Franklin Fueling Systems has annouced that their submersible turbine pumps (STPs) are now Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed for use in applications containing ethanol concentrations up to 85 percent. According to their press release, their FE Petro STP passed a 16-week testing procedure with the high ethanol blend.

“There is a certain peace of mind that comes with a third-party approval like the UL listing. Our customers know that our equipment has been put through some very demanding testing in order to achieve that listing. They can be confident when they put our STP in the ground to pump ethanol blends that it will perform to the highest degree,” said Jay Walsh, Vice President of Business Development for Franklin Fueling Systems. Franklin Fueling enhanced their product by replacing soft or yellow metals with stainless steel to obtain the UL certifiation.

“This UL listing marks a significant achievement for the FE Petro brand as well as the industry itself,” said Walsh. “We feel that this type of future fuel compatibility will only increase across the petroleum equipment industry moving forward. With the EPA showing its support of higher ethanol blends and the current administration’s commitment to strengthening the ethanol fuel infrastructure and vehicle fleet, we feel it is only a matter of time before the demand for products that are UL listed for high concentrations of ethanol blend will begin to significantly increase.”

At this time, there is no E85 complete dispensing unit that is UL approved. The industry expects approval the second quarter of 2010.