INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
More than a Passing Grade Bill Poray’s formula for
EPA seeks to reduce global warming potential by giving OK to new chemical already in the queue of automakers, air- conditioning manufacturers.
EPA Approves HFO-1234yf
Air-Conditioning Coolant Te EPA issued final approval last month for a new refrigerant
for use in automotive air conditioning systems that does not de- plete the ozone layer, and the industry is already ramping up for its use. Te new fluorinated hydrocarbon-based chemical is called HFO-1234yf, and it can be used as a drop-in replacement for HFC- 134a (also known as R-134a) to phase harmful chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). EPA’s approval means HFO-1234yf can now be used in air conditioning for all automotive and commercial vehicles, including school buses. Te EPA said the chemical, when used appropriately, can reduce the environmental impact of motor vehicle air condi- tioners and has a global warming potential that is 99.7 percent less than HFC–134a, which is used in most car air conditioners. HFO- 1234yf has a global warming potential rating 335 times less than that of HFC-134a. A spokesperson from Bitzer US said that the new chemical will
definitely affect school buses in North America within a decade. Last year, GM became the first to market the refrigerant. Dupont and Honeywell are expected to open a new plant this year that will produce HFO-1234yf. Carrier Transicold announced HFO-1234yf will be available for its air conditioning units beginning in 2013. HFO-1234yf is considered slightly flammable, but the Society
of Automotive Engineers studied the chemical several times over the past several years and found that it could not be ignited under normal vehicle operating conditions, and HFO-1234yf is the best environmental-choice compared to the refrigerant R-744 preferred in some parts of Europe. All vehicle platforms sold in Europe as of Jan. 1 of this year must use an air-conditioning refrigerant with a global warming potential (GWP) of less than 150. HFO-1234yf has a GWP of four. SAE also found that HFO-1234yf has shown excellent com-
patibility with plastics and synthetic rubber used in automotive air-conditioning systems and a lower permeation rate from hoses than HFC-134a. R-744 requires metal hoses and special seals.
14 School Transportation News Magazine April 2011
success as a school bus driver for Fairport Central School District near Roch- ester, N.Y., is pretty simple. Since he started driving in May 2009, he has known the names of his riders and greets each and every one of them with a friendly smile. And it just goes to show that can go a long way with children, like Sage Carroll. In
February, Poray re-
ceived a report card from the fourth grader, who gave him perfect marks for “being social with everyone.” In fact, Poray’s lowest grade was an “A++” and his highest grade
was an A to the tenth power (or an A++++++++++). Te girl graded Poray in the cat- egories, “driving,” “parking,” “getting along with people,” “being nice,” “taking me home,” and “just being you.” “Mr. B has been a great
bus driver!” the child also wrote. “I come on the bus and I feel great because I see his shining smile!” She added: “Caution!!
His kindness might make everyone else nice! (It’s re- ally not that bad.)” Poray said he tries to know something
about
each child on his bus so he can ask about their swimming lessons, soccer
Bus Tire Prices Back on the Rise Recent unrest in the Middle East and North Africa has
wreaked havoc on fuel prices here in the states, but pain is not only being felt at the pump. In the past two months, three major bus tire vendors announced they were passing big cost increases along to customers. In early February, Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions said
it was hiking the price of its commercial bus and truck tires by 12 percent. About two weeks later Michelin North Amer- ica said its commercial Michelin, BFGoodrich and Michelin Retread truck tires would cost customers 12 percent more. Ten, in March, Double Coin/China Manufacturers Alliance (CMA) announced its own 13 percent hike. “Rising energy prices effecting raw materials and transpor-
tation costs continue to adversely inflict pricing pressures on tire manufacturers and marketers,” said Aaron Murphy, vice president of CMA. “Due to these factors, we are initiating a general price increase, with some in-line changes.” “Unfortunately, severely escalating raw material costs,
as well as energy and other costs related to manufacturing, have made a price increase of this level unavoidable,” added Kurt Danielson, president of Bridgestone Bandag. “We remain committed always to provide a premium package of quality and value to our customers.” Messages left at Hankook Tire were unreturned at this writing.
Head Start on the Chopping Block? At this writing, H.R. 1, the Full-Year Continuing Appropria-
tions Act that was passed in late February by the House, had been rejected by the Senate, a bill that would have cut more
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