DEF, whether in storage tanks or equipment, can freeze and cause problems. When temperatures dip below 12F, DEF begins to crystallize and ceases to function properly.
What is the freezing point of diesel exhaust fluid?
When diesel fuel is exposed to freezing temperatures, it may gel, but DEF can freeze solid. Even the greatest diesel exhaust fluid can freeze, so it’s crucial to understand what this means for your DEF system and how to keep it safe. In the winter, frozen DEF can completely halt your trucking business, so make sure your fluid is warm and ready to pump all year.
Average Freezing Point
The freezing point of DEF is typically 12 degrees Fahrenheit (-11 degrees Celsius). Because of the area in the fluid, this is lower than the freezing point of water. DEF’s water does not separate as it freezes, unlike several other mixes and solutions. This means that freezing and thawing small amounts of frozen DEF in a large container will have little effect on the fluid’s concentration or performance. What difference does it make if it freezes or not? The ability to pump DEF into your truck’s selective catalytic reduction, or SCR, system may be hampered by frozen DEF. It can also cause cracks in or damage to your truck’s or property’s holding tanks.
Lack of Flow Due to Freezing
The last thing you want to deal with when you turn on your DEF pump or pick up a container to dump DEF into your truck’s SCR system is a block of ice. Any ice in your truck will melt as it warms up.
DEF is currently in the truck-mounted reservoir, however if your DEF is frozen solid, you won’t be able to fill it up for a long haul.
This makes it impossible to transport DEF from a container to your truck. Trying to heat the fluid too quickly can lead it to become extremely hot, putting the region at risk. Due to pollution concerns, you can’t run your trucks without DEF, so this circumstance may prevent you from running commercial diesel vehicles in cold weather without suitable storage.
Damaged Containers Due to Expansion
Without the correct heating system, DEF containers might freeze solid and expand dangerously. Because this fluid can expand by up to 7% of its liquid volume, you should plan on keeping it liquid or leaving room for expansion in a tank.
If you’re looking for the greatest storage tank, make sure it’s made of stainless steel or HDPE plastic. These materials can assist lessen the possibility of expansion damage while also preventing damage from DEF’s mild corrosive nature.
A broken container can be quite costly. This will not only necessitate the purchase of a new container, but it may also expose your DEF to direct sunlight or toxins. This can result in decomposing urea or tainted fluid, both of which can render your SCR system inoperable. One of the most crucial tasks in safe DEF handling in cold weather is to avoid a cracked container.
What is the best way to keep def fluid from freezing?
During the winter, keeping your truck in a warm or insulated garage can help keep your DEF from freezing. Similarly, an insulated tote blanket can keep you warm.
TruckSeries has further information on your truck’s individual after-treatment system.
What temperature does adblue DEF freeze at?
One issue that may be forgotten while preparing a late-model oil burner for the winter is the proper management of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF). In chilly climates, handling and storing DEF can be difficult. DEF, which is made up of technically pure urea and purified water, freezes at 11 degrees Fahrenheit and must be stored and delivered appropriately to retain its purity.
Is it harmful for DEF to freeze?
Because of the urea, DEF has a lower freezing point than water. The freezing point of the urea combination is substantially lower, at 12F/-11C. This solution does not separate into simply urea and water. At the same time, the solution freezes and thaws at the same pace. This means that the DEF freezing does not cause the solution to become overly concentrated or diluted at any time. DEF will start to slush before freezing. Because there is no risk to the product, the urea solution can be used even if it has been frozen.
At what temperature does DEF begin to freeze?
DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is a type of diesel exhaust fluid. DEF, whether in storage tanks or equipment, can freeze and cause problems. When temperatures dip below 12F, DEF begins to crystallize and ceases to function properly.
Does DEF cause Duramax to freeze?
The improved, famous Duramax 6.6L Turbo Diesel is the most powerful Duramax ever developed, producing more horsepower and torque than any other Duramax. This tried-and-true powerplant gets the job done while being more environmentally friendly.
When compared to the 2010 model, the upgraded Duramax features the most up-to-date pollution control technology, resulting in a 63 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. GM engineers found that using a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system with Diesel Exhaust Fluid was the best approach to achieve this amazing reduction in diesel emissions (DEF).
Because it treats the vehicle’s exhaust after combustion, the SCR system is classified as an after-treatment system. The following is how it works:
- NOx emissions are broken down when ammonia, combined with exhaust gases, hits the SCR catalyst.
- During regeneration cycles, the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) catches soot and incinerates it.
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a non-flammable fluid made up of 33% ammonia-based urea and 67% purified water. DEF is a chemical that is used in diesel engine exhaust systems to reduce emissions by converting nitrogen oxide (NOx) to nitrogen and water vapor. DEF technology has a long track record in Europe, where it has been utilized for many years.
DEF is used by the SCR system at a rate of 1 to 1.25 percent of the diesel fuel used by the vehicle. A full tank of DEF gives you around 8,000 kilometers of driving range. Range will vary depending on driving circumstances because DEF is directly tied to fuel consumption.
A 5.3 gallon (about 20L) DEF tank is situated under the passenger side of the cab. The DEF tank fill point, as well as other fluids that require regular maintenance, is conveniently positioned beneath the hood. A blue cap easily distinguishes it. REMEMBER NOT TO OVERFILL THE DEF TANK.
Depending on the storage temperature, DEF has a shelf life of at least one year. It’s preferable to keep it at room temperature and away of direct sunlight. Small DEF spills can be cleaned up by absorbing the liquid with dry dirt, sand, or another non-combustible substance, then scooping it into a container for disposal. Although DEF is not classified as a hazardous waste by the federal government, please dispose of it properly. Do not pour this material or its container down the drain; instead, dispose of it in accordance with all applicable local and national rules.
When it comes to maintaining a proper DEF level, this technique eliminates the need for guesswork. An electronica onboard warning system displays a number of warnings in the Driver Information Center to assist you in maintaining proper DEF levels, as well as to inform you if the DEF quality is inadequate or if the system is malfunctioning. The electronic onboard warning system and its warning signals are described in detail in the Duramax owner’s manual supplement.
When the DEF level is about 1,500 km remaining range, the electronic onboard warning system will send a message to the driver. As the DEF tank gradually empties, additional messages that must be acknowledged inform the driver at the 500 km, LOW, and 0 km fluid ranges. For the vehicle to run properly, the fluid level in the DEF tank must be maintained. The mechanism will inform the driver if the DEF tank is let to run dry. If no fluid is added before the next vehicle start, the vehicle’s speed will be limited to around 88 km/hr, and eventually to 7 km/hr, as required by federal regulations.
To remove the car from any speed restriction, always add at least 4 L. The system resets itself after being refilled, so no service visit is required. The DEF level warning may take up to 30 seconds in park or several kilometers of driving to refresh.
The tank and DEF system are designed to freeze in cold climates because DEF freezes at around -11 degrees Celsius. Even if the DEF is frozen, the vehicle will start normally. The DEF fluid is thawed in a second tank within the DEF tank that is heated at 270-minute intervals while the engine is running. This cycle was initially 90 minutes, which caused some freezing issues with trucks that were left in cold areas for long periods of time, but the new program increases it to 270 minutes to guarantee that enough DEF is circulated to keep the truck running at peak performance. The leftover DEF in the bigger tank is heated and thawed with the help of residual heat from this internal tank. Do not overfill your DEF tank since freezing causes the fluid to expand, which can harm the tank.
Is it true that a block warmer keeps DEF from freezing?
There’s nothing that can keep DEF from freezing. It never freezes solid, but rather becomes a mush. The vehicle will run on frozen DEF, which will be thawed by a built-in heater. The EPA permits the engine to run without DEF for a brief length of time.
Will the frozen diesel defrost?
In cold temperatures, use to liquefy frozen or gelled diesel gasoline caused by wax production or ice crystals. When used as directed, Quick-Thaw will thoroughly thaw the whole fuel system in about 20 minutes. Excellent for diesel vehicles operating in colder locations, where wax crystals found in low- and ultra-low sulfur diesel fuels can cause filter blockage.
Is it possible to store DEF outside in the winter?
The Farmer’s Almanac predicts brutally cold weather in the eastern sections of the Rockies and east to the Appalachians in the winter of 20192020. Temperatures in the Northeast are expected to be bitterly chilly. There is usually enough of annual winter preparation for towns, public utilities, landscapers, and others involved in outside labor and snow removal.
The appropriate management of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), which is utilized in many diesel-powered trucks and other pieces of equipment, is one issue that may be missed. In the cold, vehicles filling up on the road and retailers may find it difficult to handle and store DEF. DEF, which is made up of technically pure urea and purified water, freezes at 11 degrees Fahrenheit and must be carefully stored and administered to retain its purity.
DEF, like water, expands by up to 7% when frozen, causing damage to storage tanks that are full or almost full when it freezes. It’s a good idea to keep a tank that could freeze if it’s not completely full. If DEF in a vehicle freezes, do not add any additives to make it melt. DEF must remain pure in order to function properly. The car will start without issue, and the DEF tank features a heating element that allows the DEF to be immediately thawed. Don’t panic; on-spec DEF is specially engineered to allow the fluid to thaw at the correct concentration, ensuring that your vehicle continues to operate smoothly.
There are other factors to consider when acquiring, storing, and handling DEF besides the cold. Drivers who are used to buying DEF in bottles should check the expiration date on the bottle and utilize it before that date, as the substance has a short shelf life. In the absence of a date, request the most recently delivered DEF goods. Check the bottle for the American Petroleum Institute (API) certification mark as well. Drivers should use API-licensed DEF, according to many diesel engine manufacturers.
DEF quality is affected by storage conditions. In ideal settings, DEF should have a shelf life of at least 12 months, if not longer. The recommended storage temperatures can be seen on the label. API does not advocate storing DEF in automobiles for an extended period of time after purchase, especially if the vehicle’s storage place is regularly exposed to high heat or sunlight.
Is it true that AdBlue freezes in the winter?
AdBlue freezes at -11,5C, but after thawing, it reverts to its former state and can be used. Because AdBlue has a freezing point of -11,5C, additional heating inside the supply tank is required in locations with wintry sub-zero temperatures.