LABTEC's chemical analysis capability of AUS 32 to the ISO 22241 standard, has recently extended to include AUS 40 under ISO 18611. Furthermore, our wide range of analytical methods and expertise, can be tailored to meet your Quality Assurance needs and ensure sample collection, shipping, testing and reporting is timely and accurate.
In today’s world, environmental protection, climate change, and air pollution have increasingly become subjects of central concern. Events, including the Dieselgate scandal in 2015, have fuelled public-health concerns and consumer demand for more environmentally sustainable solutions to reduce air pollution from Diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
Due to the adverse effects of diesel emissions on health and the environment, global governments and regulatory bodies have been developing frameworks and implementing requirements for permissible exhaust emission standards. In New Zealand, alongside the development of the Zero Carbon Act, the Government has made commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol to develop a framework of and implement climate change policies. In early 2021, the Climate Change Commission released a draft advice on steps for reaching emissions reduction targets by 2050. The Commission is aiming to release a finalised advice by 31 May 2021. As actions continue to progress to meet emission targets, researchers are powering ahead to formulate the next generation of biofuels and innovative new feedstocks that will significantly reduce emissions.
LABTEC is proud to be part of this next chapter in supporting our clients to ensure key products used in the fight against diesel emissions meet their key specifications.
Our chemical analysis capability of AUS 32 to the ISO 22241 standard, has recently extended to include AUS 40 under ISO 18611. This means that we are well equipped to meet your Quality Assurance needs to routinely test and check the condition of Aqueous Urea Solutions (AUS) that cover a wider range of terrestrial and marine vehicles.
Diesel pollution and the chemistry behind AdBlue®
Diesel fuel has been reported to produce many harmful emissions when it is burned. Most airborne nitrogen oxides (NOx) come from combustion-related emissions. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) defines NOx as a family of poisonous and highly reactive gases. NOx reacts with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight to form ozone (smog), which creates a brownish coloured gas or brown haze we often see above cities. It tends to occur more often during the warmer summer months when we have the most sunlight.
As manufacturers continue to make developments, measures are being introduced by nations to reduce emissions. In the last five years, the NZ Government has been taking action to lower emissions of NOx, particulate matter and other pollutants from road vehicles, electric utilities, and off-road equipment (e.g. construction equipment and boats). In 2016 transport contributed to 85.6% of NOx emissions in Auckland, however regional emissions have been on the decline since 2001 despite an increase in vehicle kilometres travelled. This observation is largely attributed to key developments and improvements in areas including SCR technology and DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), commonly known in New Zealand under the brand names AdBlue® and GoClear.
AUS 32 consists of high purity urea (CH₄N₂O) dissolved in deionised water. The ratio of the DEF mix is reasonably standardised at 32.5% urea and 67.5% de-ionised water, giving rise to the synonym, “AUS 32”.
AUS 32 was developed to reduce NOx emissions from auto exhaust systems. The solution is injected into diesel engine exhaust systems, and once inside the SCR catalyst, the solution reacts with NOx gasses emissions and forms water vapour and harmless nitrogen gas. This technology optimises engine performance and has a significant, positive side effect of reduced fuel consumption.
LABTEC extends chemical analysis to AUS 40 for NOx reduction
Often referred to as “marine DEF,” AUS 40 is a marine grade solution containing a higher urea percentage. Used in large combustion diesel engines, such as those used by marine vehicles, AUS 40 is also increasingly being used in rail and other land-based applications.
Chemical Analysis and Formulation Services at LABTEC
When testing against quality specifications, it is critical that foreign materials do not contaminate the solution. To help refiners and processors meet their emission targets and today’s increasingly stringent emission regulations, LABTEC offers chemical analysis of raw materials during the manufacturing stages as well as the final product for AUS 32 under ISO 22241 and AUS 40 to the ISO 18611 standards.
Our laboratory services encompass research and development projects, particularly for our valued clients rigorously working to develop innovations in the areas of catalytic technology, stricter emission regulations, and the expanding application scope of AUS 32 and AUS 40 in automotive, diesel-powered heavy industrial machinery, and the agricultural machinery industries.
Our wide range of analytical methods and expertise, can be tailored to meet your Quality Assurance needs and ensure sample collection, shipping, testing and reporting is timely and accurate. We have also developed in-house methods for testing utilising HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography), FTIR (fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) and XRF (x-ray fluorescence) technologies.
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