How is DEF made?

DEF is a mixture of (typically) 2/3 deionized water and 1/3 urea. It's carefully regulated by the American Petroleum Institute. Technically, urea is derived from one of the byproducts of urine. But it's synthetically made, so no cats are ever harmed in the production of the fluid.

How is DEF manufactured?

Our DEF is produced from a solution of high-purity, virgin urea. Urea is produced synthetically from ammonia and CO₂ (carbon dioxide), from which Yara's DEF is extracted directly as "hot melt" urea, which uses a different process from fertilizer grade urea.

Is DEF fluid made from pig urine?

Urea is an organic compound produced when a body metabolizes protein. (And yes, we expel it as urine.) But despite DEF earning the nickname “pig urine,” Diesel Exhaust Fluid is actually made of commercial-grade urea—synthetic ammonia and carbon.

Is DEF made from pee?

Contrary to popular myth, cow and bat urine and DEF are not a thing. The urea used in the manufacture of DEF is synthetically derived from ammonia and carbon dioxide, and urea production plants are often adjacent to other sites where ammonia is produced, such as coal and natural gas refineries.

What is the main ingredient of Def fluid?

What Is DEF Fluid Made of? Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) which is composed of 32.5 percent urea and 67.5 percent deionized water. For those who like trivia, urea is considered to be the first organic compound to be synthesized from inorganic chemicals.

Diesel Exhuast Fluid (DEF) - A Brief Introduction

Can you make def fluid?

DEF is a mixture of (typically) 2/3 deionized water and 1/3 urea. It's carefully regulated by the American Petroleum Institute. Technically, urea is derived from one of the byproducts of urine. But it's synthetically made, so no cats are ever harmed in the production of the fluid.

Can you pee in your DEF tank?

Please do not urinate in your DEF tank, the SCR system will be damaged and it will cost thousands of dollars to repair. Here at Transliquid Technologies we specialize in providing the best quality of Diesel Exhaust Fluid.

What happens if you put diesel fuel in a DEF tank?

DEF and diesel should never be mixed. Although safeguards have been designed to keep the diesel fuel separate from the DEF, it still happens: DEF is accidently put into the diesel tank or diesel into the DEF tank. When it does, it's more than just a little problem: It can lead to significant damage and costly repairs.

What kind of urine is in DEF fluid?

DEF is made from deionized water and a very pure form of urea. Yes, urea is found in urine -- quit giggling, please -- but this is a refined form of the compound and is mostly used in the agricultural industry as a component of fertilizer.

Does DEF really help the environment?

How Does DEF Use Affect the Environment? According to the EPA, in the decade since SCR's inception, hazardous emissions have dropped more than 40%. Over-the-road trucking and corporate or government fleet vehicles equipped with DEF tanks have had the single greatest positive effect on that number.

What happens if you put water in DEF tank?

If you put water in an EMPTY DEF tank, there will be no urea injected into the exhaust to convert to ammonia. Ammonia is an essential requirement to eliminate NOX (Oxides of Nitrogen) via the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reducer).

What is blue DEF made of?

BlueDEF is a nontoxic solution of 67.5 percent purified water and 32.5 percent ultra-pure automotive-grade urea. BlueDEF is not a fuel or fuel additive.

Is DEF flammable?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is an automotive grade of 32.5% urea mixed with 67.5% demineralized water. It's non-hazardous, non-toxic and non-flammable.

What is the shelf life of DEF fluid?

Because it doesn't include any preservatives, DEF does come with a shelf life. The good news is, it's a fairly long shelf life; DEF can usually be stored up to one year without any issues.

Is there a shortage on DEF?

Across the board, major DEF manufacturers are struggling to maintain supplies. Most of the major manufacturers have changed annual contracts to monthly spot-priced allocations. Many are reducing their DEF output to increase fertilizer production.

Can DEF freeze?

Diesel Exhaust Fluid or DEF Fluid

Whether in storage tanks or in equipment, DEF can freeze and possibly cause issues. As temperatures drop below 12°F, DEF will begin to solidify and not work as intended.

Can you pour DEF down the drain?

Bad DEF should be disposed of immediately and ethically. Do not pour down a drain or dump it outside. Check with your local government and environmental agency to learn how to properly dispose of DEF.

What can you use instead of DEF fluid?

DEF is urea or otherwise known as aqueous ammonia. Windshield washer fluid that contains ammonia will do in a pinch.

Can you run a diesel without DEF?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires vehicle manufacturers to put measures in place to ensure that vehicles cannot run without Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF).

Why does DEF fluid crystallize?

DEF crystallizes when stored for prolonged periods as the water evaporates. Do not use DEF that shows signs of crystallization and always completely use a container to avoid storing opened containers. Refill DEF only when the level indicator reaches 1/2 or less.

Why does diesel get water in it?

Diesel engines produce water when hot fuel from the injectors is returned to the fuel tank; this produces water from condensation, which settles under the fuel. Injectors produce more heat than they did 20 years ago because the performance requirements for the engines are greater than ever before.

Can I use DEF as fertilizer?

DEF is essentially 48-0-0 as a fertilizer. "32" is not urea, it's urea ammonium nitrate, which is a different thing. (If you were fertilizing something in a garden, for its proper nutrition, you'd need to add other substances to the "DEF" to create the right mixture.

When did DEF become mandatory in USA?

For years, truck drivers and fleet managers didn't have to worry about smog-proof equipment on their vehicles. Come 2008, the EPA mandated that all three-quarter-ton and larger trucks had diesel particulate filters installed. Then, the EPA tightened the restrictions even more in 2010.