News Release: JUly 25, 2011

Fulton Features Renewable Fuel Options for Vantage™ Condensing Hydronic Boiler

Editorial Contacts:

Melissa Zakrajsek
(315) 298-7182

Pulaski, NY — Fulton (www.fulton.com), the global manufacturer of steam, hydronic and thermal fluid heat transfer products and provider of innovative energy management solutions, has developed a condensing boiler that uses clean and renewable liquid fuels for commercial heating.

The Vantage™ boiler, which has been available since 2003 as an ultra high efficiency condensing hydronic boiler, is now drawing attention for its ability to use B-100 Biodiesel and ultra-low sulfur (under 15 ppm) heating oils for full condensing operation.

As a result of comprehensive testing at the independent Brookhaven National Laboratory, it's been proven that the Vantage™ can meet or exceed the thermal efficiencies attainable with natural gas, said Erin Sperry, Fulton's Commercial Heating Product Manager.

"We're diligently exploring renewable energy resources and developing relevant product technologies," Sperry said.

The Vantage™ has been available for a number of years for dual fuel operation: natural gas and #2 heating oil during gas supply interruptions. However, previous system controls intentionally prohibited the boiler from operating in condensing mode during oil-fired operation.

However, the nearly sulfur-free characteristics of B-100 Bio-diesel and ultra-low sulfur heating oil have allowed for new developments. The bio-diesels used in the Brookhaven testing facility included bio-diesels produced from both soybeans and recycled tallow.

Findings included the following:

• Ignition on B-100 Bio-Diesel, even from cold start, was identical to that observed with traditional #2 heating oil.
• Carbon monoxide emissions and smoke-number readings were essentially maintained at zero, during steady-state operation and normal excess air level of 25%.
• Following test runs, burner head inspections found no significant coke deposits.
• Measurable reductions for NOx, SO2, and soot were observed.
• Predicted corrosion rates were in the acceptable range for the application.
• Boiler jacket loss, which was monitored using the standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 103, was found to be 0.2% of steady state input, a very low value.

At Brookhaven, boiler efficiency was measured using both an indirect flue-loss method and a direct input/output method. As typically observed with hydronic boilers, efficiency and condensate collection rate are impacted by the return-water temperature. At high fire with a return water temperature of 122°F, the efficiency was found to be 88 percent. At low fire with a return-water temperature of 90 F, the efficiency was 93 percent. Under BTS-2000 test conditions of 80°F return-water temperature and 180 F supply water temperature, the rated efficiency was 98 percent at high fire.

The B-100 Bio-Diesel Vantage™ boiler is commercially available up to 4,000,000 BTU/HR, and is capable of configurations for liquid fuel, natural gas, or dual fuel operation. For boiler installations that do not yet have bio-diesel or ultra-low sulfur heating oil available, boiler controls can allow the boiler to be fired short-term with conventional #2 heating oil in non-condensing mode.

Funding for testing at the independent laboratory was provided through the support of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). A comprehensive Technological Assessment of the findings was published in the June 2011 edition of ICM Journal.

For additional information about Fulton and its products, or to locate a sales representative near you, please visit www.fulton.com.

The Fulton Companies

With manufacturing facilities in the United States, Great Britain and China, Fulton is a global manufacturer of steam, hydronic and thermal fluid heat transfer systems. Backed by over 60 years of research, innovation and experience, Fulton is building on a tradition of success and is focused on improving life through heat transfer solutions. For additional information about Fulton and its products, visit the company's Web site at www.fulton.com.