Question
How urea is manufactured?
Answer
In an autoclave ammonia and carbon dioxide are taken in 3:1 molar proportion, the mixture is heated to 170oC – 190oC at a pressure of 100 – 200 atmosphere to give ammonium carbamate (NH4COONH2) on reducing pressure this compound gives up water to produce urea.
2NH3 + CO2 → NH4COONH2 + Heat
NH4COONH2 → NH2CONH2 + H2O + Heat