Urea or Nitrogen 46% is an organic crystalline solid with a low melting point. It is white and odorless which is highly soluble in water. Urea is derived mainly from natural gas and petroleum feedstocks, making it a petrochemical product.
Urea is not acidic or alkaline. Its density is 1.32 g/cm³ at room temperature.
Urea is mostly used in agriculture as fertilizer. It contains large amounts of Nitrogen, which is essential for plants.
Urea formula is CO(NH2)2 that you can see its chemical structure in the below:
If you are interested in knowing more about urea, read this article.
Urea was first synthesized in a laboratory by the German chemist Friedrich Wöhler in 1828.
He prepared urea as an organic material from ammonium cyanate as a mineral substance.
The basic process of urea production was named Bosch-Meiser in 1992.
In the industry, urea is prepared from the combination of ammonia and carbon dioxide at high pressure and high temperature.
Currently, there are different methods for producing urea.
There are various methods to produce urea. Below, the two methods of urea production are explained:
First ammonia and carbon dioxide react under high temperature and high pressure, then ammonium carbamate is formed, then it decomposes into urea and water.
In this process, Nitrogen and Hydrogen gasses react under high pressure and high temperature in the presence of an iron catalyst, then ammonia synthesis. Finally urea is produced through a process called the Bosch-Meiser urea process.
This is the most important method to produce urea, because Nitrogen in the atmosphere is used in this method.
First, ammonia and carbon dioxide react together to produce ammonium carbonate. Then urea and water are formed from it.
There are several methods to concentrating the urea solution such as vacuum concentration, evaporation, and crystallization. In this stage, melted urea turns into solid urea.
Then in the solid formation stage, two models of solid urea such as granular and prilled are made.
To produce granular urea, the molten urea is placed on the plate and cooled. Then, it is produced by crushing the compound into particles with a diameter ranging from 1 to 4 mm. This form of urea has gained popularity in agriculture due to its ability to resist moisture and its suitability for various applications in this field. To know more about granular urea physical characteristics, you can check the urea 46 specification.
But to produce prilled urea, drops of molten urea are sprayed from the prill tower. Prilled urea is smaller than granular urea, making it easier to handle, transport, and use. It is used to produce plastics, resins, and adhesives. The diameter of prilled urea can range from 0.85 to 2.8 mm.
Next is the screening stage. In this step, the particles are screened with the appropriate size. Some of the urea is prepared for packaging and some will be loaded as bulk.
If you require more information about prill and granular urea, check the page Urea Type.
The table below provides the specifications for urea:
Urea is one of the most important Nitrogen-containing fertilizers in the world that can be used in the agriculture industry.
Nitrogen plays a significant role in plant growth. It is one of the essential substances in farming.
It is necessary for the production of chlorophyll and amino acids. The lack of nitrogen in the soil will limit the plant growth.
Urea-formaldehyde resin is used in the production of multi-layered plastic products such as kitchen tables and adhesives.
This material is formed from the reaction of urea and formaldehyde, which has high strength, stability, and durability.
Urea or Nitrogen 46% is used as a raw material for the production of urea-based diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). This fuel additive is used in diesel engines to reduce harmful emissions of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx).
Urea can be used in soaps and washing powders as a softening and conditioning agent for the skin and fabrics. In soap production, urea can help to increase the lather and make the soap softer and more moisturizing.
Urea can also be used as a plasticizer in adhesive formulations to improve the adhesive’s flexibility and viscosity.
Other urea applications are coloring and industrial printing, teeth whitening, additives for a cigarette, flame-proofing agents, and so on.
Read Urea Applications article to know the urea uses in other industries.
The advantages of urea are as below:
Urea has a high Nitrogen content of 46%, which reduces expenses related to storage, transportation, and handling when compared to other dry Nitrogen forms.
Urea production does not release many pollutants into the environment.
When used correctly, urea’s efficiency is higher than other Nitrogen products such as potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, etc.
Urea is a safe fertilizer to use, as it does not pose a significant fire or explosion risk, making it a reliable fertilizer.
Despite the advantages of urea, this material also has disadvantages that we need to know about.
One of the disadvantages of urea is its volatility. It means that urea can easily evaporate in the atmosphere.
The volatility of urea can reduce the effectiveness of fertilizer performance.
Urea can react with soil and reduce soil pH by producing ammonium. This causes damage to the plant.
Urea is not considered a significant threat to aquatic life. If it is not used properly, it can contribute to water pollution. When used as a fertilizer, urea can transform into other chemicals that may end up in groundwater or surface water.
When urea is used as a fertilizer, it can release ammonia gas into the air. Ammonia gas can be harmful to human health and the environment. Using special forms of urea can help reduce the risk of ammonia emissions.
Urea is a corrosive substance, it can damage the skin and eyes. On the other hand, it can explode under certain conditions like high temperatures. So it should be handled carefully.
To store the urea, it is necessary to pay attention to the below cases:
If urea is exposed to moisture, it can absorb water and become lumpy, this condition is called caking. Lumps of urea can make it difficult to spread the fertilizer on the soil. At high temperatures, urea can decompose into ammonia gas.
Moisture and high temperature cause a decrease in urea efficiency in agriculture. so, this product should be kept in a dry and cool place.
Urea can react with some chemicals like nitrate, chlorine, and acidic materials. Its reaction can cause the release of toxic fumes, fire or explosions.
Urea should be stored in containers that are resistant to corrosion and leakage. Containers should be tightly closed to prevent moisture.
Protect the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. This includes safety glasses, gloves, and a respirator mask if necessary.
If it is hit during handling, it may spill and cause contamination.
The equipment should be clean and free of contaminants to prevent any chemical reactions or contamination.
It is important to follow all safety guidelines when handling urea to minimize any health effects.
It can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system if inhaled in high concentrations. Use appropriate respiratory protection when working with urea.
It can cause skin irritation, redness, and itching if it comes into contact with the skin. Wear appropriate protective clothing, including gloves and coveralls, when handling urea.
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