Curious
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The Government mandated the use of DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) in newer diesel vehicles. What is DEF? The primary component is Urea (as in Urine).
So the government has found a way to sale you Urine and make it mandatory.
So the government has found a way to sale you Urine and make it mandatory.
Hi Jack, the diesel exhaust fluid is not urine. It is a chemical created to react with the left over chemicals in the exhaust of diesel motors. As the diesel fuel is only partially burned in the combustion process, there is Nitrogen-oxide left over in the exhaust. (or nitrogen-dioxide) These are both highly poisonous, just a carbon-monoxide poisoning is possible from vehicle exhaust fumes. The DEF is introduced/injected into the HOT (800° C) exhaust, it vaporises, is chemically changed by the heat, reacts with the Nitrogen-oxides and transforms the poisonous gases into WATER and NITROGEN through a chemical reaction in the SCR(selective catalytic reduction) catalytic converter found further down in the exhaust system of the vehicle. We have found out that if the SCR and the proper amount of DEF is correctly controlled and any left over DEF in the CAT- Converter is returned to the storage tank; the air coming out of the exhaust of a diesel truck, CAN ACTUALLY be cleaner than the air being sucked into the motor in many European cities. That is how dirty the air in the cities is and how well an airfilter, DEF and SCR system really can function.
I was in Sweden by the Volvo corporation in Götebörg back in 2006 for training and that was the timeframe for the development of DEF by Volvo. Still, after my explaination of how it should work, I give you a cut-out from Wikipedia to show the actual and complicated process of what happens if you can understand the chemical process a bit.
In the international standard defining DEF (ISO 22241), it is referred to as AUS 32 (aqueous urea solution 32%).[4] DEF is also sold as AdBlue, a registered trademark of the German Association of the Automotive Industry.
Background
Diesel engines can be run with a lean burn air-to-fuel ratio (overstoichiometric ratio), to ensure the full combustion of soot and to prevent their exhausting unburnt fuel. The excess air necessarily leads to generation of NOx, which are harmful pollutants, from the nitrogen in the air. SCR is used to reduce the amount of NOx released into the atmosphere. DEF from a separate tank is injected into the exhaust pipeline. Within the SCR catalyst, the NOx are reduced by the ammonia into water and nitrogen, which are both less polluting. The water and nitrogen are then released into the atmosphere through the exhaust.[5]
The injection rate of DEF into the exhaust depends on the specific after-treatment system, but is typically 2–6% of diesel consumption volume. This low dosing rate ensures long fluid refill intervals and minimizes the tank's size (and intrusion into vehicle packaging space). An electronic control unit adjusts the addition of fluid in accordance with such parameters as engine operating temperature and speed.
Chemistry
DEF is a 32.5% solution of urea, (NH2)2CO. When it is injected into the hot exhaust gas stream, the water evaporates and the urea thermally decomposes to form ammonia (NH3) and isocyanic acid (HNCO):
(NH2)2CO → NH3 + HNCO
The isocyanic acid reacts with the water vapor and hydrolyses to carbon dioxide and ammonia:
HNCO + H2O → CO2 + NH3
Overall, thus far:
(NH2)2CO + H2O → 2 NH3 + CO2
Ammonia, in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst, reduces two different nitrogen oxides:[6]
4 NO + 4 NH3 + O2 → 4 N2 + 6 H2O and6 NO2 + 8 NH3 → 7 N2 + 12 H2O
The overall reduction of NOx by urea is then:
2 (NH2)2CO + 4 NO + O2 → 4 N2 + 4 H2O + 2 CO2 and4 (NH2)2CO + 6 NO2 → 7 N2 + 8 H2O + 4 CO2 ((WATER AND CARBON-DIOXIDE))
Operation in winter time
DEF freezes at −11 °C (12 °F).[7][8] For the SCR exhaust cleaning system to function at low temperatures, a sufficient amount of the frozen DEF must be melted in as short time as possible, preferably on the order of minutes. For example, 2010 EPA emissions requirements require full DEF coolant flow within 70 minutes.[9][10]
Typically, the frozen DEF is melted by heat from the engine, e.g. engine coolant passing through the DEF tank, governed by a thermostatic coolant control valve. This method may take significant time before the SCR exhaust cleaning system is fully operational, often up to an hour.[3]
Another method to thaw DEF (and thus allow for full SCR operation) is to integrate an electrical heater into the DEF tank. This heater must be sized, positioned, and powered adequately to rapidly melt sufficient frozen DEF. It should preferably be self-regulating not to overheat if (part of) the heater is outside of the liquid. It should also preferably be self-regulating to eliminate any complicated sensor and temperature regulating systems. Furthermore, the heater should not exceed 50–60 °C (122–140 °F), as DEF begins to decompose around 60 °C (140 °F). PTC heaters are often used to achieve this.
Safety and storage
The urea solution is clear, non-toxic and safe to handle.[11] It can corrode some metals and must be stored and transported carefully. It is recommended that DEF be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area that is out of direct sunlight. Bulk volumes of DEF are compatible for storage within polyethylene containers (HDPE, XLPE), fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), and steel tanks. DEF is also often handled in intermediate bulk containers for storage and shipping.
Diesel exhaust fluid is offered to consumers through a variety of quantities ranging from containers for single or repeated small usage, up to bulk carriers for consumers requiring a large amount of DEF. As of 2013, a number of truck stops added DEF pumps that dispense DEF. These are usually adjacent to fuel pumps so the driver can fill both tanks without moving the truck.
I was in Sweden by the Volvo corporation in Götebörg back in 2006 for training and that was the timeframe for the development of DEF by Volvo. Still, after my explaination of how it should work, I give you a cut-out from Wikipedia to show the actual and complicated process of what happens if you can understand the chemical process a bit.
In the international standard defining DEF (ISO 22241), it is referred to as AUS 32 (aqueous urea solution 32%).[4] DEF is also sold as AdBlue, a registered trademark of the German Association of the Automotive Industry.
Background
Diesel engines can be run with a lean burn air-to-fuel ratio (overstoichiometric ratio), to ensure the full combustion of soot and to prevent their exhausting unburnt fuel. The excess air necessarily leads to generation of NOx, which are harmful pollutants, from the nitrogen in the air. SCR is used to reduce the amount of NOx released into the atmosphere. DEF from a separate tank is injected into the exhaust pipeline. Within the SCR catalyst, the NOx are reduced by the ammonia into water and nitrogen, which are both less polluting. The water and nitrogen are then released into the atmosphere through the exhaust.[5]
The injection rate of DEF into the exhaust depends on the specific after-treatment system, but is typically 2–6% of diesel consumption volume. This low dosing rate ensures long fluid refill intervals and minimizes the tank's size (and intrusion into vehicle packaging space). An electronic control unit adjusts the addition of fluid in accordance with such parameters as engine operating temperature and speed.
Chemistry
DEF is a 32.5% solution of urea, (NH2)2CO. When it is injected into the hot exhaust gas stream, the water evaporates and the urea thermally decomposes to form ammonia (NH3) and isocyanic acid (HNCO):
(NH2)2CO → NH3 + HNCO
The isocyanic acid reacts with the water vapor and hydrolyses to carbon dioxide and ammonia:
HNCO + H2O → CO2 + NH3
Overall, thus far:
(NH2)2CO + H2O → 2 NH3 + CO2
Ammonia, in the presence of oxygen and a catalyst, reduces two different nitrogen oxides:[6]
4 NO + 4 NH3 + O2 → 4 N2 + 6 H2O and6 NO2 + 8 NH3 → 7 N2 + 12 H2O
The overall reduction of NOx by urea is then:
2 (NH2)2CO + 4 NO + O2 → 4 N2 + 4 H2O + 2 CO2 and4 (NH2)2CO + 6 NO2 → 7 N2 + 8 H2O + 4 CO2 ((WATER AND CARBON-DIOXIDE))
Operation in winter time
DEF freezes at −11 °C (12 °F).[7][8] For the SCR exhaust cleaning system to function at low temperatures, a sufficient amount of the frozen DEF must be melted in as short time as possible, preferably on the order of minutes. For example, 2010 EPA emissions requirements require full DEF coolant flow within 70 minutes.[9][10]
Typically, the frozen DEF is melted by heat from the engine, e.g. engine coolant passing through the DEF tank, governed by a thermostatic coolant control valve. This method may take significant time before the SCR exhaust cleaning system is fully operational, often up to an hour.[3]
Another method to thaw DEF (and thus allow for full SCR operation) is to integrate an electrical heater into the DEF tank. This heater must be sized, positioned, and powered adequately to rapidly melt sufficient frozen DEF. It should preferably be self-regulating not to overheat if (part of) the heater is outside of the liquid. It should also preferably be self-regulating to eliminate any complicated sensor and temperature regulating systems. Furthermore, the heater should not exceed 50–60 °C (122–140 °F), as DEF begins to decompose around 60 °C (140 °F). PTC heaters are often used to achieve this.
Safety and storage
The urea solution is clear, non-toxic and safe to handle.[11] It can corrode some metals and must be stored and transported carefully. It is recommended that DEF be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area that is out of direct sunlight. Bulk volumes of DEF are compatible for storage within polyethylene containers (HDPE, XLPE), fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), and steel tanks. DEF is also often handled in intermediate bulk containers for storage and shipping.
Diesel exhaust fluid is offered to consumers through a variety of quantities ranging from containers for single or repeated small usage, up to bulk carriers for consumers requiring a large amount of DEF. As of 2013, a number of truck stops added DEF pumps that dispense DEF. These are usually adjacent to fuel pumps so the driver can fill both tanks without moving the truck.
Fun fact, urea can be found in many skin care product. I particularly love Swiss goat urea in my moisturizer!
Bet my bottom dollar you are prettier for the moisturizer. My wife still has skin many women would die for, (even those 40 years younger).
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I try to find tools that do not require electricity or batteries.
Also the same for kitchen gadgets. I have hand operated, mixer, grinder, can openers, etc.
Also the same for kitchen gadgets. I have hand operated, mixer, grinder, can openers, etc.
You know what's so funny. I thought about what I have in my kitchen the other day and how much I and my family uses electric tools from our kitchen. To wine, can and water boiler are all-electric, so I am making some changes and buying more manual items in the kitchen. Starting with a kettle.
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I can roast, grind and brew coffee without electricity, buy my manual grinder takes forever and a day. A new grinder is on the way.
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Yes, we also still have an old hand mixer with the rotating handle, a hand coffee grinder and a hand operated meat grinder. A non electric griddle for pancakes and 3 different hand can openers. Saw an old hand operated ice cream maker for using with salt at the flea market but could not convince the wife we could ever use it...GP
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I would love to have one of those old hand crank ice cream mskers! I do have a lot of non electric items
in my kitchen already but would always love to add more. I find that the hand operated ones are just more convenient to use in a quick recipe, but will admit I will pull out the ones with cords when there is a lot. Dicing for canning comes to mind.
in my kitchen already but would always love to add more. I find that the hand operated ones are just more convenient to use in a quick recipe, but will admit I will pull out the ones with cords when there is a lot. Dicing for canning comes to mind.
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Oh, wow, that brought back some memories going all the way back to when Eisenhower was President, LOL.
That was quite a workout cranking those things.
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My parents gave me a hand crank ice cream maker, but it was too rusty
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I was born in early 1959. I never realized I was an Ike baby. I also thought of JFK.
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We should have listened to Ike's warning about the military industrial complex!
Yep, his farewell address hit the nail on the head, evident today that no one listened!
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I have seen the old fashioned crank style at Tractor Supply sold during holiday times. Can't remember what the price was but seemed like it was outrageously overpriced.
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I'm too old for that now, LOL. And no grandkids yet to do it for me.
