HOW TO HANDLE UREA AND HOW MUCH YOUR VESSEL MAY CONSUME

Cat® Tier 4 Final engines for inland waterway vessels reduce NOx emissions through the use of an aftertreatment system. That system uses Diesel Exhaust Fluid, or DEF, to break down NOx into harmless nitrogen and water. Other industries have used DEF — often referred to as “urea” — for years, but it’s relatively new to the inland waterway market. That’s led to lots of questions and misconceptions. Here’s what you need to know about DEF safety and consumption:

Is DEF safe? I’ve heard it’s toxic.

DEF is less toxic than diesel fuel, engine oil and other fluids you use in your car or pickup truck — like antifreeze or windshield wiper fluid. In fact, it’s mostly de-ionized water carefully blended with high-purity urea, a nitrogen-containing compound used in a variety of industries. The most common concentration is 67.5% water and 32.5% urea. A 60% water and 40% urea concentration is also available. You can use either in Cat® Tier 4 Final engines.

Does my crew need to take special precautions to handle DEF or live onboard with it?

No special precautions are necessary. It’s a good idea to wear gloves and eye protection when handling DEF, just as you would when loading fuel, lubricants or other compounds. If you come in contact with it, just rinse it off with soap and water. Commercial truck drivers have used DEF for years without issues.

How much DEF do Cat® Tier 4 Final engines consume?

It depends on engine application, duty cycle, run hours, ratings, DEF concentration and other factors. We originally calculated DEF consumption at 3-8% of diesel fuel consumption, but vessel operators using our engines are actually reporting lower numbers. To determine exactly how much DEF your engines will consume, work directly with your Cat dealer.

Do Cat Tier 4 Final engines constantly consume DEF when the engine is running?

No. Our aftertreatment system only injects the required DEF above certain exhaust temperatures and certain engine speeds and loads. DEF injection timing is a direct result of each engine’s installation and each vessel’s specific duty cycle or operating load profile. That’s how we’re able to minimize total fluid consumption.

Won’t adding DEF raise my costs?

Actually, total cost of ownership is less with Cat Tier 4 Final engines due to lower total fluid consumption (diesel fuel + DEF). Because our engines use an aftertreatment system to meet emission standards, they’re optimized for fuel burn. In most cases, the cost of DEF is more than offset by the reduction in fuel consumption.

Do you have additional questions about Tier 4 Final engines for inland waterways, DEF supply and storage or the differences between the Caterpillar solution and other options on the market? You’ll find more details here, and you can always turn to your local Cat dealer for answers.