Description
Urea solution (CO(NH2)2) is an aqueous solution of this organic chemical compound. It is a colorless or slightly yellowish liquid with a characteristic ammonia odor. Due to its versatile use and mild properties, urea solution is a popular ingredient in various industrial processes. It is available in the following concentrations: 30%, 32.5%, 40% and 45%. The 32.5% concentration is often used for AdBlue production, depending on the content of the biuret (organic condensation product of urea HN(CONH2)2. ‘AdBlue’ refers to a 32.5% urea solution used in the automotive industry as a reducing agent enabling the decomposition of nitrogen oxides in the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) catalyst, reducing environmental pollution. The biuret content in the AdBlue solution cannot exceed 0.6%.
Urea undergoes hydrolysis in the presence of urease, which is important both for living organisms and in medical diagnostics. In addition, it reacts with acids, forming salts. It also undergoes the biuret reaction, in which biuret is produced by heating urea. It can then be used for the biuret test, enabling the chemical detection of proteins. Urea is also used to produce perurea through a reaction with hydrogen peroxide. In the soil, urea undergoes conversion to ammonia and nitrate, which are used as nutrients by plants.
