As restrictions are lifted across most states and with warm weather upon us, it is important for truck drivers to consider proper management of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) used in most diesel-powered trucks. Jeffrey Harmening of the American Petroleum Institute fills us in on the dos and don’ts of proper DEF handling and management.
MWS: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO ENSURE PROPER PRACTICES WHEN HANDLING AND STORING DEF IN WARM SUMMER MONTHS?
HARMENING: DEF is made from a mixture of technically pure urea and purified water and must be handled and stored properly to preserve its quality. Handling and storing DEF requires special care to protect it from high temperatures that can decrease its useful life. Now with the need for added safety in public places, dispensing DEF at service stations will require extra care.
We want to be sure that truck drivers and people working in shops are safe, so the American Petroleum Institute (API) developed tips for drivers on the road and for shop owners to help them purchase high-quality DEF in a safe manner and to handle and store it so as to protect it during warm weather months.
MWS: WHAT ARE TIPS YOU CAN SHARE FOR DRIVERS PURCHASING DEF AT A SERVICE STATION?
HARMENING: On the road, one of the main challenges for drivers is knowing the actual brand of DEF they are sold. While regulations in many states require identifying the manufacturer and brand on receipts, some locations do not include it. API recommends purchasing DEF that is clearly identified at the fill-up location.
In addition, drivers accustomed to purchasing DEF in containers should look at the expiration date if it’s printed on the bottle and be sure to use it before this date as the product has a limited shelf life. If an expiration date is not present, look at the traceability code for a date. This date is usually equivalent to the packaging date. As a last resort, ask for the most recently delivered DEF products. Storage conditions also have an impact on its quality. DEF can be expected to have a minimum shelf life of 12 months or even longer in optimum conditions.
MWS: WHAT SHOULD OPERATORS CONSIDER WHEN STORING DEF IN A VEHICLE?
HARMENING: API recommends that you don’t store DEF for too long in a truck, especially if the storage area in the vehicle is routinely hotter than the recommended storage temperatures displayed on the label. DEF stored at 86 degrees and above will only last about six months. Exposure to direct sunlight may also decrease the DEF life.
MWS: ANY TIPS FOR THOSE PURCHASING DEF FOR SHOP USE?
HARMENING: API has found that the biggest misconception by fleet managers is the belief that if the urea concentration of their DEF is on spec, then the DEF meets the required quality. While the concentration is very important, there are many other important quality characteristics built into the ISO 22241 specification in regard to DEF.
Fleet managers should ensure that their supplier provides a Certificate of Analysis (or Quality) with every DEF shipment. Purchasing API-licensed DEF is the best way to ensure DEF meets the rigorous requirements of the specification, because these products are not only tested before they are released to the marketplace, but they are also subject to testing in API’s Aftermarket Audit Program. Fleet managers and drivers can always check to see if DEF is licensed by visiting API’s real-time directory of licensees on the API website.
MWS: WHAT ARE BEST PRACTICES FOR MANAGING DEF IN SHOPS?
HARMENING: The handling, storage, and dispensing of DEF is very important so that off-spec DEF doesn’t reach the marketplace. Temperature at the point of storage or sale can harm the shelf life of DEF sold in containers. Make sure the stock is rotated to use the oldest product first. Additionally, storing in temperatures above 86 degree limits the shelf life of the DEF over time. Additional considerations include:
- Use DEF-dedicated bulk storage tanks. Don’t switch products in the bulk tank without rinsing the tank with distilled or de-ionized water or on-spec DEF.
- Use a closed loop system when transferring DEF from a drum or bulk tank so contaminants don’t get into the DEF. This is particularly important in a shop or construction site that has dust or dirt in the air.
- Use dedicated equipment for dispensing DEF.
- Anything used for dispensing DEF should be cleaned with distilled or de-ionized water and followed by a DEF rinse.
For shops and drivers, it’s important to know what you put into your DEF tank. The quality of the DEF going into your vehicle is as important as the quality of the engine oils or fuels used in your vehicles. Use of API-licensed Diesel Exhaust Fluid will ensure that the DEF meets the high standards required by engine and vehicle manufacturers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Jeff Harmening currently manages the Engine Oil Licensing Certification System program, DEF Certification Program, and the Motor Oil Management Program at the American Petroleum Institute (API). He also oversees the Aftermarket Audit Program that purchases and tests thousands of DEF and engine oil samples globally for conformance with required specifications. Find out more, visit www.api.org.
