Fertiliser Technology - Engineering

Q1:

In the manufacture of urea, the intermediate chemical formed is

A biuret

B ammonium carbamate

C ammonium carbonate

D none of these

ANS:B - ammonium carbamate

In the manufacture of urea, the intermediate chemical formed is ammonium carbamate. The synthesis of urea involves several steps, starting with the reaction between ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to form ammonium carbamate (NH2COONH4). This reaction is carried out under high pressure and temperature conditions in the presence of a catalyst. Ammonium carbamate is an intermediate compound in the urea production process. The chemical equation for the formation of ammonium carbamate from ammonia and carbon dioxide is as follows: NH3+CO2→NH2COONH4NH3​+CO2​→NH2​COONH4​ Once formed, ammonium carbamate undergoes further reactions, including dehydration, to yield urea (CO(NH2)2), the final product of the urea manufacturing process. Therefore, ammonium carbamate serves as an important intermediate in the synthesis of urea.