Diesel Exhaust Fluid Tank

Nowadays if you have a diesel car or diesel truck then you get to know about a critical additive tank on your vehicle that called a DEF tank (Diesel Exhaust Fluid tank).

The question is what is this diesel exhaust fluid tank is?

This tank contains diesel exhaust fluid which is essential for your vehicle to run or your machine or big equipment to operate .
Diesel exhaust fluid is a mixture and solution of aqueous urea which is made of 32.5% vehicle grade urea and 67.5% de- ionized water. This solution is injected into your diesel car, diesel truck or your big equipments exhaust system to convert the harmful emissions of NOx( Nitrogen oxide) into non polluting nitrogen and water reducing emissions by up to 90% this system of conversion is called selective catalytic reduction SCR. Since 2010 vehicle manufacturers implemented SCR selective catalytic reduction to meet EPA emission (Environment Protection Agencies for reducing the amount of air pollution created by diesel engine.

What it does in the vehicle

Diesel Exhaust Fluid is a reducing agent of the chemical reaction which occurs in the SCR system (selective catalytic reduction).
Engine's exhaust is injected with diesel exhaust fluid (urea solution) before entering the SCR catalyst where the reduction of NOx into nitrogen and water takes place or in simple word the harmful emissions are transformed into clean air that exits from the silencer tailpipe

In vehicle diesel exhaust fluid is stored in a tank called DEFT (diesel exhaust fluid tank) and it is connected with the exhaust system by the help of pipe injection. This storage tank or DEFT is found either close to diesel fuel tank on trucks and heavy equipment or near the spare tire of cars. This tank is identical with its blue colour filler cap written DEF on it. It is recommended that DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) to be stored in a cool, dry and well ventilated area that should be out of direct sunlight.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) not to be stored in aluminium container because urea has a corrosive impact on aluminium metals.
It is stored in a special tank or containers For less quantity it can be stored in stainless steel container and in case of bulk volume it is compatible to store in a fibre glass reinforced plastic (FRP), Polythylene containers (HDPE, XLPE) and in steel tanks.

Is it safe

Diesel exhaust fluid, DEF is same as of diesel and it is safe to handle it contains a solution of urea and water that's why it is clear like water, non toxic and it do not harm.