AdBlue – what do you need to know about it?

The stricter exhaust emission standards set by the European Union have forced the manufacturers of internal combustion vehicles to apply technologies that allow to reduce the content of harmful substances in exhaust gases. One of them is the use of AdBlue. From our post, you will learn what AdBlue is, what properties it has and how it affects the combustion process in diesel engines.

 

 

AdBlue – what is it?

 

At the beginning, let’s deny the false opinion that AdBlue is an additive added to fuel. AdBlue is a urea solution (contains 32.5% of this substance and 67.5% of water), which in modern diesel engines is designed to reduce the content of environmentally harmful nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases. The big advantage of using AdBlue is the low operating cost compared to the failure costs of the Selective Catalytic Reduction system. AdBlue is used in new diesel engines installed in both passenger cars and trucks.

 

 

AdBlue properties

 

AdBlue is a safe fluid, it is not flammable or explosive, and it does not have any health-hazardous properties. However, it should be borne in mind that it promotes corrosion, which is why AdBlue pumps are made of rust-resistant materials. When filling the tank, it is worth using a funnel, because without it you can easily splash the upholstery around the filler port.

AdBlue is also quite temperature-sensitive due to its high water content.

 

At -11 degrees Celsius, AdBlue starts to freeze, which poses a danger to the injection system, as freezing crystals clog it. A solution that to some extent reduces this problem are heaters, installed by vehicle manufacturers in AdBlue tanks.

Above 25 degrees Celsius, ammonia begins to decompose. As a result, the fluid has different properties, which may translate into a disturbed process of reducing nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas.

How does AdBlue work?

As a result of dosing AdBlue into the exhaust system, a chemical reaction takes place, which consists in reducing the harmful nitrogen oxides NOx to nitrogen and water vapor. The AdBlue pump injects fluid into the exhaust stream upstream of the catalyst. There, however, under the influence of high temperature, it is broken down into ammonia and carbon dioxide.

The ammonia formed in this way reacts with nitrogen oxides, leading to their reduction. Ultimately, it allows the emission of nitrogen oxides to be reduced by up to 90%.

 

How much does AdBlue cost?

Until recently, the cost of AdBlue per liter was around PLN 2-4. Unfortunately, price increases did not spare this product, so today the costs have increased to about PLN 8-12 per liter. AdBlue is available in containers of various capacities – of course, the larger the capacity, the cheaper you will pay per liter.

At this point, it is also worth mentioning that when choosing, there is no need to take into account, for example, preferences towards a given manufacturer, because the composition of AdBlue is exactly the same in each case. First of all, make sure that the fluid complies with the ISO 22241 standard.

 

AdBlue – efficiency

Despite the fact that AdBlue prices have increased recently, they still do not significantly increase the costs of vehicle operation. AdBlue consumption is about 5% of the fuel consumed. The correct consumption for each vehicle will of course depend on the fuel consumption level, but also on the driving style. Please note that the AdBlue tank cannot be completely emptied. The on-board computer will inform you about its low level.

 

AdBlue in the emission reduction standards

From 2014, the use of AdBlue is mandatory in all trucks. Since then, trucks of this type must be fitted with a Catalytic Reduction System and meet the Euro 6 exhaust emission standard. In smaller cars, there is no such obligation so far, but more and more manufacturers decide to use AdBlue technology in their models.

 

What are the benefits of using AdBlue?

The main benefit of using AdBlue in diesel vehicles is, above all, the lower emission of harmful nitrogen oxides to the atmosphere. Thus, cars using this technology are able to meet European emission standards, which translates into lower road tolls in Europe.

The benefits of using AdBlue are also noticeable in the very use of the vehicle. Thanks to the use of this technology, diesel consumption can be reduced by up to 5%. In addition, the exhaust systems in cars and AdBlue show a lower failure rate.


How does the AdBlue pump work?

AdBlue is dosed to the exhaust system, specifically the injectors or metering units in the catalytic converter, by means of the AdBlue pump. These devices must show a very high corrosion resistance due to the highly corrosive properties of the fluid.

AdBlue dosing can begin only after the required temperature in the exhaust system has been reached. Because it is under its influence that ammonia begins to be released from the solution, which is necessary for the reaction to reduce nitrogen oxides to take place.

You will find high-quality Ad Blue truck pumps that meet all your requirements and ensure proper operation at Arcoore. Each pump is carefully checked for quality before shipment, and due to the list of OEM numbers on the page of each product, you can easily choose an AdBlue pump compatible with the exhaust system in your vehicle.

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