Brazil
Frequently Asked Questions: Diesel S-50 and ARLA 32
1. What does PROCONVE phases P7 and L6 mean?
PROCONVE is the Program for the Automotive Vehicle Air-Pollution Control Program, created by the National Environment Council - CONAMA. The PROCONVE P7 (for heavy-duty vehicles of above 3.5 tons) and L6 (for light vehicles of up to 3.5 tons) phases set lower vehicular emissions levels that require more sophisticated engine technology, such as, for example:
- Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) for exhaust gases;
- Use of ARLA 32 in the catalytic system.
- Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) as an option to the SCR system.
To work properly, these innovations require vehicles to be supplied with low sulfur content diesel fuel (S-50 or S-10).
2. What is the schedule for low sulfur content diesel fuel implementation?
S-50 Diesel will be provided at selected service stations for light and heavy-duty diesel-fired vehicles manufactured from January 1, 2012.
Diesel S-10 will be available from January 1, 2013. With this, Petrobras anticipates the substitution of all S-50 Diesel for S-10 Diesel.
From January 1, 2014, all of the S-1800 Diesel fuel for road use will be substituted for S-500 Diesel.
3. What is S-50 Diesel? What are its characteristics?
S-50 Diesel is diesel fuel with a maximum sulfur content of 50 mg/kg (parts per million, ppm);
S-50 Diesel has a cetane number of 46, compared with 42 of S-500/1800 Diesel. The cetane number measures combustion quality.
4. Is the use of S-50 Diesel Fuel mandatory for CONAMA P7 vehicles manufactured from 2012?
Yes. When acquiring one these vehicles, it is recommended you ask the manufacturers/resellers about the possibility of supplying these vehicles with S-500 Diesel in an emergency.
5. Can old trucks and buses run on S-50 Diesel?
Yes. Vehicles manufactured before 2012 can take advantage of the benefits afforded by the low sulfur content diesel fuel with regard to engine conservation.
However, there will be fewer environmental benefits compared with that secured by P7 vehicles, and even null in the case of much older vehicles.
With the current engines, fitted with P5 technology (equivalent to Euro 3), the benefit is a 10% to 15% reduction in particulate material emissions.
6. Is it necessary to make any type of adaptation in order to use S-50 Diesel in older diesel fuel-fired vehicles?
No adjustment is needed for older vehicles.
7. Does S-50 Diesel expire?
It is not possible to determine the expiry date for products sold in bulk. In the case of diesel fuel, it is not advisable to stock the product for more than three months without rotation. However, the product must be subjected to technical analysis for recertification before any further action can be taken.
8. Will the service stations have to be adapted to receive the new diesel fuel?
S-50 Diesel has features that are different from the current diesel fuel, and needs to be stored separately. The decision on whether or not to build a new tank will depend on the service station's owner and on the number of tanks available at their facility.
9. Can the filter used for S-500 also be used for S-50?
The equipment already in use at a service station (diesel fuel tank, filter and pump) can be used to for low sulfur content diesel, as long as the tank and the filter are cleaned in advance (filter elements replaced). It should be kept in mind, however, that for each type of product (e.g.: S-50 Diesel, S-500 Diesel) it is necessary to use a separate filter designed specifically for it.
10. What is the difference between EGR and SCR?
The EGR system reuses part of the discharge gases that are redirected to be readmitted together with admission air. Since these discharge gases are inert, they help reduce combustion temperatures and, thus, NOx emissions.
The SCR system, meanwhile, as already seen, uses a catalyzer and the ARLA 32 solution to reduce the NOx emissions via chemical reactions.
The choice of which technology to use was made by the vehicle manufacturers based on their business strategy.
11. Do vehicles fitted with the EGR technology need ARLA 32?
No, since NOx reduction takes place by recirculating the discharge gases through the combustion chamber.
12. Is using ARLA 32 mandatory for vehicles equipped with the SCR technology?
Yes. If the vehicle does not use ARLA 32, NOx emissions will be extremely high and the engine monitoring system will act in order for the vehicle to not pollute. This will reduce engine power after a given period of time.
13. What is ARLA 32?
ARLA is the abbreviation of "Agente Redutor Líquido de óxidos de nitrogênio (NOx) Automotivo" (or Liquid Reducing Agent for Automotive nitrogen oxides (NOx)). The number 32 refers to the solution's concentration level (32.5%).
It works in exhaust systems as a nitrogen oxide emissions reducing agent (NOx).
ARLA 32 is a non-flammable, non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-explosive and, thus, safe solution.
Get to know Petrobras’ Flua, ARLA 32, marketed by Petrobras Distribuidora.
14. Does ARLA 32 expire?
Yes. ARLA 32 has a 12-month validity period when stored at average temperatures of up to 30oC and of 6 months when kept at average temperatures above 30oC and below 35oC. The product should not be exposed to sunlight.
15. Is ARLA 32 an S-50 Diesel Fuel additive?
No. Arla 32 should not be added to the S-50 Diesel tank. ARLA 32 is an automotive fluid that acts on the exhaust systems as an agent to reduce up to 98% of the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, turning them into water vapor and nitrogen. It is supplied in a specific container and injected directly into the exhaust system, where it reacts with the exhaust gases.
16. What happens if the P7 vehicle is not supplied with ARLA 32?
The OBD (On Board Diagnosis), a system of sensors that measures vehicle gas emission quality, will warn the drivers they have up to 48 hours to fill the ARLA 32 container. Otherwise, the vehicle will lose up to 40% of its power.
17. What is the average consumption expected for ARLA 32?
The expected average consumption is 5% of the diesel fuel consumption, and may vary depending vehicle use and traffic conditions.
18. Is there a mechanism to keep the products from being supplied erroneously (S-50 Diesel x ARLA 32) during supply?
Yes, the respective supply nozzles and tips will have different diameters.
19. Is ARLA 32 a urea solution?
Yes, however it is a special type of urea, with a high degree of purity, unlike the urea that is currently marketed in Brazil.
20. If I buy urea and blend it with water, will I get the same effect?
No. The urea marketed in Brazil for other purposes is completely unrelated with ARLA 32. Using any type of liquid solution other than ARLA 32 in the tanks of the new vehicles may severely damage the catalyzer and even totally destroy it.
21. Does Petrobras intend to market or produce ARLA 32?
Yes. Get to know Petrobras’ Flua, ARLA 32, marketed by Petrobras Distribuidora.
22. How to proceed in international travel to Mercosur border countries?
Each country has its own laws relating to fuel quality. You must look for information about this when you plan a route to these countries.In Paraguay, for example, Podium Diesel, with 50 ppm sulfur content, is available at the Petrobras service stations.