Urea

Description

Urea Product Introduction

Among the elements known in nature, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the most effective for plant growth, and therefore some compounds containing these elements are used as chemical fertilizers in agriculture. Urea, with the chemical formula NH2CONH2, is the most well-known nitrogen fertilizer, and its advantages include compatibility with most plants, especially all grains, no change in soil salinity concentration, and leaving no salt compounds in the soil.

Over 70% of the total urea produced worldwide is used for agriculture, with the remaining amount used in the production of melamine powder, animal feed, medical applications, and other uses. This unit, with an annual production of 495,000 tons of prilled urea and an annual feedstock of 310,000 tons of ammonia and 200 million normal cubic meters of carbon dioxide, was designed under the license of Stamicarbon and commissioned in June 1996. Urea is produced through the reaction between liquid ammonia and carbon dioxide gas at a pressure of 143 kg/cm² and temperatures of around 170-180°C, via the following equilibrium reactions:

In the first reaction, which is exothermic and fast, ammonia and carbon dioxide convert into ammonium carbamate (NH2COONH4). In the second reaction, which is slow and endothermic, ammonium carbamate converts to urea (NH2CONH2) and water. Currently, the main target markets for exporting this product are Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, India, Colombo, and Malaysia.