{"operation":"document","citation":"12-0009","title":"Yokayo Biofuels — Hazardous Materials Safety Interpretation","source_type":"guidance","agency":"Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration","status":"guidance","official":true,"published_on":"2012-02-09","effective_on":null,"summary":"12-0009 response to Yokayo Biofuels concerning 173.150.","machine_formats":{"json":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0009.json","markdown":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0009.md"},"app_url":"https://regulus.evalyn.ai/document/phmsa-interpretation-12-0009","source_url":"https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/legacy/interpretations/Interpretations/2012/120009.pdf","body":"<<<PAGE 1>>>\n\nU.S. Department Washington. DC 20590\n1200 New Jersey Avenue SE\nof Transportation\nPipeline and Hazardous\nMaterials Safety\nAdministration\nFEB 0 9 ~012\nMr. Brian Eberly\nProcessing Engineer\nY o kayo Biofuels\n150 Perry Street\nUkiah, CA 95482\nRef. No. 12-0009\nDear Mr. Eberly:\nThis responds to your January 6, 2012 email regarding the applicability of the Hazardous\nMaterials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180). Specifically, you ask if a bulk shipment\nof a byproduct of the production of biodiesel, consisting of water, glycerin, methanol, and small\namounts of soaps, salts and vegetable oil, is subject to the HMR.\nSection 173.22 states that a shipper is required to properly class and describe the hazardous\nmaterial in accordance with Parts 172 and 173 of the HMR, and to determine that the packaging\nor container is an authorfzed packaging in accordance with Part 173. This Office does not\nperform this function. However, based on the information provided, it appears that the material\nyou describe may meet the definition for an aqueous solution of alcohol as specified in\n§ 173.150(e)(2). Section 173.l50(e)(2) states that an aqueous solution containing 24 percent or\nless alcohol by volume and no other hazardous material is not subject to the HMR as long as it\ncontains no less than 50 percent water (§ 173.150(e)(2)).\nI hope this answers your inquiry. Ifyou have further questions, please contact this office.\nSincerely,\n(l \",..\n\\I:~'\n. <--:,t-t, /------.~~\n~--. ;\"'~\nBen Supko\nActing Chief, Standards Development Branch\nStandards and Rulemaking Division\n\n<<<PAGE 2>>>\n\nDrakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nFrom: INFOCNTR (PHMSA)\nSent: Friday, January 06,20124:30 PM\nTo: Drakeford, Carolyn (PHMSA)\nSubject: FW: Formal Letter of Interpretation\nHi Carolyn,\nWe received the following request for a letter of interpretation.\nThanks,\nVictoria\nVictoria Lehman\nHazmat Information Center (HMIC)\nhttp://phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat/info-center\n(202) 366-1035\nFrom: Brian Eberly [mailto:brian@ybiofuels.org]\nSent: Friday, January 06,20124:18 PM\nTo: PHMSA HM InfoCenter\nSubject: Formal Letter of Interpretation\nHello, I wish to get interpretation on the classification of a material for bulk trucking. I believe the material is except\nunder 49 CRF 173.150 e, as a material having a low flashpoint due only to alcohol in an aqueous solution and having no\nother hazardous components. Our material is a byproduct of the production of biodiesel, is consists of crude glycerin\nand wash water. The primary components are water, glycerin and methanol, with small amounts of soaps, salts and\nvegetable oil. The methanol content varies, but it is usually 10% and never higher than 20% (v/v), the mixture is always\nmore than 50% water. As methanol meets the definition for alcohol as described in 49 CRF 382.107, I believe our\nmixture is not classified as a hazardous material. Is this correct?\nCheers,\nBrian Eberly\nProcess Engineer\nYokayo Biofuels\nUkiah, CA\n707-468-1065 x 101\nbrian\n1","truncated":false,"body_characters":2969}