How do you manufacture diesel exhaust fluid?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 18, 2026
The method comprises the following steps: sending an ammonia-and-carbon dioxide removed urea synthesis reaction liquid from the synthesis workshop section of a urea production device to a crystallization kettle, carrying out vacuum flash evaporation crystallization, centrifuging the obtained crystallization kettle ...
How AdBlue is manufactured?
AdBlue® is produced from a high purity urea solution. Urea is produced by the synthesis of ammonia and CO2 (carbon dioxide). Technical grade urea is found in such products as shampoos, cosmetics and glues. Urea used in AdBlue® is of a different quality grade than that used for fertilizers.
How is DEF fluid made?
DEF is a mixture of (typically) 2/3 deionized water and 1/3 urea. It's carefully regulated by the American Petroleum Institute. Technically, urea is derived from one of the byproducts of urine. But it's synthetically made, so no cats are ever harmed in the production of the fluid.
How is AdBlue urea made?
Well, AdBlue urea is made by heating up synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide. The urea is then added to the de-ionised water to create AdBlue. AdBlue sits in a separate tank to diesel and, unlike petrol or diesel, isn't injected into the engine. Instead, it's injected into the exhaust system.
What are the ingredients in diesel exhaust fluid?
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) which is composed of 32.5 percent urea and 67.5 percent deionized water. For those who like trivia, urea is considered to be the first organic compound to be synthesized from inorganic chemicals.
44 related questions foundWhat companies make diesel exhaust fluid?
Manufacturers of DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)
- Agrium. Product Name – ...
- Airgas. Product Name – AiRx™ ...
- Cervantes Delgado Inc (CDI) Product Name – AirBlueFluids & DYNOx. ...
- CF Industries. Product Name – TerraCair. ...
- CoreFluids. Product Name –NOxBLUE. ...
- Cummins and Valvoline® ...
- Dyno Nobel. ...
- Kost USA.
Where is DEF manufactured?
Dakota Gas began producing DEF in April 2018. Dakota Gas has the capacity to produce 64 million gallons of DEF per year. Dakota Gas has about 1 million gallons of on-site storage. Dakota Gas has truck and rail loading operations.
Why can't Australia make urea?
The world is facing a major shortage of the compound, a key ingredient found in the diesel exhaust fluid AdBlue and a large component in fertiliser. The main reason for the shortage is that China, which previously supplied 80% of Australia's urea supplies, has banned export of the product.
Can I make my own AdBlue?
It can only be produced industrially. Making AdBlue® yourself may have adverse repercussions on your vehicle. the first involves dissolving granules of solid urea, called prills in demineralised water; the second involves mixing synthetic urea with demineralised water.
What is the main ingredient in AdBlue?
AdBlue is the name used internationally for an additive developed for the chemical and motoring sectors. It's an extremely high purity, 32.5% aqueous solution of urea (minimum 31.8% - maximum 33.3%) that transforms nitrogen oxides into nitrogen (N2) and water vapour (H2O) by means of chemical reduction.
How is urea made for DEF?
Contrary to popular myth, cow and bat urine and DEF are not a thing. The urea used in the manufacture of DEF is synthetically derived from ammonia and carbon dioxide, and urea production plants are often adjacent to other sites where ammonia is produced, such as coal and natural gas refineries.
Can you pee in your DEF tank?
Please do not urinate in your DEF tank, the SCR system will be damaged and it will cost thousands of dollars to repair. Here at Transliquid Technologies we specialize in providing the best quality of Diesel Exhaust Fluid.
Do all new diesels use DEF?
A: Because almost all diesel-powered passenger cars and trucks built since 2010 are equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and require Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), it is readily available at most fueling stations and automotive parts retail stores.
What urea is in AdBlue?
However, you may well be interested to know that AdBlue is intrinsically safe, as it has a composition that's 67.5 percent de-ionised water and 32.5 percent urea.
Who manufactures AdBlue?
BASF manufactures AdBlue® using a self-contained process from liquid urea. As a result, it is less susceptible to spoiling during production, filling and storage than AdBlue® made by dissolving urea prills. AdBlue® by BASF can be kept at temperatures between -11°C and 25°C without any reduction in shelf life.
Is AdBlue made from pig urine?
Is AdBlue® made from pigs' urine? AdBlue® is a synthetic, highly purified solution of urea and demineralized water NOT pigs urine. Whilst the chemical urea is in pigs' urine, it is found in much lower concentration alongside many other elements.
Can I use distilled water instead of AdBlue?
Using water instead of AdBlue - In short, you mustn't use water instead of AdBlue, or water down the AdBlue in anyway. AdBlue is a mixture of urea and 67.5% de-ionized water. Where as tap water contains a lot of minerals and ions that is harmful to the vehicle exhaust treatment system.
Why is there a shortage of AdBlue?
In short, Australia is set to face an AdBlue shortage by February 2022, if not earlier. And due to offshoring, we produce very little of AdBlue's key ingredient – urea – domestically. We've done little of late to support local production that otherwise would struggle to compete in the global market.
Can urea be manufactured?
Urea is manufactured synthetically by reacting natural gas, atmospheric nitrogen and water together at high temperature and pressure to produce ammonia and carbon dioxide. These gases are then reacted at high temperature and pressure to produce molten (liquid) urea.
Which country is the largest producer of urea?
India is the top country by urea production in the world. As of 2019, urea production in India was 24.5 million tonnes that accounts for 33.77% of the world's urea production. The top 5 countries (others are Russian Federation, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United States of America) account for 73.36% of it.
What countries make urea?
In 2019, Russia was by far the world's largest exporter of urea, at 6.98 million metric tons. Qatar followed, with more than 5.6 million tons. Other leading countries in terms of urea exports were Egypt, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Is DEF Made in USA?
Because USA DEF is a manufacturer located in the Rocky Mountain region, you have a guarantee of product availability. USA DEF is manufactured, certified, packaged and delivered direct from the plant to our business partners and USA DEF provides a steady back-up of supply.
Who makes AC Delco DEF fluid?
ACDelco is the true General Motors Original Equipment parts brand, infusing a century of experience, innovation and quality into more than 90,000 GM OE and other parts.
What country makes def fluid?
SCR was applied to automobiles by Nissan Diesel Corporation, and the first practical product "Nissan Diesel Quon" was introduced in 2004. With the cooperation of the oil and chemical industry, a 1,300-station infrastructure to supply DEF was prepared by September 2005 in Japan.
Is there a DEF shortage?
Diesel exhaust fluid is a critical component of every fuel program. Required since 2010 for on-road fleets and since 2015 for off-road fleets, most modern fleets require DEF to remain mobile. Yet a severe, worldwide shortage has spurred severe supply chain challenges.