Fertiliser

Prilled Urea and Granular Urea
Formula: Urea is widely used in the agricultural industry as an animal feed additive and fertilizer. With 46 % nitrogen, it is an efficient source of nitrogen in fertilizers. [NH₂CONH₂]

Prilled Urea

Prilled urea, or "prills" are formed by dropping liquid urea from a prilling tower into droplets that dry into roughly spherical shapes 1mm to 4 mm in diameter.

Granular Urea

Granular urea is chemically the same as prilled urea. Granular urea, however, is slightly larger and harder. Today, the use of prilled urea is more prevalent because it is more resistant to breaking down when being blended with the other components of fertilizer.

Description:
Urea is the most popular and economical of all nitrogenous fertilizers being used worldwide. Urea has a nitrogen content of 46%, a higher concentration than this is available in other solid sources of nitrogen. Unlike phosphate and potassium fertilizers, which normally require a single application, urea needs to be applied several times during the growing season. Urea is an ideal source of nitrogen for all kinds of crops (wheat, barley, rice, maize etc.) In addition, urea is a major raw material for melamine, and an important raw material for the manufacture of other industrial products.

Urea

Properties

Unit

Quantity / Description

 
Spherical shape   granules
Melting point °C around 132
Molecular weight amu 60

Granular Urea specifications

Properties

Unit

Quantity

 
Total nitrogen wt % 46 min
Biuret content wt % 1% max
Formaldehyde (HCHO) wt % 0.45 min
Crushing strength kg 2 min
Moisture wt % 0.5 max
Particle size wt % 2-4 mm....90% min
> 4 mm....7% max
+2.8 mm....60% min

Prilled Urea specifications

Properties

Unit

Quantity

 
Total nitrogen wt % 46 min
Biuret content wt % ≤ 1
Moisture wt % ≤ 0.5
Particle size wt % 1-2.8 mm....90% min

Hazards and safety

The product is relatively safe and chemically stable. When it decomposes it produces hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, oxides of nitrogen and carbon. As a dust, it may form an explosive mixture with air.

Applications

Broadcasting or in irrigation water (fertigation); best if split applied at least three times throughout the growing season; suitable for all crops across a wide range of environmental conditions.