What about the DEF system when you travel to Third World countries?

[Martyn]

Seeing as Urea is very common world wide as a source of nitrogen in fertilizer I would think that a "home brew" solution to this problem would be an option.

[Lynn]

Seeing as Urea is very common world wide as a source of nitrogen in fertilizer I would think that a "home brew" solution to this problem would be an option.

And urea is a component of urine, right? So bottle your urine as you are traveling and convert it?

[Bill Beers]

And urea is a component of urine, right? So bottle your urine as you are traveling and convert it?

I think that would be a time consuming process: Human urine is ~2-2.5% urea content, compared to the 32.5% content of aqueous urea/DEF/AdBlue.

And yuck.

[Lynn]

And yuck.

I agree, but composting toilets are all the rage around here, and users have to separate urine out anyway, so some folks are already there.

[howell_jd]

Can't resist!

This discussion started full of hot air and has headed into the toilet! Exhausting!

Bad puns I know.

Jonathan

[BoilermakerSteve]

I think that would be a time consuming process: Human urine is ~2-2.5% urea content, compared to the 32.5% content of aqueous urea/DEF/AdBlue.

And yuck.

The DEF is probably 32.5% actual Nitrogen, not 32.5% urea. At least that is how it is rated in fertilizer form. Urea is a fairly complex molecule that includes Nitrogen, but isn't exclusively Nitrogen.

[Bill Beers]

The DEF is probably 32.5% actual Nitrogen, not 32.5% urea. At least that is how it is rated in fertilizer form. Urea is a fairly complex molecule that includes Nitrogen, but isn't exclusively Nitrogen.

I'm just going off the wiki page on AdBlue, so it may be wrong.

[herm]

it does freeze/ get too cold to work. Our new truck has a 5 or so gallon tank and lasts about 3 days at 1000 rpm. we work in the oil feild and can spend many days on a rig sometimes running our hydraulics and generator at a set RPM. sometimes our trucks sit work for months stright with just a few mile trip every week or so to move to another well site. I have been up to north dakota and herd many complaining about runing in limp mode for long periords because of frozen fluid in their pickup trucks. Most places do not see 20 or 30 below on a consistant basis like we do though.

[dzzz]

Seems like some heating tape on the supply tube would fix the freezing problem. Or perhaps a espar/webasto heater would work by keeping the engine water temp up. If the engine doesn't reach full operating temp it can't be happy.
As far as getting adblue, just have a case shipped. Maybe a family member could ship mail with it.
But I agree the problem for world travel isn't the adblue, but ULSD. The solution to ULSD may eliminate adblue. There are still states that don't do emissions testing, so there are companies that produce "off road" kits.
If all this is too much buy a vehicle 2006 or older. "Offroad conversion" or used are the two choices.

[haven]

X2 to cwsqbm's comment on the absence of ultra-low sulfur diesel south of the border.

Running a newer (2007-present) diesel engine on high sulfur fuel is definitely a bad idea. While the engine will run on the old style diesel, the emissions control systems will be damaged. The diesel particulate trap, in particular, is likely to get gummed up to the point where it will increase back pressure in the exhaust, making the engine run poorly. Replacing the DPF is expensive. In addition, running your vehicle on the old diesel fuel will void the manufacturer's warranty.

If you know that your travels will take your vehicle to Mexico and points south for an extended period, I'd look for a vehicle with a 2006 or older diesel engine. Or consider buying a new vehicle in a country where ULSD is not yet required.