Diesel exhaust fluid is more often known by its brand name, AdBlue. It's a solution of urea and purified water that sits in a separate tank from the fuel. AdBlue is sprayed over the exhaust gas produced by the car's engine at very low concentrations while the engine is running, converting the NOx into nitrogen and water.
Your car needs AdBlue just like it needs fuel to work successfully. So you'll see a warning light on your dashboard when the AdBlue level gets low. Then, you'll have time to drive to a filling station or garage and fill up or to buy a container and do it yourself while the light's on. Ignoring the low AdBlue warning and driving on empty will put your vehicle into "limp home" mode, where you won't be able to restart the engine after turning it off.
What Are AdBlue Tanks?
Companies that rely heavily on fleets of diesel vehicles will often install storage tanks to hold Ad Blue. For instance, companies in the transportation business often need onsite Ad Blue tanks to refuel their HGVs and LCVs. As the emissions limits tighten, however, sectors including construction and agriculture are adopting SCR systems. Depending on the size of the business can influence the size and capacity in litres of how much AdBlue tanks can hold. They can range from being able to hold 100 to 10,000 litres.
So, How Exactly Does AdBlue Work?
The AdBlue solution is injected into the vehicle's exhaust; it reacts with the nitrogen oxide gas produced during combustion, removing polluting components of the exhaust gas and converting it to non-polluting nitrogen, oxygen, and water.
This minimises the number of emissions emitted and allows your car to pass more strict requirements that have been placed in place. This process is called selective catalytic reduction and is only used in diesel engines.
The Proper Method of Storing AdBlue
AdBlue must be stored in a dark, cool place (between -6°C and 25°C) in a well-sealed container or dispenser. AdBlue can freeze at -11°c, so it needs to be kept in a place that isn't colder. However, it can be thawed and used again if it does freeze. AdBlue has a maximum shelf life of 12 months and an ideal storage life of 18 months. About six months is the possible storage life when kept at or above 25 degrees Celsius in a well-ventilated container.
Since the solution contains ammonia, which eats away at some metals, like copper, storing it in the wrong container or under unsuitable conditions can cause it to leak or get dirty.
Containers made of high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, or stainless steel are the only acceptable storage options for AdBlue. If you store it in the wrong container, it could get dirty and cause damage to your car, costing you a lot of money, like having to replace the SCR catalyst.
Contamination
The presence of crystals in your diesel tank or a fuel sample indicates that AdBlue has contaminated your fuel. Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, AdBlue cannot be added to diesel fuel by pouring it directly into the fuel tank. Instead, the AdBlue should be dosed into the exhaust gas using a dosing control device, blending in at a predetermined pace.
AdBlue contamination can be kept to a minimum if you take the following measures:
● You have a bunded tank for supplementary supplies
● You have separation of dispensing area drains from storm sewers
● AdBlue can be automatically shut down due to a trigger nozzle
● You are prepared to deal with both large and little spills thanks to the emergency equipment you have
How to Know If I Need an Ad Blue Tank
Only diesel-powered vehicles equipped with an SCR system are allowed to utilise AdBlue. It is important to search for an adblue filler cap, typically found close to the fuel cap (and often blue in colour). The likelihood that your vehicle will require AdBlue increases with the age of your vehicle. All persons and businesses with diesel-powered vehicles should have an AdBlue storage tank to correctly and safely store the substance to minimize the risk of contamination.
