Pilot Travel Centers Opens First DEF Pumps On Both Coasts
Just in time to meet tough new EPA NOx rules, the Pilot chain of truck stops announced today that it has opened the first two Diesel Exhaust Fluid pumps in the country.
DEF is for diesel-powered trucks that use urea selective catalytic reduction to meet tough new EPA limits on nitrogen oxide emissions that go into effect on Jan. 1. All new diesels built after that date will have to reduce allowable NOx levels by 90 percent from today’s levels.
DEF is a urea-based solution (32.5 percent industrial urea and 67.5 percent deionized water) that's injected as a fine mist into the engine’s hot exhaust gases. The heat turns the urea into ammonia that – when combined with a special catalytic converter – breaks the NOx down into nitrogen gas and water vapor.
Pilot's DEF pumps are located on both coasts, in Brooks, Ore. and Charlotte, N.C., to service trucks traveling cross country. The DEF is priced at $2.79 a gallon.
Pickup trucks that will require DEF include the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty, powered by the all-new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8, 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra HD pickups, powered by the updated 6.6-liter LML Duramax V-8, and 2010 Mahindra TR20 and TR40 midsize pickups, powered by the 2.2-liter mHawk four-cylinder.
The new 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty pickups don't use DEF to scrub NOx because they carry over the existing NOx "adsorber" catalyst that's paired with the 6.7-liter Cummins I6. However, 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks will use DEF.
DEF will also be available in multiple bottle and canister sizes, so it cab be stored in the vehicle or in a garage. It has a one to two year shelf life, depending on temperature.
Pilot says it will install 100 DEF pumps throughout the U.S. by the middle of 2010.
[Source: Pilot]
Comments
Just one more maintenance item/expense to keep diesel owners on their toes. Thanks again EPA.
Just one more minor expense (compared to fuel prices) to keep the air we breathe a bit cleaner. Thanks again, EPA.
Just one more thing that will wind up costing the end-user more... Makes me wonder if not using it in a truck that will "require" the urea will do anything other than emit NOx and make the vehicle not pass a smog test... or will it actually affect the vehicle in a way that will hinder performance, don't see how it would, seeing how it deals with exhaust gases... makes me think a person could just NOT use it if they were so inclined.
@dosmith: The 2010 trucks will "know" if you have run out of DEF and will either 1) not start or 2) go into limp home mode when the tank is dry. You'll start to get increasingly noticeable and frequent warnings when there's about 1,000 miles range left in the DEF tank.
@ Mike: How big is the DEF tank and how long will it last? Sure hope you dont have to fill it up everytime you buy diesel. THANKS AGAIN EPA.
The Tank is usually designed to go between oil changes (IE 5 to 7.5K miles). The truck will not go into limp home mode of not start, it will operate with reduced power but still be safe to operate.
^Yeah, "operate with reduced power" kinda' like the current Ford diesels when the egts get too high. No thanks.
Yet another reason to buy a Dodge/Cummins pickup. No urea required. Oh ya, urea freezes at 11 degrees. try pouring that in Alaska....
Okay Mike, now we have to toss out more questions.
I have (kinda/sorta, based on a test drive and dealer quality) decided to drop my hard earned sheckles on a new T40 Mahindra, based on some if's and butt's. So the question is what kind of pee (urea) mileage is Mahindra talking about? Does anybody know at this point? it had better be at least twenty times the 30 mpg marker or the Indian rig automatically loses all sparkle in my eyes.
In my opinion, if you are stupid enough to ignore the warnings for a 1000 or so miles, I won't feel too bad for you if you end up stuck on the side of the road.
People are so close minded with new technology.
DEF is just another maintenance item.
When a fuel or air filter is restricted, don't you have reduced power?
Not confusing it with DPF (diesel particulate filter) are you? I don't think DEF restricts anything, just mixes in with the diesel on injection, acts as a catalyst, which reduces the fuel consumption of the diesel, and generating more power and torque. Cleaner emissions being a byproduct of that. That is my understanding of how DEF works anyway
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) in injected into the exhaust which causes a chemical reaction.
I was refering to people commenting about having to buy D.E. Fluid.
One more reason not to buy a light duty diesel.
I heard the def tanks will be about 2 gallons (which according to this article is less than $3.00 per gallon), which will last about 7kmiles. This figures to less than 1/10th of a penny per mile. So if you can't afford that, you definately should not be buying a diesel p/u.
@DBAG: The sizes I've heard are in the 5-10 gallon range.
even at 10 gallons, the cost is still less than 1/2 a penny a mile. Not a very convincing arguement against SCR engines.
One of the things I've heard about DEF is that, it allows for a Diesel Particulate Filter that is smaller, requires less regeneration, and requires less fuel to regenerate. So, while you'll have to pay for DEF, you will get better fuel economy and a less restrictive exhaust allowing for more power.
Anyone know if there is any truth to that?
If that's the case, than I don't think I'll mind DEF as much as I initially thought. Especially if they keep the price of it low and find a way to use it that removes the DPF entirely.
No, the diesel particulate filter deals with soot, the SCR deals with NOX, two different emissions. The SCR will allow for a reduction in EGR, so perhaps the EGR valve and cooler could be smaller. That could potentially give you better fuel economy.
Good to know it's cheap and will last a while.
Let's just hope they start gettin more of these pumps. Ya know, there are still places in the US where it is hard or impossible to even find diesel fuel anyway so I imagine it is going to be an even bigger pain to get the DEF luckily it wouldn't have to be filled every time. Maybe the lube places could carry it for those out there who don't change their own oil. Come on in and get an oil change and we'll go ahead and top off your DEF too. That would kinda suck for those of us that change our own oil.
Worst case if you run out you could always pee in the tank.
I have read that you get around 300 mpg for urea under light load.
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