Engen Petroleum, a leading marketer of lubricating oils, has secured the exclusive distribution rights in Sub-Saharan Africa for Air 1, more commonly known as AdBlue – a high-purity synthetic emission fluid that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel engines’ exhaust gases.

What is AdBlue and Air 1?                       
AdBlue is the registered trademark for AUS32, or Aqueous Urea Solution 32.5% - a 32.5% solution of high-purity urea in de-mineralised water that is clear, non-toxic and safe to handle.

Commercialised by Yara, the world’s biggest AdBlue producer, Air 1 is the world’s leading brand of AdBlue. Since 2006, it has been used in millions of heavy-duty vehicles around the world to reduce NOx emissions, says Sydney Bruckner, Lubricants Business Manager at Engen Petroleum.

Why do you need it?
“Since 1996, exhaust emission limits have been lowered in Europe to help reduce the amount of harmful toxic gases released into the air by car engines, including nitrogen oxides, which are main contributors to acid rain and the shrinking ozone layer,” Bruckner says.

South Africa’s fuel producers currently work to Euro II and Euro III emission standards, he adds. “SA will only legislate Euro IV standards around the middle of the decade, so the initial requirement for Adblue will be fairly small but is expected to grow as more Euro IV vehicles enter the market. Whether truck owners have heard of Air 1 or AdBlue or not, chances are they may soon be driving machinery that requires it.”

How does it work?
To comply with mandatory reduction in NOx emissions, diesel engine manufacturers have re-developed their engines, most commonly using a new technology called SCR or Selective Catalytic Reduction.

“If you have an SCR machine that requires AdBlue, you need to dispense a product like Air 1 into an existing separate tank already fitted to your vehicle,” says Bruckner.

“AdBlue is not a fuel, nor is it mixed with fuel. It is used as after-treatment with diesel engines that have the new SCR technology. The system sprays the product into the exhaust gas going through the catalyst, converting it into harmless steam and nitrogen.

Saves diesel too
Implementing SCR technology with AdBlue from Air 1   will yield a significant cost-cutting effect in terms of fuel consumption, Bruckner says. “Diesel consumption can be reduced by up to 10%.”

Getting, using and storing it
Bruckner says AdBlue from Air 1 needs to be replenished once with every two diesel refills. “Consumption will be approximately 5% by volume of diesel consumption, but this will differ dependent on the type of machine and work undertaken.”

AdBlue from Air 1 is only available via Engen dealership outlets, says Bruckner. “It is important that truck owners purchase product in dedicated AdBlue sealed packaging. Contaminants from unsealed packaging will cause problems to your SCR system.”

Store it indoors using the standard delivered packaging, making sure the environment is dust-free and that the product is kept out of direct sunlight and properly sealed when not in use.

For media queries please contact Bulelwa Payi, Engen Petroleum Communications Executive at Tel: +27 21 403 4422: Cell: 082 8883110 or Email: bulelwa.payi@engenoil.com

For further product information, please contact our Customer Service Centre on 0800 036436 or visit http://www.air1.info/