Urea
Urea is also known as carbamide. This amide has two amine groups to one carbonyl functional group. Urea plays an important role in the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds in animals. Urea is the main nitrogen-containing substance in mammalian disease.
Pure solid urea is colorless and highly soluble in water and non-toxic. This chemical compound is soluble in water and insoluble in acid and alkali. The body uses this substance in many processes, including nitrogen consumption.
Applications of urea in various industries
This material is mainly used in the production of solid fertilizers, liquid fertilizers, animal feed supplements, plastics and adhesives. Nitrogen is one of the essential and important substances for the growth of plants, and one of the best sources for providing this element in plants is urea. Among nitrogenous compounds, urea has the highest production volume among different materials. The use of this material is constantly increasing and it is considered as the best nitrogen fertilizer in the world.
Urea in agriculture:
More than 90% of the industrial production of this substance in the world is used as a nitrogen-releasing fertilizer. Many soil bacteria have urease enzyme that catalyzes its conversion to ammonia (NH3) or ammonium ion (NH+4) and bicarbonate ion (HCO-3). Therefore, urea fertilizers are quickly converted into ammonium form in the soil.
Urea in the chemical industry:
This combination is a raw material for making two main classes of materials:
Urea-formaldehyde resins
Urea-melamine-formaldehyde used in marine plywood.
Urea in explosives:
This substance can be used to prepare urea nitrate, an explosive substance that is used industrially and as a part of some explosives. It is a stabilizer of nitrocellulose explosives.
Urea in automotive systems:
It is used to reduce NOx pollutants in exhaust gases.
In the catalytic converter, ammonia resulting from the hydrolysis of urea reacts with the release of nitrogen oxide and turns into nitrogen and water.
Vehicles using these catalytic converters must provide diesel exhaust fluid, a solution of urea in water.
Laboratory use of urea:
This substance in concentrations of up to 10M is a powerful protein excreting substance. This property is used to increase the solubility of some proteins.
Medical use of urea:
Creams containing medicinal urea are used as topical skin products to strengthen body water. It has also been investigated as a diuretic.
Other uses of urea:
Other uses of this substance include the following:
The use of medicinal urea in cosmetic products (moisturizing cream, hair conditioner, shampoo, and hair dryers)
Production of urea formaldehyde resin, urea formaldehyde, melamine and urea nitrate
In fire extinguishers as a fire resistant agent
As a yeast nutrient for fermenting sugars to ethanol
Anticorrosive alternative to antifreeze salt
A rich source of hydrogen in fuel cells
Reduction of nitrogen oxide pollutants
Using medicinal urea in teeth whitening products
as synthetic protein
Fabric dyeing and printing
Diagnosis of kidney function
in the cultivation of cereals and cotton
Dishwashing Liquid
humidity absorber
Animal feed
gardening
Uses of medicinal urea:
Medicinal urea causes hydration and is mainly used topically in the treatment of ichthyosis and hyperkeratotic skin disorders. In intravenous use, it has osmotic diuretic properties similar to mannitol and is used in the treatment of acute increase in intracerebral pressure.
Cases caused by cerebral edema and also used to reduce intraocular pressure in acute glaucoma. It is used intra-amniotically in the termination of pregnancy. In local use, this drug has hydrating and keratolytic properties. Medicinal urea is used to diagnose Helicobacter pylori infection.
Dangers of Urea (MSDS Urea)
This substance can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory system. Frequent or long-term contact of the skin with fertilizers containing urea causes dermatitis. Pure urea with high concentration in the blood can be harmful. The presence of small amounts of this substance, like the amount of urea in human urine, is not dangerous. Swallowing a small amount of this chemical compound with plenty of water for an acceptable amount of time is not dangerous.
The amount of this substance in the urine of animals is more than that of humans, and this amount can be dangerous. This combination can cause algal blooms and lead to poison production. The presence of this substance in the soil obtained from the land containing fertilizers can play an important role in increasing the bloom of toxic algae.
Urea decomposes when exposed to heat and heat above its melting point, producing toxic gases and reacting violently with strong oxidants, nitrites, mineral chlorides, chlorites, and perchlorates, causing fires and explosions.
Safety guide for working with urea
Generally, materials are divided into three categories including high, medium and low toxicity in terms of toxicity. The type of dealing with the substance from the safety point of view depends on the toxicity and physical form of the substance. The most dangerous way to enter the toxic substance into the body is the respiratory system, so proper ventilation systems must be set up. In conditions of moderate toxicity, the use of normal masks works, and the presence of ventilation systems along with personal protective equipment can be more effective. Under conditions of low toxicity, the risk is eliminated.
Urea fertilizer in agriculture (for saffron and citrus fruits)
This fertilizer is a very suitable source for all kinds of plants, including saffron and citrus fruits. In saffron cultivation, granular fertilizer is generally spread on the soil after harvesting the flowers and before the second stage of irrigation. In citrus fruits, fertilizer is usually added to the soil in three stages, and the amount of fertilizer given to the tree in different stages is almost the same. Fertilization can be done with both liquid and solid fertilizers. Urea fertilizer has many properties. Today, this fertilizer is widely used in agriculture, and for this reason, it has received attention.
Characteristics of urea chemical fertilizer:
This organic fertilizer has the following characteristics:
This fertilizer can be said to have replaced ammonium nitrate.
Urea has 46% nitrogen.
It is used as an additive for animal feed and fertilizer.
It is the most widely used fertilizers.
Urea is produced from the reaction between liquid ammonia and carbon dioxide.
This fertilizer is highly effective in Asia due to the numerous rice fields. Urea fertilizer is one of the most widely used fertilizers.
Introduction of urea chemical fertilizers:
Urea is one of the chemical fertilizers widely used by farmers for soil fertility and plant growth in Iran. In general, this fertilizer can be divided into three types:
Urea fertilizer: This type of fertilizer has 26% nitrogen. This fertilizer is suitable for lawns because of its acidification.
Urea fertilizer with sulfur coating: this fertilizer has 35% nitrogen. It is acidic and recommended for light soils. Its price is reasonable and it is resistant to washing.
Urea fertilizer: contains 46% nitrogen and is suitable for most soils. This type of fertilizer is not acidic.
Benefits of urea chemical fertilizer
It improves product performance.
Urea reduces environmental pollutants.
The presence of 46% nitrogen in urea helps to reduce transportation costs.
Urea does not catch fire.
Urea is used in both soluble and solid forms.
(Packaging: 50 kg bags, jumbo bag and bulk)
