What Is Granular Urea?
Granular urea is a concentrated nitrogen fertilizer made in the form of small, uniform granules. It is known for its excellent solubility, easy application, and high nitrogen content, making it a valuable input in various sectors. Granular urea is widely used because of its long shelf life, low dust, and suitability for controlled-release fertilization.
At iranpetroexport, we offer premium-quality granular urea that meets international standards, ensuring optimal performance and consistent results for our customers. In addition to granular urea, iranpetroexport specializes in supplying a range of petrochemical products including mazut, diesel, fuel oil, and paving bitumen, catering to diverse industrial and agricultural needs. Whether for agricultural use or bulk industrial demand, our expertise in supply and export positions us as a trusted partner.
How Is Granular Urea Produced?
Granular urea is produced through a controlled industrial process that transforms molten urea into solid granules. The process begins with the reaction of ammonia and carbon dioxide to form urea in liquid form. This liquid is then fed into a granulation unit where it is sprayed onto seed particles and tumbled in a rotating drum or fluidized bed system.
As the liquid urea builds up on the particles, it gradually hardens and forms larger, rounder granules. These are then cooled, screened for size uniformity, and coated with anti-caking agents to prevent clumping during storage. The final product is granular urea, known for its durability, low dust content, and efficient nutrient delivery in agricultural use.
Granular Urea Specifications
Granular urea is widely appreciated for its consistent quality and physical properties, making it a preferred choice among farmers and industries. Understanding its specifications helps in assessing its suitability for different applications and ensuring optimal nutrient delivery to crops.
Some of the key specifications of granular urea include :
- Nitrogen Content
Granular urea typically contains about 46% nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth and development. This high nitrogen concentration makes it one of the most efficient fertilizers for boosting crop yields.
- Particle Size
The uniform granules generally range between 2 to 4 millimeters. This consistency allows for even spreading in fields, helping to optimize nutrient distribution.
- Moisture Content
Low moisture content, usually less than 1%, prevents caking and ensures long shelf life. This feature is important for storage and transportation.
- Bulk Density
Bulk density typically varies from 0.75 to 0.85 g/cm³, affecting how the fertilizer is handled, transported, and applied in agricultural settings.
- Solubility
Granular urea dissolves quickly in water, providing a fast release of nitrogen to the soil, which is crucial for immediate nutrient uptake by plants.
- Dust Content
Granular urea produces minimal dust, improving safety for workers and reducing product loss during handling.
These specifications ensure that granular urea can be effectively used in various fertilization methods, including broadcasting, side-dressing, and fertigation.
Understanding these characteristics also helps manufacturers maintain product consistency and farmers optimize their fertilizer programs for better crop yield.
Uses of Granular Urea
Granular urea is a widely used nitrogen fertilizer known for its high nutrient content and ease of use. It plays a vital role in agriculture by improving crop yields and enhancing soil fertility. Beyond agriculture, this versatile compound has important applications in various industries due to its chemical properties and cost-effectiveness.
Main Uses :
- Fertilizer in Crop Production
- Soil Nutrient Management
- Animal Feed Supplement
- Industrial Raw Material
- Water Treatment
- Manufacture of Adhesives and Resins
1- Fertilizer in Crop Production
Granular urea is extensively applied as a nitrogen source for many crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and vegetables. Its granular form allows for even distribution in the field, which promotes uniform plant growth. Nitrogen from urea is essential for chlorophyll production and photosynthesis, directly influencing crop quality and yield.
2- Soil Nutrient Management
Using granular urea helps maintain optimal nitrogen levels in the soil, which supports healthy microbial activity and nutrient cycling. This contributes to long-term soil fertility and productivity, making it a preferred choice for sustainable farming practices worldwide.
3- Animal Feed Supplement
In animal nutrition, granular urea serves as a non-protein nitrogen source especially beneficial for ruminants like cattle and sheep. It enhances microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, leading to improved digestion, weight gain, and milk production.
4- Industrial Raw Material
Granular urea is a key ingredient in the chemical industry for producing various compounds such as urea-formaldehyde resins and adhesives. Its chemical stability and high nitrogen content make it suitable for manufacturing products used in construction, textiles, and plastics, where energy sources like mazut are sometimes utilized in production processes.
5- Water Treatment
Granular urea is used in some water treatment processes to remove nitrogen compounds from wastewater. It acts as a nitrogen source for denitrifying bacteria that help reduce harmful nitrates, thereby improving water quality.
6- Manufacture of Adhesives and Resins
Urea is a fundamental component in producing adhesives and resins used in wood products and laminates. Granular urea’s consistent quality ensures reliable chemical reactions, resulting in durable and high-performance bonding materials.
Benefits of Using Granular Urea
Granular urea is widely favored by farmers and industries due to its numerous benefits. Its high nitrogen concentration, typically around 46%, provides an efficient nutrient source that supports rapid plant growth and improves crop yields. Additionally, granular urea is easy to store, handle, and transport, making it a practical choice for large-scale agricultural operations. Its versatility also allows it to be used in various industrial applications beyond farming, further increasing its value.
Some of the key benefits include cost-effectiveness, uniform nutrient distribution, and reduced nitrogen loss when applied correctly. These advantages contribute to healthier plants, better resource management, and overall improved productivity for users.
Key Benefits of Granular Urea :
- High nitrogen content for effective fertilization
- Easy handling and storage
- Cost-efficient compared to other nitrogen fertilizers
- Uniform granule size ensures even nutrient distribution
- Reduced nitrogen volatilization when applied properly
- Versatile use in both agriculture and industry
Which Is Better: Granular Urea or Prilled Urea?
Choosing between granular urea and prilled urea depends largely on your specific agricultural or industrial needs. Each type of nitrogen-based fertilizer comes with distinct characteristics that make it more suitable under certain conditions.
Granular urea has larger, more uniform particles that offer greater resistance to wind and moisture. It spreads more evenly when applied mechanically and is preferred for large-scale farming operations.
Prilled urea, on the other hand, is finer in texture and dissolves more quickly in soil. This makes it ideal for lighter soils and drip irrigation systems. Additionally, it is often more economical than granular urea.
In conclusion, neither form is universally better than the other. The ideal choice depends on your application method, environmental conditions, and budget.
Best Practices for Applying Granular Urea
Applying granular urea effectively is essential to maximize its benefits and minimize nitrogen loss. Proper timing, method, and environmental considerations play a crucial role in achieving optimal results. Farmers should apply granular urea close to the plant root zone to enhance nitrogen uptake and avoid surface losses due to volatilization. Incorporating the fertilizer into the soil or irrigating soon after application can significantly improve efficiency.
Additionally, splitting the total nitrogen dose into multiple applications during the growing season helps maintain consistent nutrient availability. Monitoring soil moisture and weather conditions before and after application ensures the fertilizer is utilized effectively without wastage. In agricultural operations that rely on diesel-powered machinery, efficient urea application can also contribute to reducing overall fuel consumption. By following these best practices, users can improve crop yields while reducing environmental impacts.
Chemical Composition of Granular Urea
Granular urea is a highly concentrated nitrogen fertilizer composed mainly of nitrogen and carbon-based compounds. Its chemical composition plays a vital role in its effectiveness as a nutrient source for plants. The granules are designed to dissolve quickly in soil moisture, releasing nitrogen that supports plant growth and development. Understanding the precise chemical makeup helps in optimizing its use in agriculture and industry.
Key Chemical Components:
- Nitrogen (N)
- Carbon (C)
- Hydrogen (H)
- Oxygen (O)
- Trace Elements (varies by source)
The high nitrogen content, usually around 46%, is the primary reason for its widespread use in agriculture. The carbon and hydrogen components form the urea molecule’s backbone, while oxygen is part of its molecular structure. Some granular urea products may also contain trace elements that enhance nutrient availability or product stability. Overall, the chemical composition of granular urea ensures it is an efficient and cost-effective fertilizer.
Is Granular Urea Environmentally Friendly?
Granular urea, as a nitrogen fertilizer, plays a crucial role in modern agriculture by boosting crop yields. However, its environmental impact depends largely on how it is used. When applied correctly, granular urea can minimize nitrogen losses to the environment and reduce pollution risks. Efficient application methods help limit nitrate leaching into groundwater and reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.
Nevertheless, improper use or over-application of granular urea can contribute to soil acidification, water contamination, and air pollution. Therefore, adopting best management practices is essential to ensure that the environmental footprint of granular urea remains as low as possible while maximizing its agricultural benefits.
Conclusion
Granular urea is a powerful and versatile nitrogen fertilizer, valued for its balanced granule size, high solubility, and effective nitrogen release. Its uses span both agricultural and industrial sectors, helping improve crop yields and support various chemical processes. With proper application and storage, it offers a reliable, efficient, and environmentally conscious solution — making it a top choice worldwide in the field of nitrogen-based fertilizers. In some industrial operations, granular urea is even used alongside fuel oil to optimize energy production or processing efficiency. In conclusion, understanding and using granular urea correctly is key to maximizing its benefits.