Urea production

1. Manufacturing of Urea

2. What is Urea?
A nitrogen-rich compound with formula CO(NH2)2 , primarily used as
fertilizer.
Produced by combining ammonia and carbon dioxide
Revolution in chemistry
Rejection of vital force theory.
Synthesis of urea by Fredrick wholer in 1828.
Fredrick wholer method
Prepared urea by heating ammonium cyanate in lab.
NH4OCN (NH2)2CO

3. Application of urea
Fertilizer Applications
1. Crop nutrition: Provides nitrogen for plant growth.
2. Soil fertility: Improves soil health and fertility.
3. Increased yields: Boosts crop production.
Industrial Application’s
1. Manufacturing: Production of plastics, resins, and adhesives.
2. Textiles: Fabric treatment and dyeing.
3. Paper industry: Paper production and processing.
4. Animal feed: Protein supplement for livestock.

4. Raw Materials needed for urea
production
Ammonia
Synthesis by Haber Process using Nitrogen
from Air and Hydrogen from from natural
Gas.
Provides nitrogen essential for urea
formation.
Carbon dioxide
Typically sourced as by product from
ammonia plant.
Supplies carbon and oxygen for Urea.

5. Urea Preparation Method(Bosch-Meiser process)
Overall reaction
Urea is produced when ammonia (NH ) reacts with carbon dioxide (CO ) under high
₃ ₂
pressure and heat.
Reaction occurs in a high-pressure reactor where ammonia and CO are combined to
₂
initiate the processure and heat.
2 NH3 + CO2 NH2CONH2 + H2O
Reaction Steps
1. Formation of Ammonium Carbamate
In the first chamber, ammonia and CO react to form ammonium
₂ carbamate.
NH3 + CO2 NH2COONH4
2. Conversion to Urea
This mixture flows to a second part of the reactor, where the carbamate dehydrates to
produce urea.
NH2COONH4 NH2CONH2 +H2O

6. Optimal Conditions
Temperature: 170-200°C
Pressure: 140-200 bar.
High pressure is needed to keep ammonia and CO₂
together for the reaction.
Key Points
 Urea production releases heat, so cooling is
essential to prevent overheating.
 Consistent control of temperature and pressure is
critical for safety and efficiency.

7. Making the Process More Efficient
Controlling the temperature and pressure is very important for good
results.
Keeping the reaction fast and the product pure helps make urea more
efficiently.
Catalysts can be added in the reactor to make the reaction happen faster
without changing the final urea.
Inhibitors are used to stop unwanted side reactions, so the urea produced is
purer.
Heat recovery systems capture and reuse extra heat in the plant, helping to
lower energy costs.

8. EQUIPMENT AND
TECHNOLOGY IN UREA
SYNTHESIS

9. KEY EQUIPMENT
STRIPPER:
Removes unreacted ammonia and CO2 from Urea
solution.
REACTOR:
Here, ammonia and CO2 react under high
pressure to form urea.
EVAPORATOR:
Concentrates the urea solution by removing
water.
PRILLING TOWER:
Converts the concentrated urea solution into solid
granules.

10. Role of High-Pressure Technology in Urea
Synthesis
Increased reaction rate
Favorable equilibrium shift
Improved conversion

12. Environmental Impacts
Water Pollution
Urea can contaminate water sources, harming
aquatic life.
Soil Degradation
Overuse of urea can acidify soil, reducing
fertility.
Air Pollution
Urea production releases nitrogen oxides
(Nox), contributing to air pollution.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Urea production generates carbon dioxide
(CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), potent
greenhouse gases.

13. Waste Management
Effluent Treatment
Treat wastewater from urea production
to remove pollutants.
Sludge Disposal
Manage solid waste generated during
production.
Gas Emissions Control
Capture and treat gases like ammonia,
CO2 and Nox.
Waste Minimization
Implement recycling and reuse
practices.

14. Global Market Demand
and Economic Impact
Global Demand: Asia uses over 60% of the world’s urea, mainly for farming
in countries like India and China.
Main Use in Farming: About 90% of urea produced goes into fertilizers,
which help grow food.
Impact on Prices: Changes in urea prices can make food costs go up or down
worldwide, affecting many countries.

15. Future Trends in Urea
Manufacturing
Eco-Friendly Changes: New methods reuse CO in urea production to cut
₂
down pollution.
Slow-Release Fertilizers: These types of urea slowly release nutrients,
helping plants use them better and reducing waste.
Smart Technology: Using advanced machines and AI can make urea
production faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly.

16. Thank You