october2021 - 40

environment the DEF is being stored in. It is never
recommended to store DEF outside unless it is in
some kind of temperature-controlled container or
underground storage tank. Indoor storage at room
temperature is typically recommended.
" Most shops I've been in are way above room
temperature, " Harmening related. " If you're located
in a warmer part of the country where you might be
storing DEF in a shop
that's above 95°F, shelf
life might be reduced to
as little as six months.
At that point, the ISO
standard recommends
that you actually test
the DEF before using it.
All of this is dependent
on high temperatures. "
Sunlight plays a
factor,
subjected to
too. When
direct
sunlight and/or high
temperatures, the water
in the DEF can end up
evaporating. That causes
the urea concentration
to increase. It also
changes the alkalinity
level which is one of the
monitored properties of
onboard diagnostics.
" The DEF could undergo
some changes that
the OBD might pick up,
causing sensors to go off
and maybe even forcing
an engine into derate
mode, " Harmening said.
" If you're
located in
a warmer
part of the
country
where you
might be
storing DEF
in a shop
that's above
95°F, shelf
life might be
reduced to as
little as six
months. "
Jeffrey Harmening,
manager, API
" Essentially, that could require a technician to change
out the DEF. "
In addition to storing DEF at the right temperature,
it's also important for fleets to ensure
that contaminants can't enter the DEF supply.
Harmening said fleets should use enclosed systems
that are reliable such as a quality DEF tote or IBC
(intermediate bulk container).
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" This becomes very critical because shops tend to be
dirty places, " Harmening said. " There are numerous
opportunities for dirt and debris to get into the DEF,
and one of those 15 important properties is insoluble
matter. That's what can cause problems by clogging
the injectors or filters once it gets into the system. "
BlueDEF's Gagnon said fleets should put standard
processes in place to ensure that all dispensFreedom
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october2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of october2021
