How important is DEF?
Very, to our diesel powered equipment and our environment. Let’s talk DEF!
The EPA has been working tirelessly to reduce carbon emission, in 2010 the EPA mandated the reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel from 500 parts per million (ppm) to 15 ppm creating what we all use today, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel for all highway diesel fuel used in the US. The ULSD fuel is a cleaner burning fuel than its predecessor. Ready to fuel your fleet with ultra-low sulfur clear highway diesel, learn more about our on-road diesel fuel delivery!
Along with the efforts of reducing sulfur, in 2010 the EPA also implemented the reduction of NOx emissions from diesel engines using selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. SCR is essential tech in the transportation and machine sectors to reduce pollution and harmful exhaust emissions created by diesel engines. Diesel engines equipped with SCR require the addition of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), or AdBlue in Euro. DEF is stored in a separate DEF tank on the equipment, look for the baby blue cap marked DEF, when the system calls for a dose the DEF is automatically injected into the vehicle or machines tailpipe exhaust system to reduce the NOx emissions as they flow through the SCR catalytic converter before being released into the atmosphere. An ECU or electronically controlled unit controls adjust the addition of the DEF to the exhaust as it travels out of the diesel engine to keep pollutants at a minimum.
What is Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)?
In very short, a chemical process of NOx, that occurs in the catalytic converters to reduce NOx to N2 with the addition of DEF. The SCR is able to breakdown and convert the harmful nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons into less harmful nitrogen and water.
What is NOx?
NOx a family of 7 compounds, nitrogen dioxide, NO2, is the most prevalent form of NOx generated by our daily lives, like using diesel powered equipment. Nitrogen oxides are produced from the reaction of nitrogen and oxygen gases only during combustion at high temperatures. Under normal temperatures, oxygen and nitrogen gases do not react together or cause NOx.
What is DEF made of?
Its not cow urine, or is it? Short answer, NO! Urea may be spelled like Urine but it is not the same.
DEF is made of high purity solution of synthetic urea, 32.5% and de-ionized water solution. DEF is only injected into the exhaust system and has no effect on the motor or fuel economy. The diesel exhaust fluid tank is market with a blue cap and for heavy highway diesel trucks is usually located next the the diesel fuel tank. Keep the vehicles DEF tank topped off and full, if the DEF tank goes empty, the vehicle will go into limp mode and eventually stop running.
Can Diesel Exhaust Fluid Freeze?
DEF will begin to crystallize and freeze at 12 deg F (-11 deg C).
How much does Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) weight per pound?
DEF weights about 9 pounds per gallon. Don’t lift, let American Energy Supply deliver.
How should Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) be stored?
DEF should be stored in a cool dry place, optimum storage temperature is up to 77 deg F (25 deg C), and out of direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. DEF can be corrosive to some metals like steel, aluminum, copper and zinc, please store your DEF in poly or DEF approved plastic containers. DEF can evaporate, keep the containers capped and sealed.
Is DEF Flammable?
No, DEF is not flammable and will not aid in combustion. Never put DEF into your diesel or gas tank.
What is ISO Certified DEF?
The International Organization for Standardization (also known as ISO), is the international non-governmental organization that sets the standards for manufacturing process, service, or management systems used to ensure that materials, products, services and processes are consistent to fit their objective. ISO develops and sets the standards to ensure the quality, safety and efficiency of products Across the world are consistent. It’s a big deal! ISO certified diesel exhaust fluid ensures that the DEF has met all the requirements for quality and efficiency set by ISO‘s quality assurance standards. Certification is tested annually. Check out the ISO info for DEF here.
What is API certified DEF?
American Petroleum Institute (API) certifies and monitors that diesel exhaust fluid meets ISO specifications, it is another level of assurance that the Colonial™ DEF team take to assure that all DEF produced is consistently the highest quality available and meets all specs for your heavy highway diesel trucks, consumer diesel trucks and cars, equipment like generators and construction equipment.
American Energy Supply is proud to be authorized dealer of Colonial™ DEF products.
Colonial™ DEF products meets all ISO22241 and API specifications and is API and ISO certified.
We sell and deliver all your DEF needs:
- 2.5 Gallon Cubes- Individual
- 2.5 Cube Pallet – 72 cubes on a pallet
- 55 Gallon Drums
- 275 Gallon Totes
- 340 Gallon Totes
DEF supply disruptions are not an option for your business operations, we stock a large supply in house. Call us today to schedule your delivery 1-800-494-4521, or to make arrangements for pickup at one of our two locations. Upper Chichester, PA or Wilmington, DE.
