In this text, you will understand what this substance is, its importance, its risks, how it is used and why its use is mandatory in the country.

Do you want to learn all this in a quick read? Come with us and we will tell you everything!

What is Arla 32:

Arla 32 is nothing more than a compound formed by the combination of Urea and Demineralized Water, and its use aims to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Its name is an abbreviation of “Automotive Liquid Nitrogen Oxide Reducing Agent” and the 32 comes from the amount of Urea present in Demineralized Water (32.5%).

Arla 32 is essential for containing the emissions of these polluting gases into the atmosphere. It is used in conjunction with the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, and is mandatory for heavy vehicles (such as trucks and buses) manufactured from 2012 onwards. This requirement is in addition to the use of S10 Diesel Oil, which you can read more about by clicking here.

Some people, upon realizing that the composition of Arla 32 seems simple, believe that it is possible to manufacture this substance at home, creating a solution from Urea and Water. Although the idea is somewhat intriguing, the truth is that it is not possible to manufacture this substance on your own, since the commercially available urea contains some additional substances that are not present in the commercially available Arla 32, substances that can compromise the vehicle’s operation and even lead to the total failure of the engine.

Is Arla 32 dangerous?

Although it is a substance that is used in the engines of heavy vehicles near toxic components, fuel and oils, Arla 32 is not considered a dangerous substance. This is because it does not fit into the category of an explosive, flammable or toxic compound, that is, it does not pose any risk and is quite safe to use.

However, it is worth noting that only Arla 32 purchased in legal stores meets these characteristics. If the driver chooses to create a homemade substance to replace Arla 32, the results can be disastrous, such as loss of vehicle performance and even permanent damage to the catalytic converter. The same applies to those who decide to add water to the Reducing Agent reservoir, or install technologies that bypass the Arla 32 recognition systems. To be a truly safe and reliable compound, Arla 32 must have the Inmetro Seal and comply with Standard NBR ISO 22.241 of the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT).

Furthermore, any means used to circumvent the use of Arla 32 is characterized as an environmental crime, and oversight of such actions has been increasingly expanded by qualified sectors, such as the Federal Highway Police (PRF) and the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA).

Why is it important to use Arla 32?

The main benefit of using Arla 32 is the reduction of pollutant gas emissions into the atmosphere – learn more about this subject in our article on Biodiesel – Therefore, its use is seen as a measure to combat pollution caused by motor vehicles.

Reducing the emission of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) is good for the environment, improving air quality, which is consequently extremely beneficial for human health. Hence the importance of Arla 32.

Can Arla 32 be mixed with fuel?

First of all, no! It is a very common mistake to understand that Arla 32 is used as a type of additive to Diesel or a mixture that must be made with some fluid already present in the vehicle, but this is a mistaken conclusion. Arla 32 is exclusively used in diesel engines with the SCR system, and has a separate tank from the fuel that holds the reducing agent (usually located by a blue cap).

Just like fuel, Arla 32 must be filled in vehicles, but each one in its own tank. To prevent the tank of these compounds from being exchanged in a moment of inattention (which would certainly cause several problems to the vehicle’s engineering), the hose nozzle and the nozzle of the Arla 32 tank have different diameters from the respective nozzle and nozzle of the Diesel, making it impossible to accidentally exchange them when refueling.

How much does Arla 32 cost?
Yield

The yield of Arla 32 generally follows a ratio of 1 to 20, that is, for every 20 liters of Diesel burned, 1 liter of Arla 32 is consumed. This is not a very large proportion, and an intriguing fact is that a liter of Arla 32 costs almost the same as a liter of Diesel, even though the consumption of the two is different.

Prices

More than one factor influences the price of Arla 32, the main ones being transportation and the type of packaging used. In addition, there are reseller fees, which are determined individually, with no restrictions on the part of the manufacturer.

A 20-liter gallon of Arla 32 (corresponding to the consumption of approximately 400 liters of Diesel) costs on average R$80.00, which is equivalent to R$4 per liter.

There are also other price scenarios, where Arla 32 is purchased in larger quantities (usually by companies that work with a fleet of buses or trucks) and its price can be negotiated with the manufacturer, costing less than R$4.00 per liter.

Validity and storage

However, it is not recommended that Arla 32 be purchased in large quantities just because of the reduction in its price, as the fluid also has an expiration date, becoming obsolete after this date.

The expiration date of Arla 32 is closely related to the storage conditions of the substance. If Arla 32 is stored in places with temperatures of 30 to 35 degrees Celsius, its validity is only 6 months. If the temperature exceeds 35º Celsius, the functionality of the product is lost. In another case, if the place has a temperature of no more than 30º Celsius, its validity can last up to 12 months.

Therefore, if the person wishing to purchase the substance does not have enough space to properly store Arla 32, buying a larger quantity to pay less ends up not being the best decision, as the product will have a shorter shelf life and the buyer runs the risk of losing it.

So, did you like the article? Do you want to know more about Arla 32? Talk to ON Petro through one of our channels!