Why Do Vehicles Need to Burn Urea?
2 Answers
Vehicles need to burn urea to reduce harmful nitrogen oxides in the exhaust into nitrogen and water. Here is some information about why vehicles burn urea: Reason Analysis: The exhaust directly emitted from the engine can no longer meet regulatory requirements, leading to the development of exhaust after-treatment devices. The main harmful substances in diesel vehicle exhaust are nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Technical measures can be applied within the engine to reduce particulate emissions. Principle: The exhaust primarily contains nitrogen oxides. Urea is injected into the exhaust after-treatment device, where it decomposes into ammonia at high temperatures. Under the action of a catalyst, the ammonia reacts with nitrogen oxides to produce harmless nitrogen and water. This device is called the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) after-treatment system.
I've been driving for almost ten years and have a particular passion for engine technology. The use of urea in cars is essentially adding a cleaning device to the exhaust. It's called the SCR system, which sprays AdBlue solution into the exhaust pipe. When the liquid decomposes upon heating, it converts harmful nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water, ensuring the exhaust emissions meet standards. Current international regulations like Euro 6 are very strict, and without this system, the fines for exceeding limits can be hefty. From my experience in maintenance, I know it's necessary to replenish the solution periodically—every few thousand kilometers—otherwise, the system will trigger an alarm and limit the vehicle's speed. While this technology might become obsolete with the rise of electric vehicles, it's currently highly effective for diesel engines, offering both fuel efficiency and environmental benefits. Overall, it's a transitional solution that helps make the air cleaner.
