The Introduction of Urea

A Urea is a white dry organic compound and a crystalline substance and has minimum of 46% Nitrogen calculated in dry state.  Also known as carbamide, is an organic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, with the formula CON2H4 or (NH2)2CO.

Urea is produced commercially from two raw materials, ammonia and carbon dioxide. Large quantities of carbon dioxide are produced during the manufacture of ammonia from coal or from hydrocarbons such as natural gas and petroleum derived raw materials. This allows direct synthesis of urea from these raw materials.

Urea has a number of advantages over other nitrogen fertilizers. Urea is safer to ship and handle, it is less corrosive to equipment, it has a higher analysis than any other dry nitrogen fertilizer and it can be used on virtually all crops. Urea can be stored and distributed through conventional systems. It can be applied in many different ways from sophisticated aerial application equipment to a farm spreading urea by hand. Urea is also highly water soluble so it moves readily into the soil. The high analysis means a reduced transportation and application cost per kilogram of nitrogen.

The Process of Urea

Urea is made by reacting carbon dioxide (CO2) with anhydrous ammonia (NH3) under pressure of 3000 psi and temperatures of around 350 deg F. Water is removed during processing and the molten matter is either converted to prills or into granules.                                2NH3+CO2→(NH2)2CO+H2O

Shape OF Urea

It is generally supplied in prills or crystals/grains. Although the colour of urea is white but the crystals are larger than prills. 

Commercial Production 

Urea is a nitrogen-containing chemical product which is produced in excess of 140,000,000 tons per year worldwide, of which more than 90% of world production is destined for use as a fertilizer. Urea is produced commercially from synthetic ammonia and carbon dioxide. Urea can be produced as prills, granules, flakes, pellets, crystals and solutions. Urea has the highest nitrogen content of all solid nitrogeneous fertilizers in common use (46.4%N.) which is the highest concentration dry nitrogen fertilizer available. It therefore has the lowest transportation costs per unit of nitrogen nutrient.Urea is highly soluble in water and is therefore also very suitable for use in fertilizer solutions (in combination with ammonium nitrate: UAN), e.g. in “foliar feed’ fertilizers. Solid urea is marketed as prills or granules. The advantage of prills is that in general they can be produced more cheaply than granules which, because of their narrower particle size distribution have an advantage over prills if applied mechanically to the soil. Properties such as impact strength, crushing strength and free-flowing behaviour are particularly important in product handling, storage and bulk transportation.

Industrial Use 

 Urea's commercial uses include:

• 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.
• 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 flavour.
• Sometimes used as a browning agent in factory-produced pretzels.
• As an ingredient in some hair conditioners, facial cleansers, bath oils and lotions.
• It is also used as a reactant in some ready-to-use cold compresses for first-aid use, due to the endohermic reaction it creates when mixed with water.
• Active ingredient for diesel engine exhaust treatment AdBlue and some other SCR systems.
• Used, along with salts, as a cloud seeding agent to expedite the condensation of water in clouds, producing precipitation.

  Specifications for Prilled Urea 46%N:

Prilled, Free Flowing, Treated against caking, 100% free from harmful substances.

Specifications for Granular Urea 46%N:

Free Flowing, Treated against caking, 100% free from harmful substances.

Urea Physical properties 
- Appearance : White spherical particle           - Mol. weight : 60.06           - Sp.Gr(20°C) : 1,335 
- Bulk density : 0.74g/ml                                  - Melting point : 132.7°C     - Specific(Cal/g°C):0.344(0°C)

- Molecular Formula : (NH2)2CO CAS NO. 57-13-6     

- Manufacturing Process: 2NH3+CO2→(NH2)2CO+H2O

 Urea is sold in shipload quantities (minimum 12,500 mt).   We ship the product in three (3) modes:

• In50 Kg ,500kg/bag,1000kg/bag Wpp Bags With Inner Polythene Liner 
• 50 kg “poly” Bags wet proofed for ocean freight/shipping new 2 ply woven bags, polypropylene outside and polyethylene inside
• In50 Kg ,500kg/bag,1000kg/bag Wpp Bags With Inner Polythene Liner 

The Buyer must descript the packing or packaging method in the delivery schedule within thirty (30) days of signing the contract.    Any changes to these initial packing or packaging instructions thereafter can only be done with sixty (60) days notice prior to the scheduled shipment.

Packaging in 50 kg bag will have markings using English Language of seven (7) lines in black colour on one side with the word “UREA” to be printed in double size of other six (6) lines.  Price includes cost of custom artwork and lettering on bags, however Buyer to provide draft wording and logo artwork.   Sample as below: