What is the function of adding urea to trucks?
3 Answers
Truck urea injection is primarily used for exhaust treatment. Only vehicles equipped with diesel engines require urea addition, mainly to treat exhaust gases and reduce pollutants in the emissions. Most vehicles using diesel engines, such as buses, trucks, semi-trailers, and trucks, are required to add urea. Urea injection is specifically for diesel engines because they emit nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants during operation, which are harmful to both the atmosphere and human health. Prolonged exposure to these gases can cause respiratory diseases. To mitigate these hazards, urea is utilized in a catalytic reaction process. When urea encounters nitrogen oxides emitted from diesel engines, a chemical reaction occurs that converts the NOx into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. Typically, about 4 liters of urea are consumed per 100 liters of diesel fuel. The exact consumption rate varies depending on engine displacement, model, manufacturer, as well as road conditions and load capacity.
I've been driving heavy-duty trucks for long-distance transportation for many years and often deal with urea refilling. This stuff is mainly used in the truck's exhaust system, where it reacts with nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas through a system called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), converting them into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. This significantly reduces pollution emissions, making the truck more environmentally friendly, and helps avoid fines for excessive emissions. If you don't refill the urea in time, the vehicle may show a fault light, and the engine could enter a reduced power mode, affecting performance and fuel consumption. Regularly checking the urea tank is crucial to prevent impurities from clogging the nozzle, ensuring smooth system operation benefits both the environment and your wallet.
I'm a truck technology enthusiast who enjoys studying these systems. The core function of adding urea is to assist SCR technology. After urea is injected into the exhaust pipe, it decomposes into ammonia under the action of a catalyst, converting harmful nitrogen oxides into nitrogen and water, significantly reducing exhaust pollution. This not only complies with stringent emission regulations but also improves engine efficiency, indirectly saving fuel. If you forget to add it, the ECU will limit vehicle performance and trigger an alarm, affecting driving safety. For daily maintenance, use qualified AdBlue products and prevent it from freezing or becoming contaminated to extend the system's lifespan, making a considerable contribution to the environment.
