What’s That: Proper DEF Handling and Storage Temperatures
As the weather heats up, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) becomes more vulnerable to damage. Since DEF is a mix of urea and purified water, it’s surprisingly easy to compromise its quality, especially during the warmer months. High temperatures, contamination, or improper handling can all reduce its effectiveness and lead to issues with your equipment’s emissions system.
It might not be obvious at first, but DEF doesn’t hold up well in high heat. Ideally, it should be kept between 12°F and 86°F. Once it’s exposed to prolonged heat or direct sunlight, its shelf life can start to drop, sometimes down to just six months.
So, what does that mean in practice? You must store your DEF in shaded or insulated tanks and avoid keeping jugs or containers inside hot vehicles. If it smells strongly of ammonia, that’s a sign it’s been exposed to heat for too long. Also, DEF should always be dispensed in a well-ventilated or outdoor area, not in tight spaces, no matter how fresh it is.
Here are five tips to keep in mind to help maintain its quality and performance:
1. Use Clean, Dedicated Equipment
Because DEF can be easily contaminated, it’s best to keep it separate from everything else. That includes using dedicated storage tanks, hoses, and pumps. Even a funnel that once handled another fluid could introduce impurities.
If you’re cleaning DEF equipment, using distilled or de-ionized water is the safest bet. A quick rinse with fresh DEF afterward helps make sure the system is clean. In dusty areas, a closed-loop system can reduce airborne contamination while transferring DEF.
2. Rotate Inventory
Even when it’s stored properly, DEF has an estimated shelf life, usually between 12 to 18 months. Over time, the concentration of urea can shift, especially if temperatures have fluctuated. That’s why many operators use a “first-in, first-out” approach, where older stock is used before newer deliveries.
Checking the expiration or production date printed on the container helps keep things in order and avoids wasting products.
3. Regular Quality Checks
A quick visual check can tell you a lot. If DEF has changed color, smells off, or contains particles, there’s a good chance it’s degraded or contaminated. And if something seems questionable, testing the urea concentration with a refractometer can confirm whether it’s still within the proper 32.5% range.
Sometimes, equipment performance will also give it away. DEF that’s gone bad can cause the system to use more fluid than usual or trigger alerts in your emissions system. If you notice any of that, it’s worth checking the fluid.
4. Equipment Maintenance
Handling DEF properly is only part of the equation; keeping your bulk storage equipment in good shape is just as important. Over time, even a small crack in a hose or a worn-out nozzle can lead to contamination. That’s why it’s helpful to build regular checks into your routine.
Tanks, hoses, and dispensing systems should be inspected often. These small steps go a long way in keeping the DEF system clean and effective.
DEF might not seem complicated, but warmer weather can introduce risks that are easy to overlook. Taking the time to store it properly, keep it clean, and checking its condition helps avoid headaches down the road – and keeps your equipment running as it should.
Do you want to prepare for cold weather, too? We’ve put together a guide for handling DEF during winter.
Choosing a Supplier Focused on Your Needs
Not all DEF suppliers are equal. With an extensive DEF supply network, Mansfield ensures supply allocations at every primary supply point in North America. Mansfield also offers turnkey packaging solutions that can include customized private-label branding.
With a centralized command-and-control logistics model, Mansfield supports 6,000+ customer locations, delivers over 72 million gallons annually, and maintains 85+ supply points across North America. Contact us Today!
Looking for the right equipment for your DEF needs? With Mansfield’s DEF Equipment Catalog, you can explore a variety of DEF equipment options and request information or purchase support directly. Check out our online catalog today!
This article is part of Daily Market News & Insights
Tagged: DEF, DEF Equipment, DEF handling, DEF Quality, DEF shelf life, DEF storage, DEF suppliers, Diesel Exhaust Fluid, Emissions Compliance, equipment care, fleet operations, fluid contamination, fuel system care, Mansfield Energy, SCR system, seasonal fuel management, urea solution, warm weather maintenance
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