Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/885126
October 2017 | EquipmentWorld.com 54 DEF and ammonia are corrosive, explains Van Wyk. "If you inject any metals into that product, those met- als get caught and build up in the catalyst. With continued exposure, that will break down the reactive centers in the catalyst and essential- ly rust the catalyst from the inside out. Once the catalyst is degraded beyond a certain point, it cannot be repaired. It has to be replaced." What's the price tag for replacing an SCR system catalyst? You're look- ing at upwards of $20,000. How much metal does it take to contami- nate one? One-tenth of a teaspoon in 5,000 gallons of DEF. (For more on DEF contamination see our article at: bit.ly/DEFcontamination) How to keep clean To prevent contamination, DEF should always be transferred in a dedicated container that is compat- ible with DEF. Keep the container closed when storing or transport- ing DEF and clean the area around the fill neck when refilling the DEF tank to ensure debris doesn't enter the tank, says Shetler. This generally means stainless steel, polypropyl- ene or high-density polyethylene tanks, says Shetler. All hardware, pumping components and fittings should likewise be stainless steel or approved for DEF handling. The corrosive nature of DEF means it can degrade metal and painted surfaces, much like road salt degrades car bodies, she says. So, wipe up any drips or spills that fall on the floor or machine surfaces. Also note that DEF is two-thirds water, so it will freeze. "It doesn't affect the quality of the DEF, but keep in mind, if you go out to refill your machine in the winter, you may encounter a chunk of ice in your DEF supply," Shetler says. You can prevent this minor incon- venience by storing DEF where it stays above its freezing point of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using DEF in gallon jugs, dispose of the jugs after use. Don't attempt to refill them, as this will increase the chances of con- tamination. The industry standards for DEF storage and handling are detailed in ISO Standard 22241-3. "The highest point of risk is the individual who is putting the DEF into the machine," says Van Wyk. "You have to employ technology and education to make sure they do it right. It's easily taken for granted. The way you handle DEF from a bulk supply to the machines will have a profound impact on how that machine operates, its service time, longevity and downtime." T4F education and training Your education efforts may have to dispel some old habits and myths as well. "Diagnostics used to be about being able to listen to the engine and watch for smoke," says Shetler. "But those levers aren't available anymore." Today it's telematics and digital diagnostics that tell you how the machine is performing and give you early warning signals, she says. And those are all built into the opera- tor's dashboard. "Operators need to understand and know where the DEF-level gauges are," says Stemper. "They need to understand that Tier 4 Final equipment is not built to idle like old school engines of the past, and that extensive idling has negative, long-term effects on the engine as well as total operating costs. They need to understand the warning lights and symbols. Whether it's an SCR system running low on DEF or a CEGR (cooled exhaust gas recirculation) system in need of manual regeneration, you just can't blow through those warnings. Education of all main- tenance and operating staff won't take much time, and it will be criti- cal to long-term success." engines | continued 1.888.862.7461 www. beka-lube.com BEKA - LUBRICATION SPECIALISTS SINCE 1927 From the minute you get it, your BEKA auto-lube saves you time and money. Then it goes longer and more dependably year after year. • Complete systems matched to your large or small machines for fast, easy installation • Expert tech support always just a phone call away • Heavy-duty components with built-in survivability for harsh work environments Find out why industries are choosing today's best-built auto-lube systems. Call 1.888.862.7461 or email us at info@beka-lube.com. BEKA…. Auto-lube that right from the get-go RUNS RIGHT, 026-165A EW - Runs Right 4.5x4.5 4C.indd 1 2017-05-29 12:02 PM