Posted by Jason Mays
Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) equipment can be overwhelming to sort through with all the various pump and dispensing options available. At Airgas, we understand that, as you grow your fleet’s Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) headcount, you want to have reliable supply and support in addition to minimizing costs. The last thing you want is an equipment bottleneck that prevents you from efficiently dispensing DEF. The goal is to grow modularly with your DEF demand. Prices decrease with higher volume packaging with an ultimate price point for bulk DEF, roughly 5,000 gallon deliveries.
So you’re ready to start taking advantage of the most common DEF packages available today: the 55-gallon drum and the 330-gallon IBC tote. There are two common styles of pumps for these packages: “external” pumps that connect via a coupler/insert and dip tube system, and “internal” or “stick” pumps that are physically inserted into the drum or tote. Both styles are available from Airgas with electric or pneumatic motors and manual or auto shut-off features.
“External” pumps will allow you to use either a drum or tote, because the insert/dip tube assembly is contained within the drum or tote you have purchased. Just make sure you are requesting the systems and style – stainless steel or poly – with each order. External pumps also give you flexibility to mount on something other than the drum or tote itself which, in the long run, is going to maximize its life because of less handling. The best benefit to an external pump system is the added QA/QC peace of mind. The drawback, on the other hand, is price. They are more expensive than internal pumps.
"Internal” or “stick” pumps have the motor mounted on a pump shaft. They are rigid shafts that are pulled in and out of the drum or tote when changed out, a process that increases the opportunity for contamination. Drums and totes have different heights. So, if you’re looking to move from drums to totes, you’ll need to replace the drum pump shaft with a longer tote pump shaft, and that cost just defeated your initial savings.
If you know you are eventually going bulk in the coming years, the island pedestal dispenser is something to look into right from the start. This system would be considered an “external” pumping system and the DEF source could be drums, totes or remote bulk storage. The pedestal dispensers give you the added ability to tie in your card lock and begin monitoring DEF usage immediately. Sizing the pump would require more information regarding climate, distance and location of DEF storage and total number of pedestal dispensers in use.
What equipment options have you seen work for you, and why? Is it time to consult on a custom dispensing solution that meets your needs both today and tomorrow?