What is AdBlue?
AdBlue is a solution of urea in demineralised water (32,5%) used as an fluid in the latest generation of diesel-powered Euro4 & Euro5 trucks. It is a common misconception that AdBlue is a fuel additive.

AdBlue is contained in a separate tank to the fuel and is sprayed into the exhaust gases. Therefore, it is never mixed or added to the fuel. AdBlue is not a fuel additive. It is an exhaust treatment chemical.

How does AdBlue Work?
AdBlue is stored in a separate tank on the vehicle. It is precisely metered and sprayed into the hot exhaust manifold where the urea solution breaks-down into ammonia and reacts with the exhaust gasses in the presence of a catalytic converter.

The oxides of nitrogen formed at combustion are converted into harmless elementary nitrogen and water. This method is called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). The usage of AdBlue lies at 3 to 5% of the diesel usage.

How will AdBlue affect me?
All trucks & buses registered after October 2006 must be at least Euro4 compliant and most will require AdBlue. It will not normally be possible to retrofit AdBlue equipment to existing vehicles so only new vehicles will be affected.

In practical terms a fleet with 6 Euro4 vehicles will need about 1,000 litres per month of AdBlue. As vehicles will typically be fitted with a 70 or 90 litre AdBlue tank, most vehicles will need to be topped-up with AdBlue every week-to-ten-days.

How much will I need?
On Euro4 vehicles, AdBlue consumption will be about 3-5% of diesel use, so a typical truck will use between 1500-2500 litres of AdBlue per year depending on engine size and mileage. This is about 30-40 litres per week per truck.

For a Euro 5 engine the AdBlue consumption will be higher than Euro4 at 5-6% of diesel, depending on driving, load and road conditions.

What are the relevant EU Regulations?
European Union emission regulations for new light duty vehicles (cars and light commercial vehicles) are specified in the Directive 70/220/EEC. This basis Directive was amended a number of times, some of the most important amendments including:

• Euro 1 standards (also known as EC 93): Directives 91/441/EEC (passenger cars only) or 93/59/EEC (passenger cars and light trucks)
• Euro 2 standards (EC 96): Directives 94/12/EC or 96/69/EC
• Euro 3/4 standards (2000/2005): Directive 98/69/EC, further amendments in 2002/80/EC
• Euro 5 standards (2008): Proposed regulation [COM(2005) 683] published in December 2005

EURO III is the emission standard for vehicles introduced in the EU in 1999. It limits diesel car emissions to 0.5 g/km of NOx and 0.05 g/km of Particulate Matter (PM), petrol cars to 0.15 g/km NOx and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to 5 g/kWh of NOx and 0.1 g/kWh of PM.

EURO IV is the emission standard for vehicles that will be introduced in the EU in 2005 and come into force in 2006. It limits diesel car emissions to 0.25 g/km of NOx and 0.025 g/km of Particulate Matter (PM), petrol cars to 0.08 g/km NOx and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to 3.5 g/kWh of NOx and 0.02 g/kWh of PM. It will be replaced by Euro V, to be introduced in 2008 and coming into force in 2009.

EURO V is a European emission standard for vehicles that will be introduced in the EU in 2009. It proposes to limit diesel car emissions to 0.2 g/km of NOx and 0.005 g/km of Particulate Matter (PM), petrol cars to 0.06 g/km NOx and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) to 2.0 g/kWh of NOx and 0.02 g/kWh of PM.

What is BlueCat?
BlueCat is our brand of AdBlue solution. BlueCat AdBlue is officially licenced by the VDA and fully complies with the official ISO22241 and CEFIC standards.

How much will BlueCat cost?
AdBlue is made from urea, which in turn is produced from natural gas, so production costs vary with world gas prices. So, just as it's currently difficult to predict DERV prices more than a few weeks ahead, then AdBlue prices will vary too according to the season.

The price may rise or fall depending on energy prices, delivery location and, for product packaged in exchangeable IBC's, 210 litre drums, additional packaging and delivery premiums may apply.

What equipment will I need?
Most operators will dispense AdBlue from a 1000 litre IBC container or from a 5000 litre bulk storage tank in their yard.

When using IBCs, a special AdBlue-grade pump and bund will be required and an additional IBC may be required so that when the first IBC runs-out, a second is available straight-away. You must avoid aluminium, brass or mild-steel fittings, even if nickel plated. Stainless Steel and plastic equipment with special seals must be used in all AdBlue installations.

What happens if I run out on the road?
Your vehicle's tank will normally contain up to two weeks supply of AdBlue and, provided the tank is topped up at the depot weekly, drivers will not normally need to fill-up on the road.

Drivers may want to carry a small 10 litre plastic container of AdBlue on the vehicle in case they run-out... enough for about 400 miles of driving.

For trucks registered after October 2007 an on-board-diagnostics vehicle sensor will ensure that genuine AdBlue is present in the special tank. If AdBlue runs-dry, the Engine Management System will progressively and gradually reduce engine power by 50% to a limp-home mode over the space of 100 Km distance.

Can I use AdBlue with BioDiesel?
Biodiesel and SCR are compatible even if 100% Biodiesel is used. Of course all special material demands on the engine running with biodiesel have to be considered for the complete SCR-equipment on the truck. That means that the truck operator needs a confirmation of the truck producer for the use of biodiesel on a certain truck.

When using biodiesel the exhaust gas contains more NOx and the AdBlue consumption of the SCR equipment will be slightly higher if used at 100% biodiesel.

Shipping to the US
US Customs require any importation paperwork to be marked with FID #413843.

Is AdBlue corrosive?
AdBlue is non-toxic and poses no serious risk to humans, animals or the environment if properly handled.

The product is slightly alkaline with a pH of approx 9.0 so should not be kept in contact with aluminium, brass, mild steel. Stainless Steel and Plastic tanks and fittings are recommended. Prolonged skin contact may cause irritation. CEFIC guidance available at www.petrochemistry.net [Automotive Grade Urea Group] provides the latest guidance.