What are the raw materials for automotive urea?
3 Answers
Automotive urea refers to a urea aqueous solution with a urea concentration of 32.5% and a solvent of ultra-pure water. The raw materials are special automotive urea materials and ultra-pure water. Automotive urea is an essential product for heavy-duty diesel vehicles to meet the National IV emission standards. Below is relevant information about automotive urea: 1. Introduction: For heavy-duty trucks, buses, and other diesel vehicles to meet the National IV emission standards, an appropriate SCR system must be selected for exhaust treatment. This system requires the use of a urea solution to treat nitrogen oxides in the exhaust. Therefore, automotive urea solution has become an essential product for heavy-duty trucks and buses to meet the National IV emission standards. 2. Usage instructions: Automotive urea must use ultra-pure water of electronic grade. Since the SCR catalyst carrier is highly susceptible to metal ion poisoning, which can lead to loss of catalytic effect, the urea solution must use ultra-pure water of electronic grade. The automotive urea solution begins to freeze at -11°C and completely solidifies at -20°C in practical use. Current technology involves adding modifiers to lower the solution's freezing point and external heating devices to prevent the solution from freezing.
The raw materials for automotive urea are actually quite simple, mainly consisting of high-purity urea and water. The urea part is industrially synthesized, with its raw materials being ammonia and carbon dioxide. Ammonia is typically derived from natural gas or coal refining, produced through the Haber-Bosch process, and then reacts with CO2 under high temperature and pressure to form urea granules. These granules are then dissolved in deionized water to form a 32.5% solution, which is the AdBlue sold on the market. The water must be deionized, with high resistivity and free of impurities, otherwise, the vehicle's SCR system could become clogged, triggering the malfunction indicator light or causing excessive exhaust emissions. In my own diesel vehicle usage, I always purchase branded products from reputable gas stations, as small manufacturers might cut corners by adding impurities like iron or calcium, which can damage engine performance over time. Although the raw materials are inexpensive, the production requirements are high, necessitating professional equipment to control purity and concentration to ensure environmental compliance and fuel efficiency. Occasionally checking for sediment at the bottom of the container during refills can prevent many issues. Overall, the source of these materials is stable, but attention to maintenance details is crucial to ensure safe and smooth driving.
The key ingredients of automotive urea are urea and water, but looking deeper, there are significant environmental considerations. Urea is an industrial product synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide, with ammonia production often relying on fossil fuels like natural gas, consuming energy and generating carbon emissions. Therefore, I always recommend focusing on sustainable alternatives, such as producing ammonia using renewable energy or bio-based feedstocks. The water used is ultra-pure deionized water to minimize pollutant introduction into ecosystems. In terms of vehicle emissions, this solution helps reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx), though the production of the raw materials themselves also carries an environmental burden. Some manufacturers are now promoting recycling or low-carbon pathways, and as a consumer, I opt for brands with green certifications. The raw material costs are low, but transportation and packaging add to the carbon footprint. During maintenance, avoiding excessive use can reduce waste and be more responsible for the planet. The core is balancing performance and sustainability to drive greener vehicle upgrades.
