AdBlue group launches care campaign for truck and bus operators 18 February 2011

Vehicle operators need to take precautions when buying and handling AdBlue for truck and bus engines using SCR (selective catalytic reduction), if they want to avoid costly contamination problems.

That's the warning from AdBlue producers and the big seven European truck and bus manufacturers, endorsed by ACEA (the European Automobile Manufacturers Association), which have today (18 February 2011) launched a collaborative initiative to solve what they see as a growing concern.

Their campaign of do's and don'ts is aimed squarely at helping operators, they say, to avoid some of the reported costly problems with AdBlue usage – most recently around buying inferior quality AdBlue and failing to observe correct handling procedures during storage and filling.

Manfred Schuckert, senior manager at Daimler, speaking on behalf of the truck and bus OEMs, says it's all about protecting operators' investments in cleaner vehicles, but also complying with existing legislation.

"We are now seeing more issues, because of AdBlue contamination, which can damage the dosing system and the catalyst," explains Schuckert.

"AdBlue is vaporised in the SCR system, so contaminants end up there and… Sensors cannot detect contamination. That only happens once the system has been damaged," he warns.

And with upcoming Euro 6 engines forcing the adoption of EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), SCR and active DPF (diesel particulate filter) technologies, the partnership makes the point that AdBlue usage will increase – meaning an even greater requirement to get this right.

Why is it happening? Speaking for the AdBlue suppliers, Eystein Leren, technical manager at Yara International, advises that, despite strict AdBlue licensing, "inferior AdBlue has been found in the market".

Leren suggests two mina reasons: incorrect handling at operator sites and buyers purchasing sub-standard quality. And he believes that although the AdBlue standard (ISO 22241) ensures quality of licensed product at the suppliers, its guidance is aimed at producers not users.

"Avoiding problems can be achieved easily," insists Leren, "if operators of trucks and buses follow our do's and don'ts guidelines."

The group's advice:

Only buy AdBlue from licensed suppliers.
Only fill form proper sources.
Only use dedicated clean AdBlue equipment.
Do not mix fuel and AdBlue.
Do not use fuel equipment for AdBlue or vice versa
Do not use random containers, pumps or pipes for AdBlue.
Do not use random containers, pumps or pipes for AdBlue.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Websites
http://www.findadblue.com/adblue/add-care/

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