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Nationwide Boiler news and events, industry updates, technical resources and more. You hear it first on The Nationwide Boiler Blog!

Boiler Basics 101: Understanding Air Permitting for Boilers in California - SCAQMD and RECLAIM

California is known for having one of the most stringent air emissions standards in the nation. Not only has the state been making environmentally conscious efforts since the 1960’s, it is also the only state that can write its own air pollution related laws and standards. When the Clean Air Act passed, Congress required the Environmental Protection Agency to grant California exemption, since the state was already developing innovative laws and standards to address the state’s major air pollution issues.


As a boiler owner in California, familiarizing yourself with local air laws and regulations can be overwhelming, which is why Nationwide Boiler is here to help. Let’s start with one of the two toughest air districts in the state, the SCAQMD.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) encompasses the Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County  . The SCAQMD implemented the REgional CLean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) Program in 1993 to reduce NOx and SOx emissions produced by the region’s facilities. Although the program calls for potentially expensive equipment upgrades or replacements to meet the new guidelines, companies may qualify for trading credits and other incentives through partnerships with local utilities (like SoCalGas).

aaaaaWithin the RECLAIM standards, Rule 1146 outlines specific guidelines for boilers, steam generators, and process heaters that have a heat input of 5 mmBtu/hr or greater, that are utilized in all industrial, institutional, and commercial operations. This rule has changed several times, and at the end of 2018, another revision to the rule was adopted. All Group 1 units (>/= 75MMBTu/hr) as well as Group II units (20 - 75 MMBTu/hr) with an existing permit limit greater than 2 ppm must comply with a 5 ppm NOx limit. In addition, facilities that qualify must be in compliance by 2022 – 2023. The table below outlines all equipment and current limits based on category and heat input.

If your facility falls into the RECLAIM bubble, Nationwide Boiler can assist in bringing your stationary equipment up to current standards to comply with the latest rules and regulations. Our CataStak™ SCR system is proven to reduce NOx emissions to as low as 2.5 ppm on boilers, fired heaters, and other demanding applications. Imagine what we can do for your facility to get you in compliance with RECLAIM!

Stay tuned for part 2, where we will outline specific rules and regulations within the SJVAPCD.

Building A Culture That Leads To Success

Recent studies show that companies are restructuring their culture, steering away from the competitive work environment with minimal employee recognition, and shifting towards adapting a more team-centric and collaborative working atmosphere.

Nationwide Boiler is proud to say that we have always been a company that encourages team building, and are more than happy to recognize and reward our employees as they excel in their position. In fact, in addition to 5-year length of service awards that are presented at our annual Christmas party, we recognize employees who make a big impact with our ‘Big Kahuna’ award at each quarterly birthday celebration.

IMG_1145.JPGTo encourage camaraderie throughout our company, Nationwide Boiler coordinates multiple events for employees to take part in. This year we have a total of 6 sporting events in the lineup, including soccer, baseball, and college football. The next game we are looking forward to is the Oakland A’s vs. Texas Rangers, and of course, we will be rooting for the A’s! We also coordinate multiple barbeques & dessert socials throughout the year to satisfy our many food lovers and celebrate certain events. Most recently, we held our Independence Day barbeque the week of July 4th. We had grill masters, Larry Day and Michele Tomas, cook up some delicious burgers and hotdogs; while Holly Lepo spoiled us all with her famous and delicious chili, yum! We can’t wait for the next one.

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In addition to being sports enthusiasts and foodies, we also like participating and getting in on the action. We recently hosted a bowling lunch at our local bowling alley, Cloverleaf Family Bowl. The group was split into 8 teams (with fun, creative team names), in a competition to win the title of Nationwide Boiler’s 2019 Bowling Champions. In the end, Team Vapor & Team Combustion went head to head, but Team Vapor came out on top. Congratulations to Tim McBride, Phil Blake, Nic Petty, and Sandy Nevels. Let’s see who will take home the title at our next bowling event! 

Nationwide Boiler is blessed to have a team of hard-working, dedicated individuals, which is why we like to create an environment in which they can come to work excited and motivated. Not only does a team focused and collaborative culture increase motivation, it is also proven to improve productivity, encourage creativity, and build trust between employees. And we are living proof of that.

Boiler Basics 101: Common Rental Boilers on the Market

The boiler rental business began over fifty years ago, solving multiple industries’ need for temporary and emergency steam. Nationwide Boiler was at the forefront of the boiler rental industry, starting off with one of the first mobile rental boilers; a 20,000 lb/hr, 300 psig design, O-type package watertube boiler. This boiler was designed for permanent use on a highway-legal open deck trailer, making it a true mobile boiler. This new idea allowed companies to cut capital costs, save time, and be more efficient in their operations. Now, rental boilers are available for small-scale projects to industrial sized applications.

In last month’s edition of Boiler Basics 101, we discussed why rental boilers are a great choice for boiler owners in a variety of industries. To continue the topic, we will now discuss the different types of rental boilers currently on the market.

Trailer-Mounted Boilers

  • Permanently installed on highway-legal trailers for easy transport by truck
  • Boilers of various sizes up to 125,000 lb/hr, both saturated and superheated steam
  • Detachable goosenecks and booster extensions allow for easy removal when space is limited
  • Not protected from the weather and precautions must be taken for freeze protection (heat tracing and insulation or temporary housing shelters)
  • Separate feedwater and water treatment systems and other auxiliaries can be provided to support the boiler, as needed

Skid-Mounted Boilers

  • Shop-assembled package boilers, without any true mobility
  • Available in capacities up to 250,000 lb/hr
  • Depending on the size of the boiler, skid-mounted boilers can be transported on a flat-bed trailer, step-deck trailer, or by rail
  • Cranes and/or forklifts typically required for both loading and offloading
  • Not protected from the weather and precautions must be taken for freeze protection (heat tracing and insulation or temporary housing shelters)
  • Separate feedwater and water treatment systems and other auxiliaries can be provided to support the boiler, as needed

Containerized Mobile Boilers

  • Typically includes a package firetube boiler, installed inside a container and mounted on a chassis for mobility
  • Ideal for users who need a boiler-only package that is weatherproofed for outdoor operation in the wintertime
  • Separate feedwater and water treatment systems and other auxiliaries can be provided to support the boiler, as needed

Mobile Boiler Rooms

  • Complete steam plants, self-contained within enclosed vans, with all equipment required to produce steam:
    • *Package firetube boiler
    • Atmospheric feedwater system
      • * Water softener
      • Chemical injection tank
      • * Blowdown separator
  • Typically available in capacities up to 1,000 hp
  • Weatherproofed and better suited than alternatives for outdoor operation in the wintertime

Mobile Steam Plants

  • Similar to a mobile boiler room, with all equipment required to produce steam
  • Equipment is installed on an open, step-deck trailer
  • Not protected from the weather and precautions must be taken for freeze protection (heat tracing and insulation or temporary housing shelters)

Transportable Steam Plants

    • Complete steam plant, normally built inside of a standard 20 or 40’ shipping container
    • Available with either a vertical or a horizontal boiler arrangement depending on requirements
    • Cranes typically required for both loading and offloading
    • These systems accommodate less capacity than a mobile boiler room
    • Popular for overseas and government projects, due to ease of transportation 

Each type of rental boiler system explained above has their own unique advantage and may be better fit for one user over another. The requirements of operation, however, are the same: end-users must supply a fuel source (natural gas, #2 oil, propane, or other fuel), electrical power supply, and make-up water. Which type of rental system is best fit for your unique operation?

Nationwide Boiler maintains an inventory inclusive of all types of boilers listed above, ranging in size from 47.5 hp to 200,000 lb/hr. Visit our website to find a complete listing of rental boilers available, and contact a Nationwide Boiler Sales Representative for additional details and pricing. 1-800-227-1966

Nationwide Boiler Travels for Key Industry Events

June is typically a busy month filled with various industry events, and this year is no different. Next week we are sending Sales Engineer Luke Honnen to Indianapolis, IN to man our booth at this year’s Fuel Ethanol Workshop & Expo. Being held in the “Crossroads of America” June 10-12, the event is the longest running ethanol conference in the world, providing industry professionals with cutting-edge content and unparalleled networking opportunities. This year’s agenda is segmented into five concurrent tracks:

  1. Production & Operations
  2. Leadership & Financial Management
  3. Coproducts & Product Diversification
  4. Infrastructure and Market Development
  5. Advanced Biofuels

Nationwide Boiler will be co-exhibiting with our representative Combustion Systems Inc., as well as Babcock & Wilcox and Zeeco. Luke and the crew will be located at booth #1619, eager to discuss how we can assist with your next boiler or combustion-related project.

That same week, our Director of Sales Bill Testa will be in Houston, TX attending the Downstream Conference, the world’s largest downstream industry event. With over 7,000 industry professionals within Process Engineering, Engineering & Construction, Reliability & Maintenance, Shutdowns & Turnarounds, and Supply Chain & Logistics, the conference will tackle core challenges with world-class experts. If you will be in the Houston area that week, feel free to reach out to connect with Bill and our rep from HTS during or after the show.

At the end of the month, President & CEO Larry Day will head to Asheville, NC with Bill Testa to attend the ABMA’s Annual Summer Meeting, a four-day event that provides educational and networking opportunities geared for the boiler manufacturing industry. The focus of this year’s meeting will be leadership and innovation, two key factors of a successful business model.

Our last event of the month is the IDEA Annual Tradeshow and Conference, scheduled for June 24 – 27 in Pittsburgh, PA. This year’s theme is, “Energy for More Resilient Cities”, focused on building a better tomorrow. Nationwide Boiler’s Eastern US Business Manager, Jim Barbeau, will be at booth #95. Be sure to stop by to learn about how Nationwide Boiler’s family of companies can support the district heating industry with temporary and permanent boiler solutions, environmental control equipment, and integrated combustion controls.