Urea Fertilizer

History Of Urea
Urea was first discovered in 1773 by ROVELE in urine

In 1828 Friedrich Wohler, accidently accomplished the first synthesis of known

organic compound urea

He produced urea (NH₂CONH₂), by evaporating to dryness a solution of

ammonium cyanate

NH₄OCN NH₃ + HNCO NH₂CONH₂

(Ammonium Cyanate) (Urea)

In 1870, Urea as produced by heating ammonium carbamate in a sealed tube

Urea is excreted through human urine and on an average 25 to 30 grams of urea

are excreted by an adult in 24 hours

It hydrolyzes very slowly to ammonium carbamate and eventually decomposes

to ammonia manufactured by direct dehydration of ammonium carbamate ,

NH₂COONH₄ at elevated temperature and pressure

Ammonium carbamate is obtained by direct reaction of ammonia and carbon

dioxide

The two reactions are usually carried out simultaneously in a high pressure

reactor
Properties Of Urea

F o rmula NH₂CONH₂

Molecular Weight 60.06

Nitrogen Content 46.65 %

Melting point 132.7 ºc (1 atm)

Colour White

Heat of Solution 60 Kcal/kg (132.7 ºc)

Specific Heat 32 Kcal/kg ºc (20 ºc)

Uses Of Urea

As a nitrogenous fertilizer

Resin manufacturing (Urea formaldehyde)

Cattle feed (as a protein source)

Blending of urea with herbicides (Penta chloro-phenol , PCP)

Urea is also used as a softener for various cellulose products including glassine,

Cellophane paper and cellulose sponge

Urea is also used as an additive to reduce the viscosity of glue, gelatin e.t.c
 Uses of Urea

• As a component of fertilizer and animal feed, providing a relatively

cheap source of fixed nitrogen to promote growth.

• As a raw material for the manufacture of plastics specifically, urea-

formaldehyde resin.

• As a raw material for the manufacture of various glues (urea-

formaldehyde or urea-melamine- formaldehyde). The latter is
waterproof and is used for marine plywood.
 Uses of Urea
• As an alternative to rock salt in the deicing of roadways and runways.
It does not promote metal corrosion to the extent that salt does.

• As an additive ingredient in cigarettes, designed to enhance flavor.

• Sometimes used as a browning agent in factory.

• As an ingredient in some hair conditioners, facial cleansers, bath oils

and lotions.
 Uses of Urea

• As a clean burning fuel for motor vehicles and stationary engines.

• Active ingredient for diesel engine exhaust treatment, As a NOx-

reducing reactant in diesel exhaust.

• to make urea nitrate, a high explosive

 Uses of Urea

• Used, along with salts, as a cloud seeding agent to expedite the

condensation of water in clouds, producing precipitation.

• The ability of urea to form clathrates (also called “loose

compounds” ) was used in the past to separate paraffins.
Snamprogetti Process

Urea Plant
T h e urea production process takes place through the following main
operations,

Urea synthesis and high pressure recovery

Urea purification and low pressure recoveries

Urea pre-concentration and concentration

Urea Prilling

Process Condensate Treatment

 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Urea is produced from NH3 & CO2 in two equilibrium reactions:

• The urea manufacturing process are designed to maximize these reactions while
inhibiting biuret formation:

• This reaction is undesirable, not only because it lowers the yield of urea, but because
biuret burns the leaves of plants. This means that urea which contains high levels of
biuret is unsuitable for use as a fertilizer.
Manufacturing process of Urea
 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Step 1 - Synthesis
• A mixture of compressed CO2 and NH3 at 240 bar is reacted to form ammonium
carbamate. This is an exothermic reaction, and heat is recovered by a boiler which
produces steam.

• The first reactor achieves 78% conversion of the CO2 to urea and the liquid is then
purified.

• The second reactor receives the gas from the first reactor and recycle solution from the
decomposition and concentration sections. Conversion of CO2 to urea is approximately
60% at a pressure of 50 bar in the second reactor.

• The solution is then purified in the same process as was used for the liquid from the first
reactor.
 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Step 2 - Purification
• The major impurities in the mixture at this stage are water from the
urea production reaction and unconsumed reactants (NH3, CO2 &
ammonium carbamate). The unconsumed reactants are removed in
three stages.

• Firstly, the pressure is reduced from 240 to 17 bar

and the solution is heated, which causes the am

monium carbamate to decompose to NH 3 & CO2
 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Step 2 – Purification

• At the same time, some of the ammonia and carbon dioxide flash off.

• The pressure is then reduced to 2.0 bar and finally to -0.35 bar, with more ammonia and carbon
dioxide being lost at each stage.
• By the time the mixture is -0.35 bar a solution of urea dissolved in water and free of other
impurities.
• At each stage the unconsumed reactants are absorbed into the reactants which is recycled to the
secondary reactor. The excess ammonia is purified and used as feedstock to the primary reactor.
 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Step 3 - Concentration
• 75% of the urea solution is heated under vacuum, which evaporates off
some of the water, increasing the urea concentration from 68% w/w to
80% w/w. At this stage some urea crystals also form.
• The solution is then heated from 80 to 110oC to re- dissolve these
crystals prior to evaporation. In the evaporation stage molten urea
(99% w/w) is produced at 140oC.
• The remaining 25% of the 68% w/w urea solution is processed under
vaccum at 135oC in a 2 series evaporator arrangement.
 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Step 4 - Granulation

• Urea is sold for fertilizer as 2 - 4 mm diameter granules. These

granules are formed by spraying molten urea onto seed granules which
are supported on a bed of air.

• This occurs in a granulator which receives the seed granules at one end
and discharges enlarged granules at the other as molten urea is sprayed
through nozzles. Dry, cool granules are classified using screens.
 Manufacturing process of Urea
• Step 4 - Granulation

• Oversized granules are crushed and combined with undersized ones for
use as seed.

• All dust and air from the granulator is removed by a fan into a dust
scrubber and discharges the air to the atmosphere.

• The final product is cooled in air, weighed and conveyed to bulk

storage ready for sale.