AdBlue FAQs
What is AdBlue?
AdBlue is a solution of urea in 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 into the hot exhaust manifold where the urea solution breaks-down into Ammonia and reacts with 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 EURO4 or EURO5 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 just 5 EURO4 vehicles will need about 1,000 litres per month. 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.
The consumption of AdBlue is 3-4 percent that of fuel consumption for a Euro 4 engine, and 5-7 percent for a Euro 5 engine, depending on driving, load and road conditions. AdBlue tanks are available in a variety of sizes depending on vehicle and need. With a Euro 4 engine, 40 litres of AdBlue will last as long as 1000 litres of diesel fuel.
With a 125 litre tank, you can cover no less than 10,000 km before it is time to fill up with AdBlue.
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 2008. 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 DIN70070 and CEFIC standards.
How much will BlueCat cost?
AdBlue is made from urea, which is energy intensive to produce so production costs vary with fuel costs. 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?
Prices have taken a lead from Germany and the price has varied between 36p, 43p and 65ppl depending on whether AdBlue is delivered in either bulk, IBCs or 200 litre barrels. The price may rise or fall depending on energy prices, delivery location and, for product packaged in exchangeable IBC's, 200 litre drums, additional packaging and delivery premiums may apply.
We are offering a limited number of fixed price deals on higher purchase quantities will and we can discuss the availability of these with you should you wish. Fill in our Contact Form
How much will BlueCat save?
The combination of 5% less fuel consumption and cleaner emissions costs you less... between ?800-900 per truck per year less even after you've paid for the AdBlue and as diesel prices rise so do the savings.
Read More in Our News Article on AdBlue Savings
How much would you save in your own fleet? Download our BlueCat AdBlue Ready-Reckoner Savings Calculator Spreadsheet here [Excel File]
How Pure is AdBlue?
The DIN70070 standard prescribes the maximum tolerances for purity as follows
Urea 31.8 ? 33.2 % by weight
Alkalinity as NH3 max. 0.2 % by weight
Biuret max. 0.3 %
Insolubles max. 20 mg/kg
Formaldehyde max. 5 mg/kg
Phosphate (PO4 )* max. 0.5 mg/kg
Aluminium max. 0.5 mg/kg
Calcium* max. 0.5 mg/kg
Iron* max. 0.5 mg/kg
Copper* max. 0.2 mg/kg
Zinc* max. 0.2 mg/kg
Chromium* max. 0.2 mg/kg
Nickel* max. 0.2 mg/kg
Magnesium* max. 0.5 mg/kg
Sodium* max. 0.5 mg/kg
Potassium* max. 0.5 mg/kg
Density at 20?C 1087.0 - 1092.0 kg/m3
Refractive index at 20?C 1.3814 - 1.3843 (-)
What equipment will I need?
Most operators will dispense AdBlue from a 1000 litre IBC container or from a 5000 litre storage tank in their yard, which is topped-up on a monthly basis.
Learn more about BlueCat supplied in Containers
Learn more about BlueCat supplied in Bulk
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.
Learn more about BlueCat dispensing options
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. Learn more
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.
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 but not at typical 5% additions.
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.
Click here to download our Material Safety Data Sheet for more information.
Click here to download our COSHH sheet for more information.
Click here to download our Storage Guidance for more information.
