Plenty of yards, farms and depots don't have room inside for a 1,000 L IBC of AdBlue®, so it ends up outside. That's workable, as long as the setup deals with the things that go wrong outdoors: sun, rain, dust, knocks and tampering. Get the position and protection right on day one and the IBC can sit there safely until it's empty.
Choosing the spot
A full IBC weighs about 1,150 kg. Once it's placed, it stays placed, so think it through before the forklift arrives.
- Firm and level. A concrete pad or compacted, level hardstand. Soft ground can settle unevenly and tilt the IBC, which strains the cage and valve.
- Forklift access. You'll need to get the empty out and the next full one in. Leave clear access on the fork side.
- Away from traffic. Out of the path of reversing trucks and loaders. Bollards or a barrier are worth it in busy yards.
- Away from drains. If it leaks or is punctured, you don't want 1,000 litres heading into stormwater.
- Convenient to vehicles. Close enough that the hose reaches without dragging across the ground.
If you're using a gravity feed kit, the IBC needs to sit on a sturdy stand so the outlet is above the vehicle's AdBlue filler. The stand must be rated for the full weight.
Shade and weather protection
Sun is the biggest outdoor risk. AdBlue should ideally be kept below 30°C, and an IBC in full sun can get much warmer than that. UV also ages the plastic bottle over time, making it brittle.
- A simple roof, carport-style shelter or shade sail is the most effective protection. Block the afternoon sun if nothing else.
- Where a structure isn't practical, fit an insulated IBC cover. It slows heating and blocks UV.
- Keep the top lid screwed down. Rain sitting in the lid recess can get in when it's opened, carrying dust and leaf litter with it. Wipe the lid area clean before opening.
- In cold inland or alpine areas, remember AdBlue freezes at about −11°C. A cover helps there too.
Keeping dust and dirt out
Outdoor IBCs collect dust, especially on mine, quarry, farm and construction sites. The places it gets in are the lid, the outlet valve and the dispensing hose.
- Cap the outlet valve when you're not using it, and keep the cap clean.
- Hang the hose and nozzle up off the ground, with the nozzle in a holder or boot. A nozzle lying in the dirt goes straight into a vehicle filler next time.
- Use only dedicated AdBlue hose and fittings (EPDM hose, stainless or plastic fittings). Never brass or galvanised.
- Consider an inline filter after the tap or pump if several vehicles fill from the IBC.
Security and spill readiness
An IBC in an open yard can be tampered with, or simply used by someone with a dirty jerry can. Some sites lock the outlet valve or the enclosure; at a minimum, label it clearly as AdBlue only.
Keep a general purpose or chemical spill kit nearby. Oil-only kits won't work, because they repel water-based liquids like AdBlue. Any residue can be rinsed away with plenty of water; dried AdBlue leaves white urea crystals. Bunding and site storage rules vary, so check with your state EPA and your site's requirements if you store IBCs outdoors long-term.
When an IBC runs empty, disconnect the hose and fittings and keep them capped and clean while the replacement is positioned. Check the new IBC's tamper seals and valve before connecting. Don't refill the empty from another source; reused IBCs are a common route for contamination.
A daily habit worth starting today: whoever last uses the IBC each day closes the valve, fits the cap, hangs the nozzle and checks the lid is tight. It takes thirty seconds and prevents most outdoor contamination.
How Liquidia can help
Liquidia supplies AdBlue in 1,000 L IBCs with a timber or steel base, plus ready-made IBC bundles with a gravity feed kit, pump or spill kit. See the spill kits range for kits suited to AdBlue.