Terms & Concepts

Aluminum Oxide (Al2Ox) – a chemical component of aluminum and oxygen. Most commonly occurring of several aluminum oxides

Amorphous Carbon – a free, reactive carbon without a crystalline structure. In mineralogy, it is the name used for coal, carbide-derived carbon, and other impure forms of carbon that are neither graphite nor diamond.

Ammonia (NH3) – a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It dissolves in water to give a strongly alkaline solution.

Aqueous Ammonia (NH4OH) – a compound existing only in aqueous solution, formed when ammonia dissolves in water to form ammonium ions and hydroxide ions

Ash – the solid remains of fire or combustion. In diesel engines, it comes from burned engine oil

Backpressure – the pressure needed to overcome the resistance in the diesel particulate filter (DPF). It allows the exhaust to move the pipe. All DPFs have backpressure. As the filter is loaded with soot and ash, backpressure increases, causing the engine to have to work harder to push through the exhaust

Borescope – an instrument used to inspect the inside of a structure through a small hole

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) – Is a Canada based group that offers certification for mechanical and electrical products, as well as any general product that comes with a high amount of consumer risk

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – an acidic colorless gas with a density roughly 53% higher than that of dry air. It is a carbon atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms. We exhale carbon dioxide.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) – a highly toxic, colorless, odorless, flammable gas, that is produced industrially for use in the manufacture of numerous organic and inorganic chemical products

Catalyst – a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Catalyst Coating – the washcoat which serves as the carrier for a precious metal catalyst, is a porous refractory oxide layer applied to the substrates for an acidified aqueous slurry, dried and calcined. Aluminum oxide is the most common wash coat material.

Catalytic Converter – a device incorporated in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, containing a catalyst for converting pollutant gases into less harmful ones.

Conforminte Europeenne (CE) – European Conformity – means the manufacturer takes responsibility for the compliance of a producer with all applicable European health, safety, performance, and environmental requirements.

Coolant – a liquid or gas that is used to remove heat from something (like an engine)

Cu-Zeolite – are derivatives of the faujasite mineral group with in turn is a member of the zeolite family. Cu-Y zeolites are synthesized through aqueous or gaseous ionic exchange unlike the naturally occurring faujasites

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) – an emissions control liquid used to reduce the amount of air pollution created by a diesel engine. Specifically, DEF is an aqueous urea solution made with 32.5% urea and 67.5% deionized water.

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) – promotes chemical oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon (HC), as well as the organic fraction (OF) of diesel particulates. Is an exhaust after-treatment device that reduces emissions.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) – is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine

Dihydrogen – the homonuclear diatomic molecule formed from two hydrogen atoms.

Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) – certification of division at Intertek Testing Laboratories, who are also part of the NRTL program and provide assurance, testing, inspection, and certification services for a large range of industries.

Emissions – the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation, such as exhaust from cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles

Engine – A machine with moving parts that converts power into motion

European Conformity (CE) – Conforminte Europeenne – means manufacture takes responsibility for the compliances of a product with all applicable European health, safety, performance, and environmental requirements.

Exhaust – waste gases or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or other machine in the course of its operation

Exhaust Gas Re-Circulation (EGR) – an emission control technology allowing significant nitrogen dioxide gas (NOx) emission duct from most types of diesel engines from light-duty engines through medium- and heavy-duty engine applications right up to low speed, two stroke marine engines.

Fe-Zeolite – heterogeneous catalysts that show potential in a number of important industrial applications, including the selective partial oxidation of methane to methanol at room temperature, and the selective conversion of benzene to phenol.

Green Tag – means that the DPF is in fine working condition

Hardened Ash – Over time ash hardens and plugs the cell. This ash becomes difficult to remove. The longer ash spends in the diesel particulate filter (DPF) the harder it is to remove. Without proper cleaning, this hardened ash will hinder performance and can lead to irreversible damage.

Hydrocarbon (HC) – organic compound made entirely of hydrogen and carbon. This compound can cause lung irritation, coughing, choking, shortness of breath, permanent lung damage, and even death.

Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program (NRTL) – recognizes privite sector organizations to perform certification for certain products to ensure that they meet the requirements of both the construction and general industry OSHA electrical standard

Nitrogen (N) – non-metallic element, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Nitrogen is the most plentiful element in Earth’s atmosphere and is a constituent of all living matter.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – one of the highly reactive gasses of nitrogen oxides.

Nitrogen Gas (N2) – the gaseous form of nitrogen. Is a gas needed to support the performance of diesel particulate filters (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalysts used for the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx)

Nitric Oxide (NO) – a colorless toxic gas formed in many reactions in which nitric acid is reduced, as in reaction with copper. It reacts immediately with oxygen to form nitrogen oxide.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) – family of poisonous and highly reactive gasses emitted by automobiles, trucks, off-road vehicles, etc.

Normal Operating Temperature (NOT) – Most experts agree that your engine should run between 195 degrees and 220 degrees

Orange Tag – means that the DPF is still good, although it was not able to be cleaned out through standard cleaning.

Organic Fraction (OF) or Soluble Organic Fraction (SOF) – the fraction of particle mass soluble in organic solvents

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) – a company that produces parts equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer.

Oxidation – a process in which a chemical substance changes because of the addition of oxygen. The loss of electrons during a reaction by a molecule, atom, or ion. Oxidation occurs when the oxidation state of a molecule, atom, or ion is increased

Oxygen – a colorless, odorless reactive gas, the chemical element of atomic number 8, and the life-supporting component of air.

Oxygen Storage Capacity (OSC) – the amount of oxygen that can be exchanged by a reducible oxide with the gas phase or with an active metal component.

Palladium (Pd) – a chemical element that resembles platinum and is used in catalytic converters for automobiles

Particulate Matter (PM) – a complex mixture of solid and liquid material. Traditionally includes solids, or inorganic carbon and ash, organics, sulfates, hydrated sulfuric acid, and metal sulfates

Platinum (Pt) – a precious metal first found in South America in the 16th century and is used in jewelry, electrical contacts, laboratory equipment, and industrial catalysts.

Pneumatic – containing or operated by air or gas under pressure

Red Tag – means that the filter has sustained damage and should be replaced.

Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) – measure how many times the engine’s crankshaft makes one full rotation per minute, and how many times each piston goes up and down in its cylinder.

Rhodium (Rh) – a chemical element that is rare, silvery-white, hard, corrosion-resistant, and chemically inert, transition metal. Has only one naturally occurring isotype.

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) – an advanced active emissions control technology system that injects a liquid-reductant agent through a special catalyst into the exhaust stream of a diesel engine.

Soot – the fine black particles of amorphous carbon and tar produced by incomplete combustion of coal, oil, etc.

Sulfur (S) – a chemical element. Is abundant, multivalent, and nonmetallic. Diesel fuel has sulfur from crude oil and is generally still present after refining. It forms particles and is a primary contributor to air pollution and corrosion in the engine.

Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4) – strong acid made by oxidizing solutions of sulfur dioxide and used in large quantities as an industrial and laboratory reagent. In a concentrated form in an oily, dense, and corrosive liquid

Sulfur Trioxide (SO3) – known as sulfuric oxide and sulfuric anhydride is usually colorless, and well as being a liquid it can also be in ice or fiber-like crystals, or as a gas. It rapidly takes up water and gives off white fumes. SO3 is used in the production of sulfuric acid, other chemicals, and explosives

Titanium Vanadium – one of the numerous metal alloys sold by the American Elements under the trade name AE Alloys.

Turbo Charger – a supercharger driven by a turbine powered by the engines exhaust gases

Turbo Efficiency – refers to the adiabatic efficiency of the compressor. It refers to how little extra heat is put into the charge of the turbo during the compression of air

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) – a cleaner-burning fuel

United States Environmental Protection Agency, The (EPA) – an independent executive agency of the United States Federal Government asked about environmental protection matters. The EPA began as an executive order by former President Richard Nixon on December 2, 1970.

Urea – a colorless crystalline compound that is the main nitrogenous breakdown product of protein metabolism in mammals and is excreted in the urine.

Water (H2O) – a colorless, transparent, odorless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain. Is the basis of fluids of living organisms.

Zeolite – any of a large group of minerals consisting of hydrated aluminosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium. They can be readily dehydrated and rehydrated, and are used as cation exchangers and molecular sieves

Aluminum Oxide (Al2Ox) – a chemical component of aluminum and oxygen. Most commonly occurring of several aluminum oxides

Ammonia (NH3) – a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It dissolves in water to give a strongly alkaline solution

Aqueous Ammonia (NH4OH) – a compound existing only in aqueous solution, formed when ammonia dissolves in water to form ammonium ions and hydroxide ions.

Ash – the solid remains of fire or combustion. In diesel engines, it comes from burned engine oil

Backpressure – The pressure needed to overcome the resistance in the diesel particulate filter (DPF). It allows the exhaust to move the pipe. All DPFs have backpressure. As the filter is loaded with soot and ash, backpressure increases, causing the engine to have to work harder to push through the exhaust

Borescope – an instrument used to inspect the outside of a structure through a small hole

Canadian Standards Association (CSA) – Is a Canadian based group that offers certification for mechanical and electrical products, as well as any general product that comes with a high amount of consumer risk

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – an acidic colorless gas with a density roughly 53% higher than that of dry air. It is a carbon atom double-bonded to two oxygen atoms. We exhale carbon dioxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) – a highly toxic, colorless, odorless, flammable gas, that is produced industrially for use in the manufacture of numerous organic and inorganic chemical products

Catalyst – a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

Catalyst Coating – the wash coat which serves as the carrier for a precious metal catalyst, is a porous refractory oxide layer applied to the substrates for an acidified aqueous slurry, dried and calcined. Aluminum oxide is the most common wash coat material.

Catalytic Converter – a device incorporated in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle, containing a catalyst for converting pollutant gases into less harmful ones.

Conforminte Europeene (CE) – European Conformity – Means the manufacturer takes responsibility for the compliance of a producer with all applicable European health, safety, performance, and environmental requirements.

Coolant – a liquid or a gas that is used to remove heat from something (like an engine)

Cu-Zeolite – are derivatives of the faujasite mineral group which in turn is a member of the zeolite family. Cu–Y zeolites are synthesized through aqueous or gaseous ionic exchange unlike the naturally occurring faujasites

Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) – promotes chemical oxidation of carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC), as well as the organic fraction (OF) of diesel particulates. Is an exhaust after-treatment device that reduces emissions.

Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) – a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter and soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine

Dihydrogen – the homonuclear diatomic molecule formed from two hydrogen atoms

Emissions – the production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation, such as exhaust from cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles

Engine – a machine with moving parts that converts power into motion

European Conformity – Conforminte Europeenne – means the manufacturer takes responsibility for the compliances of a product with all applicable European health, safety, performance, and environmental requirements.

Exhaust – waste gases or air expelled from an engine, turbine, or other machine in the course of its operation

Green Tag – means that the DPF is in fine working condition

Hydrocarbon (HC) – an organic compound made entirely of hydrogen and carbon. This compound can cause lung irritation, coughing, choking, shortness of breath, permanent lung damage, and even death

Nitrogen (N) – non-metallic element, colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Nitrogen is the most plentiful element in Earth’s atmosphere and is a constituent of all living matter

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – one of the highly reactive gases of nitrogen oxides

Nitric Oxide (NO) – a colorless toxic gas formed in many reactions in which nitric acid is reduced, as in reaction with copper. It reacts immediately with oxygen to form nitrogen oxide

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) – family of poisonous and highly reactive gases emitted by automobiles, trucks, off-road vehicles, etc

Normal Operating Temperature (NOT) – Most experts agree that your engine should run between 195 degrees and 220 degrees.

Orange Tag – means that the DPF is still good, although it was not able to be cleaned out through standard cleaning

Organic Fraction (OF) or Soluble Organic Fraction (SOF) – the fraction of particle mass soluble in organic solvents

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) – a company that produces parts equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer

Oxidation – a process in which a chemical substance changes because of the addition of oxygen.The loss of elecrons during a reaction by a molecule, atom, or ion. Oxidation occurs when the oxidation state of a molecule, atom, or ion is increased.

Oxygen – a colorless odorless gas, the chemical element of atomic number 8, and the life-supporting component of air.

Oxygen Storage Capacity (OSC) – the amount of oxygen that can be exchanged by a reducible oxide with the gas phase or with an active metal component

Palladium (Pd) – a chemical element that resembles platinum and is used in catalytic converters for automobiles

Platinum (Pt) – a precious metal first found in South America in the 16th century and is used in jewelry, electrical contacts, laboratory equipment, and industrial catalysts

Pneumatic – containing or operated by air or gas under pressure

Red Tag – means that the filter has sustained damage and should be replaced

Revolutions Per Minute (RPM) – measures how many times the engine’s crankshaft makes one full rotation per minute, and how many times each piston goes up and down in its cylinder.

Rhodium (Rh) – a chemical element that is rare, silvery-white, hard, corrosion-resistant, and chemically inert, transition metal. Has only one naturally occurring isotype.

Soot – the fine black particles of amorphous carbon and tar produced by incomplete combustion of coal, oil, etc

Sulfur (S) – a chemical element. Is abundant, multivalent, and nonmetallic. Diesel fuel has sulfur from crude oil and is generally still present after refining. It forms particles and is a primary contributor to air pollution and corrosion in the engine

Titanium Vanadium – one of the numerous metal alloys sold by the American Elements under the trade name AE Alloys

Turbocharger – a supercharger driven by a turbine powered by the engines exhaust gases

Turbo Efficiency – refers to the adiabatic efficiency of the compressor. It refers to how little extra heat is put into the charge of the turbo during the compression of air

Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) – a cleaner-burning fuel

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – an independent executive agency of the United States Federal Government asked about environmental protection matters. The EPA began as an executive order by former President Richard Nixon on December 2, 1970

Urea – a colorless crystalline compound that is the main nitrogenous breakdown product of protein metabolism in mammals and is excreted in the urine

Water (H2O) – a colorless, transparent, odorless liquid that forms the seas, lakes, rivers, and rain. Is the basis of fluids of living organisms.

Zeolite – any of a large group of minerals consisting of hydrated alum inosilicates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and barium. They can be readily dehydrated and rehydrated, and are used as cation exchangers and molecular sieves