We get a lot of questions about DEF and how to use it effectively on your forecourt, so we asked the expertise of Danny Seals, a forecourt solutions expert, to provide us with some simple answers.
What is DEF?
DEF is a urea-water solution that is injected into the exhaust stream of diesel automobiles to convert NOx gases (harmful emissions) into nitrogen and water. Vehicle manufacturers introduced a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to meet EPA emissions limits in 2010. This is a strategy to achieve the requirements without sacrificing engine performance or fuel economy. DEF isn’t a fuel additive, and it’s kept in its own tank.
Who needs DEF, why?
DEF is required for medium and heavy-duty vehicles equipped with diesel engines manufactured after 2010. To meet emissions rules, the vehicle is configured to inject DEF into the exhaust stream. The engine performance will be diminished and lower speeds will be imposed if the vehicle is allowed to run out of DEF.
What are the different delivery modes of DEF?
DEF is available in a variety of forms. A driver can purchase jugs/containers in a variety of sizes. This necessitates the driver physically transferring the DEF into the car. When installed, DEF can also be dispensed into the vehicle using a fueling dispenser.
Which retailers should offer DEF and what indicators can they use to decide?
Because there is such a vast population of automobiles on the road, DEF is an excellent product for all c-stores to offer. Retailers who sell diesel at their gas stations can utilize the volume sold to estimate the number of diesel customers they have. DEF is required by the majority of today’s heavy-duty trucks. Locations with a separate large truck filling station might think about putting DEF in the dispensers. Because they buy DEF in quantity to keep in their tanks, this results in higher profit margins. Some places that sell a lot of diesel on their forecourt should also consider a dispenser option.
How can Gilbarco help retailers get into DEF?
Since the inception of DEF requirements, Gilbarco has been the industry leader in DEF dispensers. Over the years, we’ve worked with large stores to provide dispenser functionality, and we’ve established the industry standard for this service. Gilbarco assists merchants in entering the DEF dispensing market by providing factory-installed options and retrofitting existing dispensers where DEF is stored in bulk.
Does diesel exhaust fluid do anything?
If you’re new to owning a diesel vehicle or heavy equipment, you should be aware of a key additive. Diesel Exhaust Fluid is what it’s called (DEF). Aqueous urea solution 32 percent, or AUS 32, is another name for this ingredient. 32.5 percent urea and 67.5 percent de-ionized water are used to make it. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about DEF.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandated that diesel engines cut their emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in 2010. Diesel Exhaust Fluid, an additive, is used to achieve this reduction (DEF).
This fluid helps to reduce NOx emissions and pollution in the air. As a result, it aids heavy machinery and trucks in adhering to federal pollution standards. Heavy-duty diesel trucks and equipment have featured a diesel tank and a separate diesel exhaust fluid tank since 2010.
What happens if you run without DEF fluid?
Vehicle makers must implement procedures to ensure that vehicles cannot run without Diesel Exhaust Fluid, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (DEF). The driver of a vehicle receives a succession of alerts on their dashboard displays before the DEF tank runs out (much the same way as if they were running low on diesel). In general, an amber warning bulb will illuminate when the DEF tank level drops below 10%, flashing at 5%, and solid amber warning light will illuminate when the DEF tank level dips below 2.5 percent.
The engine’s power is lowered, a solid red warning is displayed, and the vehicle’s speed is limited to 5 mph until the DEF tank is refilled if the truck is allowed to run out of DEF.
Do you have to use diesel exhaust fluid?
Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) is installed on all diesel-fueled vehicles made after 2010 and requires the usage of diesel exhaust fluid.
Is DEF fluid necessary?
As if finding a clean spot to pump gas wasn’t difficult enough, diesel owners also had to worry about keeping their diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) tanks filled off. What happens if the treatment tank is completely depleted? We did the research and testing so you don’t have to.
Diesel veterans have long known how to deal with this issue. The following primer is intended for newcomers to diesel engines as well as gasoline-engine fans interested in learning more about life on the other side. DEF, commonly known as AdBlue or Blue DEF, is an elixir required to ensure that the exhaust from a diesel vehicle is as pleasant as an Alpine breeze. Those who refuse to listen to DEF risk severe consequences.
DEF is a fluid made up of urea and deionized water in a 1:2 solution that can be purchased at most service stations for $6 to $10 a gallon. To manage some pollutants, it’s stored in a reservoir separate from the gasoline tank and metered into the engine’s exhaust stream. The DEF vaporizes and decomposes into ammonia and carbon dioxide inside the exhaust pipe. Inside the vehicle’s selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, these two chemicals react with oxygen and harmful nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide are produced as a result of this process.
Make certain that any DEF you buy is labeled to meet ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 22241 requirements. While DEF does not deteriorate with age, it can freeze, so keep your supply somewhere warm. Because the contents stay in solution, no shaking or mixing is required prior to use.
Can I pee in my DEF tank?
Because urine is not made of diesel exhaust fluid, urinating in your SCR system will result in you having to pay a lot of money to clean and replace engine components once they’ve been contaminated. Following the deductive premise that urine contains urea and so urine + water = DEF is 100 percent incorrect and will result in a slew of costly mechanical issues. In either urea or water, the urea contained at urine is neither in the proper concentration for DEF, nor is it of sufficient purity. To summarize, urine and DEF equals Never. REMEMBER NOT TO PEE IN YOUR DEFENSE TANK!
Is diesel exhaust fluid made from pig urine?
That’s why, starting in 2010, all diesel trucks were required to have systems dedicated to putting DEF to use. Diesel Exhaust Fluid, which is made up of 32.5 percent urea and 67.5 percent de-ionized water, is sprayed into a vehicle’s exhaust system to aid in the breakdown of NOx emissions, converting them to harmless nitrogen and water. If you’re thinking to yourself, “Urea is a type of urea. You’re on the right brainwave if that sounds oddly like ‘urine.’ When a body metabolizes protein, it produces urea, an organic molecule. (We do, in fact, excrete it as pee.) However, despite DEF’s moniker, “Diesel Exhaust Fluid is really constructed of commercial-grade ureasynthetic ammonia and carbonand is referred to as “pig urine.”
To put it another way, the urea and water in DEF heat up and produce ammonia. The NOx emissions are subsequently neutralized as the ammonia breaks down. The tail pipe emits fewer harmful substances, allowing everyone to breathe a little better.
What does Blue DEF?
BlueDEF SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) systems in diesel automobiles employ Diesel Exhaust Fluid, which is a blend of high purity synthetic urea and deionized water. DEF is a chemical that aids in the conversion of NOx into harmless nitrogen and water.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a fundamental component of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) process, which is employed by diesel engine manufacturers to comply with EPA 2010 rules. BlueDEF is a harmless solution made out of 67.5 percent purified water and 32.5 percent automotive-grade urea. BlueDEF isn’t a gasoline or a gasoline additive. Instead, when BlueDEF is injected into the exhaust stream and passed via a catalyst, it aids in the conversion of NOx to nitrogen gas and water vapor, both of which are safe and natural components of the air we breathe.
- BlueDEF’s Purity Guarantee ensures that the DEF you’re buying has been rigorously tested to meet or exceed OEM specifications.
- It complies with the ISO-22241-1 DEF specification and is a diesel exhaust fluid recognized by the American Petroleum Institute (API).
Can I put water instead of DEF fluid?
It’s unlikely that removing the urea from the DEF that is, running water through the injectors instead will harm the system because the level and quantity of corrosive reactants inside the stainless steel SCR system will be reduced.
Is DEF delete illegal?
It’s not difficult to find someone who can modify or remove the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (or DEF) emissions systems on your agricultural equipment if you look hard enough. Given the openness with which this service is provided, a farmer could be forgiven for thinking DEF alterations are permitted.
They aren’t. The EPA Clean Air Act forbids anybody from removing or rendering inoperable an emission control device on a motor vehicle in the United States. Under a different name, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Canada has essentially the same statute.
Even though it is forbidden, DEF tampering occurs. What is causing this, and what are the potential consequences?
Early DEF systems, according to Kevin Rossler, Sales Manager for Markusson New Holland Ag in Regina, could be problematic.
“There were early concerns in agricultural equipment as it developed into Tier-Four emissions or DEF systems,” explains Rossler. “An error code from a sensor failing at seeding time could cause you to lose power, which is quite inconvenient. As a result, several operators wanted to get rid of their DEF systems or purchase DEF delete kits to avoid having to utilize them.”
Interfering with a DEF system can get you in trouble with the law, but that’s not the only danger. It will also nullify the manufacturer’s warranty on the equipment. When equipment with tampered DEF arrives at a dealership as a trade-in, it must be returned to its original DEF settings before it can be resold. That’s $5,000 to $7,000, according to Rossler’s experience.
He advises equipment owners to let go of any remaining misconceptions regarding DEF, stating that current versions of the technology work significantly more consistently. DEF systems are unlikely to cause problems in the field, but they’re excellent at what they’re supposed to do: regulate emissions from agricultural equipment and help farming keep its good environmental reputation.
“Early DEF systems are nothing like what we have now,” says Larry Hertz, WEDA’s Regional Vice-President for Canada. “Today, you could place your face right close to the exhaust pipe and nothing would come out. DEF is required by legislation in order to maintain air quality. That’s all the more incentive to leave your DEF alone and let it do its thing.”