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20585–0103.
Telephone: (202) 586–9496. Email:
Peter.Cochran@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a
petition received July 21, 2015, Superior
requested that the U.S. Department of
Energy (‘‘DOE’’) grant a waiver to
certain models of larger commercial
package boilers that cannot be tested
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under the existing DOE test procedure.
The models of commercial packaged
boilers at issue are models with higher
input capacities that typically require
higher steam pressure and alternative
instrumentation due to the large
quantities of fluids being measured.
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part C of the Energy Policy
and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA),
as amended (42 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.),
established the Energy Conservation
Program for certain industrial
equipment, which includes commercial
packaged boilers.1 Part C specifically
includes definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311),
energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C
6313), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314),
labeling provisions (42 U.S.C. 6315),
and the authority to require information
and reports from manufacturers (42
U.S.C. 6316). Part C authorizes the
Secretary of Energy (the Secretary) to
prescribe test procedures that are
reasonably designed to produce results
that measure energy efficiency, energy
use, and estimated annual operating
costs, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C.
6314(a)(2)) With respect to commercial
packaged boilers, Part C requires DOE to
use industry test procedures developed
or recognized by the Air-Conditioning,
Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
(AHRI) or the American Society of
Heating, Refrigerating, and AirConditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), as
referenced in ASHRAE/IES 2 Standard
90.1, ‘‘Energy Standard for Buildings
Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.’’
(42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) Further, if such
an industry test procedure is amended,
DOE is required to amend its test
procedure to be consistent with the
amended industry test procedure,
unless it determines, by rule published
in the Federal Register and supported
by clear and convincing evidence, that
the amended test procedure would be
unduly burdensome to conduct or
would not produce test results that
reflect the energy efficiency, energy use,
and estimated operating costs of that
equipment during a representative
average use cycle. (42 U.S.C.
6314(a)(4)(B)). The test procedure for
commercial packaged boilers is
contained in 10 CFR part 431, subpart
E.
DOE’s regulations permit a person to
seek a waiver from the test procedure
requirements for covered commercial
equipment if at least one of the
following conditions is met: (1) The
1 For editorial reasons, upon codification in the
U.S. Code, Part C was re-designated Part A–1.
2 Illuminating Engineering Society.
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petitioner’s basic model contains one or
more design characteristics that prevent
testing according to the prescribed test
procedures; or (2) the prescribed test
procedures may evaluate the basic
model in a manner so unrepresentative
of its true energy consumption as to
provide materially inaccurate
comparative data. 10 CFR 431.401(a)(1).
Petitioners must include in their
petition any alternate test procedures
known to the petitioner to evaluate the
basic model in a manner representative
of its energy consumption. 10 CFR
431.401(b)(1)(iii).
DOE may grant a waiver subject to
conditions, including adherence to
alternate test procedures. 10 CFR
431.401(f)(2). As soon as practicable
after the granting of any waiver, DOE
will publish in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking to amend
its regulations so as to eliminate any
need for the continuation of such
waiver. As soon thereafter as
practicable, DOE will publish in the
Federal Register a final rule. 10 CFR
431.401(l).
II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure
On July 21, 2015, Superior submitted
a petition for waiver from the DOE test
procedure for certain basic models of its
commercial packaged boilers. The DOE
test procedure for commercial packaged
boilers is set forth at 10 CFR 431.86 and
incorporates by reference Hydronics
Institute (HI) BTS–2000, ‘‘Method to
Determine Efficiency of Commercial
Space Heating Boilers’’ (BTS–2000).
According to Superior, there are
several issues that make BTS–2000
incompatible with larger commercial
packaged boilers, including those
identified in its petition for waiver.
Superior stated that the requirements to
use test conditions specified in BTS–
2000 and the instrumentation
requirements are outdated. Specifically,
Superior indicated the following
regarding the test conditions:
• The 0 to 2 psig test pressure for
steam boilers may be adequate for
residential and small commercial (cast
iron) boilers sized [commercial
packaged] boilers, however such steam
pressures are not compatible with large
[commercial packaged] boilers as it will
cause water carryover in large
quantities, and an inability to meet
design water flow rates and firing rates;
• Typically test steam pressures in
the range of 10 to 12 psig are required;
and
• Test temperatures defined for hot
water [commercial packaged] boilers
cause thermal shock problems in large
[commercial packaged] boilers.
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Superior also indicated the following
regarding the instrumentation chart in
Table 1 of section 6.0, ‘‘Instruments,’’ of
BTS–2000:
• Steam pressure cannot be measured
by mercury manometer as the use of
mercury in instruments and controls is
banned; the correct instrument is a
Bourdon Tube Gauge for pressures of 0
to 30 psig;
• Large boilers typically fire into a
positive pressure combustion chamber,
thus gas pressure, firebox pressure and
vent/flue pressure instruments all need
to reflect this;
• The use of scales to measure water/
condensate/moisture flow rates is
incompatible with the volume of these
fluids being used or generated by large
[commercial packaged] boilers;
• Water flow meters should be used
and in the case of moisture content,
current practice is to use a throttling
calorimeter;
• The measurement of carbon dioxide
as a means of calculating excess air or
oxygen is considered obsolete in the
large [commercial packaged] boiler
industry; direct measurement of excess
oxygen is the preferred method as
modern oxygen meters can easily be
calibrated against the oxygen in the
ambient air;
• Carbon Monoxide levels are no
longer measured as a percentage; the
current preferred unit is parts per
million (ppm).
To address these concerns, Superior
proposes to use the newly published
American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)/Air-Conditioning, Heating, and
Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) 1500–
2015, ‘‘Standard for Performance Rating
of Commercial Space Heating Boilers’’
(ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500–2015) in
place of BTS–2000. AHRI developed
ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500–2015 as a
replacement for BTS–2000 in order to
make the test procedure suitable for use
with larger commercial packaged
boilers, as well as improve and clarify
the test method. Superior claims that
use of this ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500–
2015 is necessary as it is compatible
with the size of commercial packaged
boilers they manufacture.
Additionally, for the large commercial
packaged boilers capable of supplying
either steam or hot water identified in
this petition, Superior requests that,
when determining the combustion
efficiency in hot water mode based on
testing in steam mode only, the
combustion efficiency rating be
determined based on an adjusted
combustion efficiency. Superior
requests that an adjustment be made to
the measured stack temperature to be
used in calculating combustion
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efficiency based on the relative
difference between the flue gas
temperature and the bulk fluid
temperature when operating in steam
mode as opposed to hot water using the
following relationship:
Tstack, hw = (Tstack, steam ¥ Tsat) + Tbulk, hw
where Tstack, hw is the stack temperature to be
used to determine the combustion efficiency
in hot water mode, Tstack, steam is the measured
stack temperature when testing on steam, Tsat
is the saturation temperature of steam at the
test pressure, and Tbulk is the temperature of
the outlet water when testing in hot water
mode and is equal to 180 °F. According to
Superior, using this adjusted stack
temperature to calculate combustion
efficiency is a more accurate representation
of the actual efficiency when operating as a
hot water commercial packaged boiler than
simply using combustion efficiency value for
steam mode.
The following basic models are
included in Superior’s petition:
Arrowhead, Triad, Apache, Seminole,
Super Seminole, Mohican, Aztec,
Mohawk, Osage, SX–6, and SX–8.
DOE notes that it has published a
notice of proposed rulemaking (March
2016 CPB TP NOPR) to amend its test
procedure for commercial packaged
boilers prescribed in 10 CFR part 431
subpart E. 81 FR 14641 (Mar. 17, 2016).
The proposed amended test procedure
addresses, among other changes, the
issues raised in this waiver request by
incorporating by reference ANSI/AHRI
Standard 1500–2015 as a replacement
for BTS–2000 in the DOE test procedure
for commercial packaged boilers. In
addition to adopting ANSI/AHRI
Standard 1500–2015 as a replacement
for BTS–2000, DOE further proposes
several modifications to its test
procedure that are not captured in
ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500–2015 in
order to improve repeatability, add
clarification, and accommodate testing
of some equipment that has experienced
difficulty in testing to the existing DOE
test procedure. Among these changes,
DOE proposes to adopt the stack
temperature adjustment described by
Superior when using the tested
combustion efficiency of large steam
commercial packaged boilers to
represent the combustion efficiency of
large commercial packaged boilers in
hot water mode.
III. Summary and Request for
Comments
Through this notice, DOE is
publishing Superior’s petition for
waiver pursuant to 10 CFR
431.401(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains
no confidential information. The
petition includes a suggested alternate
test procedure applicable to
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22251
measurement of energy efficiency of
certain models of commercial packaged
boilers manufactured by Superior.
DOE solicits comments from
interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested
alternate test procedure. Pursuant to 10
CFR 431.401(d), any person submitting
written comments to DOE must also
send a copy of such comments to the
petitioner. The contact information for
the petitioner is: Mokhtar Matallah, Vice
President, Engineering, Superior Boiler
Works, Inc., 3524 E. 4th St., Hutchinson,
KS 67504. All submissions received
must include the agency name and case
number for this proceeding. Submit
electronic comments in WordPerfect,
Microsoft Word, Portable Document
Format (PDF), or text (American
Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII)) file format and
avoid the use of special characters or
any form of encryption. Wherever
possible, include the electronic
signature of the author. DOE does not
accept telefacsimiles (faxes).
According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any
person submitting information that he
or she believes to be confidential and
exempt by law from public disclosure
should submit two copies: one copy of
the document including all the
information believed to be confidential,
and one copy of the document with the
information believed to be confidential
deleted. DOE will make its own
determination about the confidential
status of the information and treat it
according to its determination.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 7,
2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy
Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Energy.
Superior Boiler Works, Inc.
3524 E. 4th St.
Hutchinson, KS 67504
(620) 662–6693
July 21, 2015
U.S. Department of Energy
Attention: Ms. Ashley Armstrong
Subject: Revised Commercial Packaged
Boilers Waiver Request
Dear Ms. Armstrong,
We previously submitted a waiver
request on June 30, 2015 but wish to
submit this revised waiver request in
place of it. In accordance with the
provisions of the Code of Federal
Regulations Part 431, paragraph
431.401, Superior Boiler Works, Inc. is
hereby petitioning for a waiver from the
following specific test procedures
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specified for Commercial Packaged
Boilers:
1. Paragraph 431.86 Uniform test
method for the measurement of energy
efficiency of commercial packaged
boilers. This section requirements that
boilers be tested using the provisions of
HI BTS–2000. We propose to use the
newly published AHRI Standard 1500,
2015 Standard for Performance Rating of
Commercial Space Heating Boilers.
There are several issues that make BTS
2000 incompatible with larger boilers
that were previously identified and
discussed. AHRI has worked diligently
over the last year or so to revise BTS–
2000 in order to address those issues
and make BTS 2000 suitable for larger
boilers. AHRI Standard 1500 is the
result of that work. Use of this new
standard is desirable as it is compatible
with the various size boilers we
manufacture.
2. Paragraph 431.86(c)(1)(iv) The
requirement to use test conditions
specified in BTS–2000 specifically the
requirements for the test pressure for
steam boilers, the required water
temperatures for hot water boilers and
instrumentation requirements seem to
refer back to the middle of the last
century rather than the present day, for
example:
• The 0 to 2 psig test pressure for
steam boilers may be perfectly adequate
for residential and small commercial
(cast iron) boilers sized boilers, however
is not compatible with large boilers as
it will cause water carryover in large
quantities, and an inability to meet
design water flow rates and firing rates.
Typically test pressures in range 10 to
12 psig are required.
• Test temperatures defined for hot
water boilers are guaranteed to cause
thermal shock problems in large boilers.
• The instrumentation chart, Table 1,
has several problem areas, as follows:
Æ Steam pressure cannot be measured
by mercury manometer as the use of
mercury in instruments and controls is
banned. The correct instrument is a
Bourdon Tube Gauge 0 to 30 psig
Æ Large boilers typically fire into a
positive pressure combustion chamber,
thus gas pressure, firebox pressure and
vent/flue pressure instruments all need
to reflect this.
Æ The use of scales to measure water/
condensate/moisture flow rates is
incompatible with the sheer volume of
these fluids being used or generated by
large boilers. Water flow meters should
be used and in the case of moisture
content, current practice is to use a
throttling calorimeter.
Æ The measurement of carbon dioxide
as a means of calculating excess air or
oxygen is considered obsolete in the
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large boiler industry. Direct
measurement of excess oxygen is the
preferred method as modern oxygen
meters can easily be calibrated against
the oxygen in the ambient air.
Æ Carbon Monoxide levels are no
longer measured as a percentage. The
current preferred unit is ppm.
AHRI 1500 has taken into account these
changes.
3. Paragraph 431.86(c)(2)(iii)(B)
Rating. This paragraph specifies that for
boilers capable of supplying either
steam or hot water, that are tested on
steam only, the hot water efficiency
shall be based on the testing in the
steam mode. We propose to use an
adjusted steam efficiency for hot water
when testing on steam only. The
adjustment is made to the measured
stack temperature to be used in
calculating efficiency based on the
relative difference between the flue gas
temperature and the bulk fluid
temperature when operating on steam
vs. hot water using the following
relationship:
Tstackhw = (Tstacksteam ¥ Tsat) +
Tbulkhw, where
Tstackhw = stack temperature to be used
to determine the efficiency on hot
water.
Tstacksteam = measured stack
temperature when testing on steam.
Tbulkhw = 180 °F
The dominant heat transfer variable
for both steam and hot water boilers is
the gas side coefficient and there is very
little difference in the overall heat
transfer coefficient between steam and
hot water boilers. It is possible therefore
to determine what a hot water boiler
stack temperature will be based on a
steam test based on the difference in the
bulk fluid temperature in the boiler. We
believe that using this adjusted stack
temperature to calculate efficiency is a
more accurate representation of the
actual efficiency when operating as a
hot water boiler than simply using the
steam efficiency value.
The basic models that this request is
applicable to are scotch marine, firetube
boilers used for commercial packaged
space heating, Section IV ASME
applications. The specific models
offered by Superior Boiler Works in this
category for section IV ASME
applications includes the following:
1. Arrowhead
2. Triad
3. Apache
4. Seminole
5. Super Seminole
6. Mohican
7. Aztec
8. Mohawk
9. Osage
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10. SX–6
11. SX–8
Other know manufacturers of similar
products are listed below. These
manufacturers will be notified by
Superior Boiler Works, Inc. of this
waiver, if and when the deviation is
granted, in accordance with paragraph
431.401(c).
AESYS Technologies, LLC
Bryan Steam
Burnham Commercial
Cleaver-Brooks
Easco
Fulton Boiler Works
Hurst Boiler
Johnston Boiler Company
Lattner Boiler Company
Miura
Precision Boilers, LLC
Unilux
Vapor Power International, LLC
Victory Energy Operations, LLC
Williams & Davis Boilers
We appreciate your consideration of
this request. If you have any additional
questions please don’t hesitate to
contact me.
Sincerely,
Mokhtar Matallah
Vice President, Engineering
Cc: Mr. Doug Wright, President & CEO,
Superior Boiler Works, Inc.
[FR Doc. 2016–08738 Filed 4–14–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy
[Case No. BLR–007]
Notice of Petition for Waiver From
Cleaver-Brooks From the Department
of Energy Commercial Packaged Boiler
Test Procedure
Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and
request for public comments.
AGENCY:
This notice announces receipt
of a petition for waiver from CleaverBrooks seeking an exemption from
specified portions of the U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE) test
procedure applicable to commercial
packaged boilers. Cleaver-Brooks
contends that some of their commercial
packaged boilers cannot be accurately
tested using the currently applicable
DOE test procedure and, as a result,
seeks to use an alternate test procedure
to test these basic models. DOE solicits
comments, data, and information
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22249-22252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08738]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
[Case No. BLR-004]
Notice of Petition for Waiver From Superior Boiler Works, Inc.
From the Department of Energy Commercial Packaged Boiler Test Procedure
AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of petition for waiver and request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces receipt of a petition for waiver from
Superior
[[Page 22250]]
Boiler Works, Inc. (Superior) seeking an exemption from specified
portions of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) test procedure
applicable to commercial packaged boilers. Superior contends that some
of their commercial packaged boilers cannot be accurately tested using
the currently applicable DOE test procedure and, as a result, seeks to
use an alternate test procedure to test these basic models. DOE
solicits comments, data, and information concerning Superior's petition
and the suggested alternate test procedure.
DATES: DOE will accept comments, data, and information with respect to
the Superior petition until May 16, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by case number ``BLR-
004,'' by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Email: AS_Waiver_Requests@ee.doe.gov. Include the case
number [Case No. BLR-004] in the subject line of the message.
Mail: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department of Energy,
Building Technologies Program, Mailstop EE-2B, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121. Telephone: (202) 586-2945. Please
submit one signed original paper copy.
Hand Delivery/Courier: Ms. Brenda Edwards, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, 950 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Suite
600, Washington, DC 20024. Please submit one signed original paper
copy.
Docket: For access to the docket to review the background documents
relevant to this matter, you may visit https://www.regulations.gov.
Available documents include the following items: (1) This notice; (2)
public comments received; and (3) the petition for waiver.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Bryan Berringer, U.S. Department
of Energy, Building Technologies Program, Mail Stop EE-2B, Forrestal
Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585-0121.
Telephone: (202) 586-0371. Email: Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov.
Mr. Peter Cochran, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General
Counsel, Mail Stop GC-33, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue
SW., Washington, DC 20585-0103. Telephone: (202) 586-9496. Email:
Peter.Cochran@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition received July 21, 2015,
Superior requested that the U.S. Department of Energy (``DOE'') grant a
waiver to certain models of larger commercial package boilers that
cannot be tested under the existing DOE test procedure. The models of
commercial packaged boilers at issue are models with higher input
capacities that typically require higher steam pressure and alternative
instrumentation due to the large quantities of fluids being measured.
I. Background and Authority
Title III, Part C of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975
(EPCA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.), established the Energy
Conservation Program for certain industrial equipment, which includes
commercial packaged boilers.\1\ Part C specifically includes
definitions (42 U.S.C. 6311), energy conservation standards (42 U.S.C
6313), test procedures (42 U.S.C. 6314), labeling provisions (42 U.S.C.
6315), and the authority to require information and reports from
manufacturers (42 U.S.C. 6316). Part C authorizes the Secretary of
Energy (the Secretary) to prescribe test procedures that are reasonably
designed to produce results that measure energy efficiency, energy use,
and estimated annual operating costs, and that are not unduly
burdensome to conduct. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(2)) With respect to
commercial packaged boilers, Part C requires DOE to use industry test
procedures developed or recognized by the Air-Conditioning, Heating,
and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) or the American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), as referenced
in ASHRAE/IES \2\ Standard 90.1, ``Energy Standard for Buildings Except
Low-Rise Residential Buildings.'' (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(A)) Further, if
such an industry test procedure is amended, DOE is required to amend
its test procedure to be consistent with the amended industry test
procedure, unless it determines, by rule published in the Federal
Register and supported by clear and convincing evidence, that the
amended test procedure would be unduly burdensome to conduct or would
not produce test results that reflect the energy efficiency, energy
use, and estimated operating costs of that equipment during a
representative average use cycle. (42 U.S.C. 6314(a)(4)(B)). The test
procedure for commercial packaged boilers is contained in 10 CFR part
431, subpart E.
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\1\ For editorial reasons, upon codification in the U.S. Code,
Part C was re-designated Part A-1.
\2\ Illuminating Engineering Society.
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DOE's regulations permit a person to seek a waiver from the test
procedure requirements for covered commercial equipment if at least one
of the following conditions is met: (1) The petitioner's basic model
contains one or more design characteristics that prevent testing
according to the prescribed test procedures; or (2) the prescribed test
procedures may evaluate the basic model in a manner so unrepresentative
of its true energy consumption as to provide materially inaccurate
comparative data. 10 CFR 431.401(a)(1). Petitioners must include in
their petition any alternate test procedures known to the petitioner to
evaluate the basic model in a manner representative of its energy
consumption. 10 CFR 431.401(b)(1)(iii).
DOE may grant a waiver subject to conditions, including adherence
to alternate test procedures. 10 CFR 431.401(f)(2). As soon as
practicable after the granting of any waiver, DOE will publish in the
Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking to amend its
regulations so as to eliminate any need for the continuation of such
waiver. As soon thereafter as practicable, DOE will publish in the
Federal Register a final rule. 10 CFR 431.401(l).
II. Petition for Waiver of Test Procedure
On July 21, 2015, Superior submitted a petition for waiver from the
DOE test procedure for certain basic models of its commercial packaged
boilers. The DOE test procedure for commercial packaged boilers is set
forth at 10 CFR 431.86 and incorporates by reference Hydronics
Institute (HI) BTS-2000, ``Method to Determine Efficiency of Commercial
Space Heating Boilers'' (BTS-2000).
According to Superior, there are several issues that make BTS-2000
incompatible with larger commercial packaged boilers, including those
identified in its petition for waiver. Superior stated that the
requirements to use test conditions specified in BTS-2000 and the
instrumentation requirements are outdated. Specifically, Superior
indicated the following regarding the test conditions:
The 0 to 2 psig test pressure for steam boilers may be
adequate for residential and small commercial (cast iron) boilers sized
[commercial packaged] boilers, however such steam pressures are not
compatible with large [commercial packaged] boilers as it will cause
water carryover in large quantities, and an inability to meet design
water flow rates and firing rates;
Typically test steam pressures in the range of 10 to 12
psig are required; and
Test temperatures defined for hot water [commercial
packaged] boilers cause thermal shock problems in large [commercial
packaged] boilers.
[[Page 22251]]
Superior also indicated the following regarding the instrumentation
chart in Table 1 of section 6.0, ``Instruments,'' of BTS-2000:
Steam pressure cannot be measured by mercury manometer as
the use of mercury in instruments and controls is banned; the correct
instrument is a Bourdon Tube Gauge for pressures of 0 to 30 psig;
Large boilers typically fire into a positive pressure
combustion chamber, thus gas pressure, firebox pressure and vent/flue
pressure instruments all need to reflect this;
The use of scales to measure water/condensate/moisture
flow rates is incompatible with the volume of these fluids being used
or generated by large [commercial packaged] boilers;
Water flow meters should be used and in the case of
moisture content, current practice is to use a throttling calorimeter;
The measurement of carbon dioxide as a means of
calculating excess air or oxygen is considered obsolete in the large
[commercial packaged] boiler industry; direct measurement of excess
oxygen is the preferred method as modern oxygen meters can easily be
calibrated against the oxygen in the ambient air;
Carbon Monoxide levels are no longer measured as a
percentage; the current preferred unit is parts per million (ppm).
To address these concerns, Superior proposes to use the newly
published American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Air-
Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) 1500-2015,
``Standard for Performance Rating of Commercial Space Heating Boilers''
(ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500-2015) in place of BTS-2000. AHRI developed
ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500-2015 as a replacement for BTS-2000 in order to
make the test procedure suitable for use with larger commercial
packaged boilers, as well as improve and clarify the test method.
Superior claims that use of this ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500-2015 is
necessary as it is compatible with the size of commercial packaged
boilers they manufacture.
Additionally, for the large commercial packaged boilers capable of
supplying either steam or hot water identified in this petition,
Superior requests that, when determining the combustion efficiency in
hot water mode based on testing in steam mode only, the combustion
efficiency rating be determined based on an adjusted combustion
efficiency. Superior requests that an adjustment be made to the
measured stack temperature to be used in calculating combustion
efficiency based on the relative difference between the flue gas
temperature and the bulk fluid temperature when operating in steam mode
as opposed to hot water using the following relationship:
Tstack, hw = (Tstack, steam - Tsat) +
Tbulk, hw
where Tstack, hw is the stack temperature to be used to
determine the combustion efficiency in hot water mode,
Tstack, steam is the measured stack temperature when
testing on steam, Tsat is the saturation temperature of
steam at the test pressure, and Tbulk is the temperature
of the outlet water when testing in hot water mode and is equal to
180 [deg]F. According to Superior, using this adjusted stack
temperature to calculate combustion efficiency is a more accurate
representation of the actual efficiency when operating as a hot
water commercial packaged boiler than simply using combustion
efficiency value for steam mode.
The following basic models are included in Superior's petition:
Arrowhead, Triad, Apache, Seminole, Super Seminole, Mohican, Aztec,
Mohawk, Osage, SX-6, and SX-8.
DOE notes that it has published a notice of proposed rulemaking
(March 2016 CPB TP NOPR) to amend its test procedure for commercial
packaged boilers prescribed in 10 CFR part 431 subpart E. 81 FR 14641
(Mar. 17, 2016). The proposed amended test procedure addresses, among
other changes, the issues raised in this waiver request by
incorporating by reference ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500-2015 as a
replacement for BTS-2000 in the DOE test procedure for commercial
packaged boilers. In addition to adopting ANSI/AHRI Standard 1500-2015
as a replacement for BTS-2000, DOE further proposes several
modifications to its test procedure that are not captured in ANSI/AHRI
Standard 1500-2015 in order to improve repeatability, add
clarification, and accommodate testing of some equipment that has
experienced difficulty in testing to the existing DOE test procedure.
Among these changes, DOE proposes to adopt the stack temperature
adjustment described by Superior when using the tested combustion
efficiency of large steam commercial packaged boilers to represent the
combustion efficiency of large commercial packaged boilers in hot water
mode.
III. Summary and Request for Comments
Through this notice, DOE is publishing Superior's petition for
waiver pursuant to 10 CFR 431.401(b)(1)(iv). The petition contains no
confidential information. The petition includes a suggested alternate
test procedure applicable to measurement of energy efficiency of
certain models of commercial packaged boilers manufactured by Superior.
DOE solicits comments from interested parties on all aspects of the
petition, including the suggested alternate test procedure. Pursuant to
10 CFR 431.401(d), any person submitting written comments to DOE must
also send a copy of such comments to the petitioner. The contact
information for the petitioner is: Mokhtar Matallah, Vice President,
Engineering, Superior Boiler Works, Inc., 3524 E. 4th St., Hutchinson,
KS 67504. All submissions received must include the agency name and
case number for this proceeding. Submit electronic comments in
WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, Portable Document Format (PDF), or text
(American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII)) file
format and avoid the use of special characters or any form of
encryption. Wherever possible, include the electronic signature of the
author. DOE does not accept telefacsimiles (faxes).
According to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information that
he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from public
disclosure should submit two copies: one copy of the document including
all the information believed to be confidential, and one copy of the
document with the information believed to be confidential deleted. DOE
will make its own determination about the confidential status of the
information and treat it according to its determination.
Issued in Washington, DC, on April 7, 2016.
Kathleen B. Hogan,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency and
Renewable Energy.
Superior Boiler Works, Inc.
3524 E. 4th St.
Hutchinson, KS 67504
(620) 662-6693
July 21, 2015
U.S. Department of Energy
Attention: Ms. Ashley Armstrong
Subject: Revised Commercial Packaged Boilers Waiver Request
Dear Ms. Armstrong,
We previously submitted a waiver request on June 30, 2015 but wish
to submit this revised waiver request in place of it. In accordance
with the provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 431,
paragraph 431.401, Superior Boiler Works, Inc. is hereby petitioning
for a waiver from the following specific test procedures
[[Page 22252]]
specified for Commercial Packaged Boilers:
1. Paragraph 431.86 Uniform test method for the measurement of
energy efficiency of commercial packaged boilers. This section
requirements that boilers be tested using the provisions of HI BTS-
2000. We propose to use the newly published AHRI Standard 1500, 2015
Standard for Performance Rating of Commercial Space Heating Boilers.
There are several issues that make BTS 2000 incompatible with larger
boilers that were previously identified and discussed. AHRI has worked
diligently over the last year or so to revise BTS-2000 in order to
address those issues and make BTS 2000 suitable for larger boilers.
AHRI Standard 1500 is the result of that work. Use of this new standard
is desirable as it is compatible with the various size boilers we
manufacture.
2. Paragraph 431.86(c)(1)(iv) The requirement to use test
conditions specified in BTS-2000 specifically the requirements for the
test pressure for steam boilers, the required water temperatures for
hot water boilers and instrumentation requirements seem to refer back
to the middle of the last century rather than the present day, for
example:
The 0 to 2 psig test pressure for steam boilers may be
perfectly adequate for residential and small commercial (cast iron)
boilers sized boilers, however is not compatible with large boilers as
it will cause water carryover in large quantities, and an inability to
meet design water flow rates and firing rates. Typically test pressures
in range 10 to 12 psig are required.
Test temperatures defined for hot water boilers are
guaranteed to cause thermal shock problems in large boilers.
The instrumentation chart, Table 1, has several problem
areas, as follows:
[cir] Steam pressure cannot be measured by mercury manometer as the
use of mercury in instruments and controls is banned. The correct
instrument is a Bourdon Tube Gauge 0 to 30 psig
[cir] Large boilers typically fire into a positive pressure
combustion chamber, thus gas pressure, firebox pressure and vent/flue
pressure instruments all need to reflect this.
[cir] The use of scales to measure water/condensate/moisture flow
rates is incompatible with the sheer volume of these fluids being used
or generated by large boilers. Water flow meters should be used and in
the case of moisture content, current practice is to use a throttling
calorimeter.
[cir] The measurement of carbon dioxide as a means of calculating
excess air or oxygen is considered obsolete in the large boiler
industry. Direct measurement of excess oxygen is the preferred method
as modern oxygen meters can easily be calibrated against the oxygen in
the ambient air.
[cir] Carbon Monoxide levels are no longer measured as a
percentage. The current preferred unit is ppm.
AHRI 1500 has taken into account these changes.
3. Paragraph 431.86(c)(2)(iii)(B) Rating. This paragraph specifies
that for boilers capable of supplying either steam or hot water, that
are tested on steam only, the hot water efficiency shall be based on
the testing in the steam mode. We propose to use an adjusted steam
efficiency for hot water when testing on steam only. The adjustment is
made to the measured stack temperature to be used in calculating
efficiency based on the relative difference between the flue gas
temperature and the bulk fluid temperature when operating on steam vs.
hot water using the following relationship:
Tstackhw = (Tstacksteam - Tsat) +
Tbulkhw, where
Tstackhw = stack temperature to be used to determine the
efficiency on hot water.
Tstacksteam = measured stack temperature when testing on
steam.
Tbulkhw = 180 [deg]F
The dominant heat transfer variable for both steam and hot water
boilers is the gas side coefficient and there is very little difference
in the overall heat transfer coefficient between steam and hot water
boilers. It is possible therefore to determine what a hot water boiler
stack temperature will be based on a steam test based on the difference
in the bulk fluid temperature in the boiler. We believe that using this
adjusted stack temperature to calculate efficiency is a more accurate
representation of the actual efficiency when operating as a hot water
boiler than simply using the steam efficiency value.
The basic models that this request is applicable to are scotch
marine, firetube boilers used for commercial packaged space heating,
Section IV ASME applications. The specific models offered by Superior
Boiler Works in this category for section IV ASME applications includes
the following:
1. Arrowhead
2. Triad
3. Apache
4. Seminole
5. Super Seminole
6. Mohican
7. Aztec
8. Mohawk
9. Osage
10. SX-6
11. SX-8
Other know manufacturers of similar products are listed below.
These manufacturers will be notified by Superior Boiler Works, Inc. of
this waiver, if and when the deviation is granted, in accordance with
paragraph 431.401(c).
AESYS Technologies, LLC
Bryan Steam
Burnham Commercial
Cleaver-Brooks
Easco
Fulton Boiler Works
Hurst Boiler
Johnston Boiler Company
Lattner Boiler Company
Miura
Precision Boilers, LLC
Unilux
Vapor Power International, LLC
Victory Energy Operations, LLC
Williams & Davis Boilers
We appreciate your consideration of this request. If you have any
additional questions please don't hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mokhtar Matallah
Vice President, Engineering
Cc: Mr. Doug Wright, President & CEO, Superior Boiler Works, Inc.
[FR Doc. 2016-08738 Filed 4-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
