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AD Blue

What is it?

What is AdBlue and why do we needed it? AdBlue is a high purity aqueous Urea solution containing a 32.5% solution of Urea in water. The quality of AdBlue is important and is defined in a DIN standard. DIN 70070.

New legislation regarding exhaust emission limits have been set by the European Union. These new exhaust limits came into force in 2005 (EURO4) and in 2008 (EURO5). The limits are set out in several European Union Directives, including 88/77/EEC, 1999/96/EC and 2001/27/EC.

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and AdBlue has been selected by the vehicle manufactures as a solution to reduce the emissions from diesel engines.

SCR systems will be used on diesel powered heavy-duty vehicles over 3.5 tonnes to reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions (N0x).  Adblue usage amounts to approx. 3-4% of the fuel consumption on EURO4 vehicles. A typical heavy-duty vehicle will consume approx. 3 tonnes of AdBlue / annum.

AdBlue is the registered trademark for AUS32 (Aqueous Urea Solution 32.5%) and is used in a process called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce emissions of oxides of nitrogen from the exhaust of diesel vehicles. As the name AUS32 would suggest, it is a 32.5% solution of high-purity urea in demineralised water that is clear, non-toxic and is safe to handle. However, it can be corrosive for some metals and must be stored and transported with the correct materials. The AdBlue trademark is currently held by the German Association of the Automobile Industry (VDA), who ensure quality standards are maintained in accordance with DIN 70070 specifications.

AdBlue is carried onboard SCR-equipped trucks in specially designed tanks and is dosed into the SCR system at a rate equivalent to 3-5% of diesel consumption. This low dosing rate ensures long refill periods and minimises the tanks impact on chassis space. On-highway SCR systems are currently in use throughout Europe, and in Japan and Singapore. The US EPA’s 2010 legislation will limit NOx to levels that will require North American trucks to be equipped with SCR post-2010. The trademark - AdBlue - will not be used in the US market; the most likely name for AUS32 will be Diesel Emissions Fluid (DEF).