AdBlue filter Urea filter module

membraneheavy-dutyfor construction equipment

Overview
In construction and agricultural machines, urea filters must offer high performance under heavy workloads. MANN+HUMMEL has developed a new, compact urea filter module designed to meet these special requirements and to provide reliable protection for Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems.

Purpose and benefits
The module ensures fast system start-up, robust operation, coordinated service intervals and efficient protection for the urea feed pump. It addresses common contamination risks (e.g. contaminated filling environment, insufficient tank ventilation) and rising thermal management demands in off-highway applications.

Venting (suction-side operation)
The module can be used in suction-side applications where the pressure can fall below ambient. A patented hydrophobic venting membrane prevents wetting by the urea solution and continuously directs air away to the clean side, avoiding loss of liquid level and reduced filter performance. The membrane design is selected according to air sensitivity and the critical system pressure of the SCR system; selection is validated on a dedicated test bench to match dirt-holding capacity to the application.

Installation position and serviceability
Depending on customer requirements the filter module can be fitted upstream (suction side) or downstream (pressure side) of the SCR unit. The module can be positioned outside the urea tank at a more accessible location to enable quick and easy access during servicing.

Structure of the urea filter module

• 1 Coolant outlet
• 2 Urea outlet
• 3 Venting membrane
• 4 Hydraulic heater
• 5 Compensation element
• 6 Coolant inlet
• 7 Urea inlet
• 8 Compensation element
• 9 Filter element

Reliable function at low temperatures
To handle freezing risk (urea solution expansion), MANN+HUMMEL uses patent-protected compensation elements made from EPDM foam to minimize compressive forces on the filter housing. For defrosting and thermal readiness of the SCR system the module offers either an electric heater (fast, immediate output on cold start) or a hydraulic heater (slower but does not burden the electrical system). Choice depends on machine version and economic considerations.

Applications and adoption
The compact urea filter module is aimed at off-highway vehicles such as construction and agricultural machines. It represents a flexible, self-sufficient filtration solution to protect SCR systems and help meet current and future exhaust gas standards; customers plan to equip vehicles with engines above 4.5 liters engine capacity with this module.

Technical specifications

• Application: urea / AdBlue filtration for SCR systems in construction and agricultural machines
• Key components: filter element, venting membrane (hydrophobic), compensation elements (EPDM foam), heater (electric or hydraulic)
• Installation: suction-side upstream or pressure-side downstream of SCR; module can be mounted outside the urea tank for service access
• Venting: patented hydrophobic membrane preventing wetting and directing air to the clean side
• Thermal management: electric heater (fast warm-up) or hydraulic heater (no electrical load)
• Low-temperature protection: patent-protected EPDM foam compensation elements to accommodate freeze expansion
• Design validation: venting membrane and dirt-holding capacity selected on a dedicated test bench to meet customer/system pressure requirements
• Target engines: intended for heavy-duty/off-highway machines; referenced adoption for engines >4.5 L
• Main benefits: improved SCR start-up time, robust operation, matched service intervals, feed pump protection, contamination control