Why Gas Cans No Longer Use Traditional Venting: An Overview
In recent years, the use of traditional gas cans with vent holes has been phased out due to regulatory changes aimed at reducing evaporative emissions. This article explains the reasoning behind these changes and the impact on the usability of modern gas cans.
Regulatory Changes
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented new regulations in 2009 for portable fuel containers, commonly known as gas cans. The new standards prohibited the production and sale of gas cans with vent holes. This effectively ended the availability of gas cans that were easy to use but also contributed to air pollution through evaporative emissions.
No Separate Vent Holes
Under the new regulations, any gas can containing fuel must not vent without the user's activation. This means that the can must be designed to vent only when necessary, eliminating the need for a separate vent hole. The top of the can must close automatically to prevent uncontrolled emissions.
Design of New Gas Cans
The new design of gas cans emphasizes spill reduction and improved environmental performance. Instead of a separate vent hole, these modern cans use a specially designed spout that serves both as a pouring outlet and a vent. This design ensures that the can remains sealed when the spout is not in use, minimizing the risk of spills and emissions.
How the New Design Works
Modern gas cans are vented through the pouring spout. If the second container is filled or if the end of the spout is submerged in the gas, the flow decreases and stops due to a vacuum effect. This design not only prevents spills but also ensures that the gasoline can be poured without needing to remove a separate cap, further reducing the risk of emissions.
Challenges and Usage Issues
Despite the benefits of the new design, many users have reported initial difficulties and practical issues when using these modern gas cans.
Reduced Visibility During Filling
Because the spout serves as a primary vent, many users find it challenging to see the gas level in the can during filling. The spout must be fully inserted into the fuel tank opening to pour, which can obstruct the user's view of the level. This often results in visual feedback delay, leading to attempts to overfill the can or spillage when the user stops pouring prematurely.
Practical Inconveniences
For tasks requiring precise fueling, such as filling a lawn mower's tank, the new design can be frustrating. Users sometimes experience minor spills because pouring is more difficult to control. In some cases, such as filling a chainsaw's fuel tank with a smaller capacity, the design can even cause gas and oil mix spills more frequently.
Conclusion
The transition to gas cans with no separate vent holes was driven by the need to reduce evaporative emissions and improve environmental performance. While the new design offers significant benefits, it has also brought about some usability challenges. Users are adapting to the new design, but it is clear that the old style of gas cans with separate vent holes and uninterrupted pouring mechanism will not be returning.
Understanding the regulatory changes and their impact on the design and usage of modern gas cans can help users to better adapt to these new devices, ensuring both safety and environmental responsibility.