One European fleet is using AdBlue (urea) with good success
As our industry moves toward the 2010 EPA diesel engine emissions deadline, fleets are bracing to see how the new engine technology will affect their operations. North American heavy-duty diesel engine makers will be employing either selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or further “enhanced” or “aggressive” exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). Since the first generation of EGR is being used in 2007 on-highway heavy-duty diesel engines here already, the fleets that own those vehicles may have some idea of what to expect as that technology is tweaked to lower NOx and particulate levels to meet the 2010 standard. But many North American fleets know very little about SCR technology or urea.
In Europe, however, urea (or AdBlue as it is called there) is already being used. The distribution of the urea solution to end-users is handled through a mix of closed fleet depots and public fuel stations or truckstops.
During a recent visit to a European fleet that has firsthand experience with AdBlue, we talked with Oskar Berger, the owner of LKW Augustin Logistics & Transport Co. in Strasswalchen, Austria. He told us that AdBlue is used in the fleet’s 910 on-highway trucks equipped with engines that meet the Euro 05 emission regulations. When asked about challenges related to AdBlue and fleet vehicles, Berger said that performance before and after the addition of AdBlue has been basically the same or slightly better. In fact, he stated that AdBlue has reduced fuel consumption.
The fleet adds 85 liters of AdBlue to each 1,300 liters of diesel fuel. To ensure that the driver never runs out of the onboard supply of urea, the fleet has installed monitors in the cab. Berger noted that it takes about half an hour to fill the AdBlue dispenser onboard a fleet truck.
As for maintenance of engines that are using AdBlue, Berger said there have been only minor valve problems, and some seal leaks due primarily to the acidity of urea. The acidity of the substance also means that technicians need to wear gloves when handling AdBlue. He added that training for technicians was minimal since there was not much to learn.
“At the beginning of the process, there were some concerns about the availability of AdBlue,” noted Berger. He added that it took between six to nine months before supply met the demand and as more fleets have been buying it the price has gone down. As for storage of AdBlue on fleet property, Berger noted that turnover is so high the fleet does not need to worry about degradation. In addition, they heat the storage tanks in winter so the product doesn’t freeze.
