®

September 24, 2019 | Doubletree Downtown, Chattanooga, TN

Benefits of Using High Quality DEF

DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID

Southeast Diesel Collaborative

• Also referred to as AUS 32, AdBlue®, or ARLA 32

• Solution of 32.5% technically pure urea in pure water

• Urea free of aldehydes or other substances

• Fertilizer-grade urea will not produce high-quality DEF!!!

• Water produced by distillation, deionization, RO, etc.

• Use of tap water will not produce high-quality DEF!!!

• Most municipal sources will contain contaminants

detrimental to SCR

• Why 32.5%?

• Low freeze point

• Ingredients freeze/thaw in unison

DEF – The Basics

ISO 22241, Diesel engines - NOx reduction agent AUS 32

• Part 1 – Quality requirements (2019)

• Part 2 – Test methods (2019)

• Part 3 – Handling, transportation and storage (2017)

• Parts 4 & 5 – Refilling interfaces (2019)

ISO 18611, Ships and marine technology – Marine NOx reduction agent AUS 40 (2014)

Each standard addresses product quality from manufacturer to point of install

DEF Performance Requirements

Quality Characteristic Test Method

Urea Content ISO 22241-2 Annex B / C

Refractive Index at 20˚C ISO 22241-2 Annex C

Alkalinity as NH3 ISO 22241-2 Annex D

Biuret ISO 22241-2 Annex E

Aldehydes ISO 22241-2 Annex F

Insoluble Matter ISO 22241-2 Annex G

Phosphate (PO4) ISO 22241-2 Annex H / I

Calcium ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Iron ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Copper ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Zinc ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Chromium ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Nickel ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Aluminum ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Magnesium ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Sodium ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Potassium ISO 22241-2 Annex I

Properties Critical to DEF Quality

• Catalyst poisoning/blockage

• Biuret and Phosphates

• Iron, Copper, Zinc, Chromium, Nickel, Aluminum, Sodium,

Potassium

• Deposits

• Aldehydes

• Injector/filter clogging

• Insoluble Matter, Calcium, Magnesium

• Corrosion

• Alkalinity

Quality is not just Urea Content!

• SCR system failure can lead to many problems

• Engine power-down

• Expensive repairs

• Vehicle downtime

• Warranty voids

• Poorly performing SCR may also get you in trouble

• Emissions testing performed in some states

• Weigh station inspections

• Potential fines and penalties

Consequences can be Severe

• Recommendations on shelf life found in ISO 22241-3

• Defines shelf life as a function of ambient storage temperature

• Applies to both transportation and storage of DEF

• Standard does not address life in the vehicle directly

• Alkalinity increases over time due to evaporation

• Other factors can have an effect on shelf life

• Initial Alkalinity

• Vented storage containers can decrease shelf life

DEF Shelf Life is also Critical

DEF Shelf Life Recommendations

Constant Ambient Storage

TemperatureShelf Life, months

≤ 50°F (10°C) 36

≤ 77°F (25°C) 18

≤ 86°F (30°C)* 12

≤ 95°F (35°C) 6

> 95°F (35°C) test before use

• Tips for minimizing shelf life issues

• Select storage area carefully

• Ambient temperature should be as low as practically achievable

• Dry, well-ventilated area recommended

• Direct sunlight should be avoided

• Rotate stock (first in – first out)

• Check the date codes on your packaging, if available

• Closed-loop systems recommended for bulk formats

More on Shelf Life

• Any OEM recommendations should take precedent

• Otherwise, should use ISO shelf life as a guideline for best practices

• May need customer/driver input

• When the last fill took place (service records?)

• Vehicle storage temperature conditions since last fill

• Source

• When in doubt, change DEF out

Life in the Vehicle

• Over-exposure to heat

• May notice strong ammonia smell

• Could indicate presence of biuret in DEF

• DEF freezes at 11°F (-12°C)

• ~7% expansion may occur

• Tank heaters allow DEF to quickly thaw

• Thrown DEF codes

• On-board diagnostics (OBD) may vary by OEM

• Follow OEM Recommendations or change out DEF

Other Considerations

• Extremely important

• ISO 22241-3 provides examples of compatible and non-compatible

materials

• DEF is corrosive to some materials

• Copper, brass, aluminum, carbon steel and others

• Corrosion may contaminate the DEF

• Possible equipment failures on the vehicle

Materials Compatibility

• NO ADDITIVES!

• “Closed systems” are recommended

• Keeps out dust and other impurities

• Prevents evaporation of the DEF

• Minimizes formation of biuret

• Dedicated equipment is a great safeguard

• Prevents contamination due to presence of other chemicals

• Minimizes time spent preparing equipment to handle DEF

• Avoid using funnels, pitchers, etc.

• Dispense directly to vehicle

• Hold your supplier to the same standards

Preserving the Quality of your DEF

• Non-dedicated equipment permissible for first use providing:

• All equipment in contact with DEF is thoroughly cleaned

• Cleaning process should take into account last three stored

chemicals

• Cleaned with distilled water, final rinse with DEF

• First stored batch passes all quality characteristic tests

• Certificate of Cleanliness can be provided for receptacle

Preserving the Quality of your DEF

• Consider a robust retain program

• Specification recommends any retains taken in the distribution

chain be kept safe for at least the shelf life correlating to the

storage conditions

• Testing

• Field testing solutions are available

• Commercial labs offer full-spectrum testing

• Dispose and replace

• Contact supplier for recommendations

Mitigating Low Quality DEF

Primary goal: To ensure that API-certified diesel exhaust fluids meet industry-

established performance requirements and are easily recognized by consumers.

Certify brands of diesel exhaust fluid that meet the performance requirements

developed by diesel engine manufacturers.

License the use of API quality marks on diesel exhaust fluid meeting the

performance requirements in ISO 22241 or ISO 18611.

Monitor DEF quality through Aftermarket Audit Program (AMAP) by sampling and

testing certified products purchased in marketplace.

API’s Role – DEF Certification Program

API DEF Certification Mark

Registered trademark issued to marketers only if

diesel exhaust fluid satisfies requirements of most

recent and applicable edition of ISO 22241-1.

API Marine DEF Certification

MarkRegistered trademark issued to marketers only if

diesel exhaust fluid satisfies requirements of most

recent and applicable edition of ISO 18611-1.

Visit www.apidef.org for:

• API’s DEF Certification Program

Overview

• Online Application System

• Real-time Directory of Licensees

• Links to DiscoverDEF Locator

Licensing Program Website

Ensures availability of diesel exhaust fluid meeting industry-recognized standards.

Identifies quality products for consumers. Real-time directory lists which products meet diesel

engine manufacturer recommendations.

Monitors API-certified products in marketplace and provides independent test results to

licensed marketers.

Enforces API certification requirements and takes action against companies not in

conformance or falsely claiming certification

Supports this industry’s commitment to reduce NOx emissions.

Benefits of API Certification Program

API in OEM Recommendations: Heavy-duty Sector

PACCAR

KW Emissions System (Shown)

Materials reproduced by permission of PACCAR Parts

API in OEM Recommendations:

Light Duty - Commercial Sector

Ford Motor Company – 2017 Model Year

F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550 (Shown)

F-650, F-750

Transit

Materials reproduced by permission of Ford Motor Company

API in OEM Recommendations:

Agricultural Sector

Case IH

New Holland

Materials reproduced by permission of CNH Industrial America LLC.

API in OEM Recommendations: Construction Sector

Case Construction

Materials reproduced by permission of CNH Industrial America LLC.

Application and Renewal RequirementsApplication required for each individual brand to be licensed and must include:

• Supply points where the product will be manufactured.

• Typical values of all required quality characteristics of the product.

• Certificate(s) of Analysis (CoA) demonstrating that the product has been

analyzed and meets specification tolerances.

• Traceability Code formatting for packaged products.

• License agreement must be accepted by applicant.

Annual renewal requires upload of CoAs demonstrating that batches are tested before

shipment

First License issued March 2009.

92 API-certified diesel exhaust fluid marketers:

• 67 in the U.S./Puerto Rico

• 12 in Canada

• 6 in Mexico

• 4 in Taiwan/China

• 3 in South America (Argentina and Chile)

173 licensed DEF brands.

8 licensed Marine-DEF brands.

Program at a Glance

Primary Goal: Test as many API-licensed products as possible from the

broadest geographic area possible.

Packaged and Bulk samples drawn from marketplace annually.

Samples purchased at randomly-selected consumer points.

Bulk shipment paperwork may be reviewed.

Samples blind-coded and shipped to separate testing lab.

Chain of custody maintained throughout process.

DEF Aftermarket Audit Program

Test Results evaluated against ISO limits, expanded for Reproducibility.

Retest ordered for any non-conforming property.

Referee test ordered from separate laboratory to confirm any failing test/retest results.

Technically-reviewed by an independent consultant and assessed for conformance.

Packaging examined for conformance to trademark specifications and labeling

requirements.

Audit Evaluation Methods

Licensees notified of results via online audit system

Retailer may be notified of pass / fail

Emphasis placed on confidentiality of test results!

Enforcement action taken as needed:

• Corrective Action to API satisfaction

• Cancellation of Product or License

• Recall of product

• Legal Action

Reporting and Enforcement

• Samples collected mainly in U.S. and Canada

• 586 fully analyzed to date (601 total samples)

• 257 bulk products

• 329 packaged products

• To date, Overall conformance rate is > 96%

• ~5% of bulks failed to meet specification

• ~3% of packaged samples failed to meet specification

• Packaged samples outperformed bulk in most recent cycle

• Finding still considered preliminary until cycle is complete

Audit Summary – 2018 cycle

Trends – Noncompliance Types

Note: A single sample may exhibit more that one failure

Quality Characteristic 2017 2018Sodium - ISO 22241-2 Annex I 22 4

Alkalinity - ISO 22241-2 Annex D 8 3

Biuret - ISO 22241-2 Annex E 2 2

Calcium - ISO 22241-2 Annex I 2 5

Copper - ISO 22241-2 Annex I 2 6

Magnesium - ISO 22241-2 Annex I 2 0

Potassium - ISO 22241-2 Annex I 2 0

Refractive index @ 20C - ISO 22241-2_Annex C 2 1

Urea content by RI - ISO 22241-2_Annex B or C 2 1

Zinc - ISO 22241-2 Annex I 1 3

Manufacturing improvements• Raw material inputs replaced• New DI systems installed• Defective sensors replaced • Filters added or replaced

QA/QC procedural improvements• Rinsing procedures improved for tanks/filling equipment• Increased test frequencies/Independent laboratory analysis• Increased retain frequency / retention time• Addition of auto-sampling equipment• Employee training

Customer education• Transportation, handling and storage • Shelf life considerations

Audits Result in Systems Improvements

Cases of infringement are taken very seriously by API

• Illegal use of the Certification Marks

• False claims of API certification

API issues list of demands

• Label changes / Destruction of existing labels

• Immediate product recall

• Posting of public notice to customers

Failure to meet demands and resolve to API satisfaction results in

involvement of general counsel

Handling of Violations

DEF has been added to NCWM Handbook 130.

• Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale

• Uniform Engine Fuels and Automotive Lubricants Regulation

• Effective date of January 1, 2016

Regulations are in place to:

• Define DEF for regulators and W&M inspectors

• Require suppliers and carriers of bulk product to provide customers with

DEF origin information:

• Manufacturer and Brand name, trade name or trademark

• Statement of conformance to latest ISO 22241 Standard

• Must display on invoice, bill of lading, or other shipping document

• Retailers may be asked to produce this info during W&M visit

Important News for DEF Supply Chain

Regulations also impact packagers:

• Requires package labels to include mandatory information

• Statement of conformance to ISO 22241

• “It is recommended to store DEF between -5°C to 30°C (23°F to

86°F)”

Regulations also impact retailers:

• Requires dispensers to be labelled

• Should state, “for operation of selective catalytic reduction (SCR)

converters in motor vehicles with diesel engines”

• Front panel

Check with your state regulators or inspectors!

More on NIST Handbook 130

• Twenty-eight (28) states and DC today have adopted these requirements

• Four (4) states have adopted similar legislation

• Expect other states to adopt

• Enforcement may vary by state

• Check with your regulators

More on NIST Handbook 130

Regulations are in place for half of the USA

API’s Licensing Program Marks

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API Diesel Exhaust Fluid Certification Program:

www.apidef.org

Jeff Harmening

Manager – EOLCS/DEF/MOM

API

200 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Suite 1100

Washington, DC 20001

202-682-8310

harmeningj@api.org

Any Questions?