THE PROBLEM
Purchasing DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) off the shelf is the entry point for most DEF buyers. It’s perfect for quick fill ups or as a spare in event one finds themselves stranded on the side of the road because they forgot to fill up at the last stop. Unlike bulk DEF, it has a batch number assigned, and the branding is clearly marked on the box. It’s typically your safest bet when you’re not comfortable with the on-island options.
So why hasn’t on island dispensing become the norm for DEF?
Lack of trust is the biggest reason because consumers have no assurance the DEF on the island is OK to use:
- It’s not branded
- It doesn’t have a batch number (you can reference)
- It’s not marked API certified
- You have no idea if it’s going to cause issues down the road.
This leaves the consumer open to the three main causes of DEF quality control issues.
Low or high urea levels – In both cases, the system will go into limp mode but in general, no harm is done to the system. Some OEMs include a drain plug in the onboard storage tank to facilitate removal of non-compliant DEF. This is very common with old DEF which is outside the concentration parameters of the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system or highly concentrated DEF (like 40%) which is used for the maritime equipment and in not compatible with land-based systems. Urea concentration is the most common issue with bulk dispensed DEF.
High levels of particle contamination – This is normally a result of incorrect transportation or storage of DEF where dust and debris can bypass normal safeguards. DEF filters in vehicles will address the issue but if the DEF contains high levels of foreign matter, the filter can only handle the issue until it clogs resulting in degraded performance to full shutdown.
Incompatible fluid in the DEF – This occurs when any petroleum product, foreign liquid or even regular tap water are mixed in the onsite storage tank or the truck DEF tank. This can lead to SCR errors, limp or derate mode, and even damage to the SCR system. The fluid should be a light blue color or even clear. Any other color is a red flag to the consumer and should not be used. Keep in mind, a visual inspection will not provide an accurate assessment of the product and only a lab test can verify the presence of any contamination. Rarely is this found in storage tanks and a very common occurrence in the vehicle due to driver error.
The US-DEF Solution
The overall issue with bulk DEF revolves around trust and the lack of transparency or the ability to fully confirm the product quality BEFORE it’s dispensed into your vehicle. Addressing these shortcomings requires accountability, product certification, and consumer protection.
US-DEF addresses these issues as follows:
1. Clearly Branded Products
First, we clearly brand our products so the consumer knows who is behind the product. Unbranded or brands that are clouded in secrecy lack accountability and do little to instill consumer confidence – from pump to shelf to bulk delivery.
2. Tracking Is Easy
Second, bulk DEF is tracked at a batch level by the manufacturers. We track and keep records of every batch we deliver backwards from the retail location to the bulk transport company and finally to the producer.
3. Industry-standard Tested
Third, US-DEF only uses manufacturers who have successfully passed the ISO 22224-2 testing specifications and have been granted an API license. Furthermore, ISO testing at the pump ensures the product meets the exact standards as measured at the production site.
4. Quality Assurance
Fourth, we have worked with industry equipment specialists to develop an inline, filtration and real-time testing system at the pump. No one in the industry takes this wholistic approach to DEF at the pump.
Why Do We Go to Such Lengths?
Because the quality of DEF matters and the last thing you need is something else to worry about. Every critical fluid used in your personal or fleet vehicles is tested and verified to meet scientifically verified specifications to ensure the product you get is designed for the application it was intended for.
The key to building trust in our company, the process and the product is when we deliver a consistent, reliable product. Our focus is to provide quality, API licensed DEF in our packaged products at the pump and to commercial and retail customers across the US.
