However, there is little knowledge about the differences between the types of urea available on the market, which can lead users to confuse their functions and make mistakes when producing derivatives of this substance.

In this article, we will talk about the main differences between automotive urea and agricultural urea and we will also explain more about the importance of urea in the production of various compounds.

Table of Contents

What is urea?

What is urea used for?

Differences between automotive urea and agricultural urea

Is urea toxic?

You can read the article in sequence or select the topic of your preference above.

Happy reading!

What is urea?

Although the human body is a producer of urea, the urea in question is called industrial urea, because the substance can be produced in industries, and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. The element is produced from carbon dioxide (CO2) and ammonia (NH3), and its final form contains approximately 46% nitrogen (N). The product is sold in the form of white pearls, which are soluble in water, alcohol and other substances.

In general terms, urea is a chemical compound that serves as a raw material for several other industrial functions. Each of the functions requires a specific reformulation of the compound, and if it is used incorrectly, several problems can arise.

What is urea used for?

Urea has many applications in the production of several other compounds, and its differences are much greater than just the differences between automotive urea and agricultural urea. Currently, the substance is widely used in the following industries:

Cosmetics

Urea is widely used in the cosmetics industry, serving as one of the raw materials for the production of moisturizers, ointments, creams, shampoos, conditioners, among others. Its use is due to the moisturizing power of this substance (when properly handled).

Military

A variation of this substance, urea nitrate, is a chemical compound that serves as an explosive stabilizer, that is, this substance is also used in the manufacture of explosive weapons, being present in the military industry.

Pharmaceuticals

To further increase the range of uses of this compound, urea is also widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. Urea is present in this industry, acting not only in creams with dermatological functions, but is also present in some medicines.

Livestock

Also very important and widely used, urea is used in high demand in the livestock industry, acting as a source of proteins that serve as feed for ruminants. However, the substance used in this industry is only livestock urea, which is marketed with specifications regarding its functions. The use of other types of urea in this industry is not only prohibited but can also cause severe harm to the health of animals.

Agricultural

The urea used in the agricultural sector is called urea fertilizer. This compound acts, as its name suggests, as a highly efficient fertilizer for greater productivity in plant cultivation. Its main purpose is to supplement the amount of nitrogen present in the soil, which favors planting.

Automotive

For the automotive sector, the urea used is high-purity urea, or as it is also called: premium urea. This urea is mainly used in the manufacture of compounds such as Arla 32, a substance that acts to reduce pollutant emissions from automobiles, essential for all vehicles that run on diesel.

Differences between automotive urea and agricultural urea

Agricultural urea is a substance with its own characteristics, the purpose of which is to fertilize the soil and increase its nitrogen content, with the aim of improving agribusiness results.

On the other hand, the urea used in the automotive sector is an extremely pure urea, the so-called premium urea. Since this substance is used in the production of additives that aim to reduce automotive pollution rates, the substance must be as pure as possible, to avoid causing effects contrary to those expected.

Arla 32

Arla 32 is the main automotive compound that is produced from premium urea, which makes up approximately 32% of the additive (a value that explains the 32 in the name). The differences between automotive urea and agricultural urea do not allow the latter to be used in the production of Arla 32, but some producers insist on manufacturing it, which can lead to poor results.

The name Arla is an abbreviation for “Automotive Nitrogen Oxide Liquid Reducing Agent”, and its use is mandatory in diesel-powered trucks, as the compound serves to reduce the emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.

You can read more about Arla 32 by clicking here

Since Arla 32 is basically produced by combining automotive urea with demineralized water, the practice of using fertilizer urea with demineralized water is common among those who wish to produce their own “Arla 32”. What actually happens is that fertilizer urea does not produce the same effects as automotive urea, meaning that the substance created does not act in the same way as Arla 32, but in the opposite way, increasing pollutant emissions.

Is urea toxic?

Although it is not flammable or explosive, urea in some of its forms is a toxic substance, and therefore some precautions must be taken with regard to these compounds. Follow:

Livestock urea

Urea used to feed ruminants has a level of toxicity. For this reason, it is necessary that environments that feed their animals with urea frequently monitor the consumption of this substance, avoiding poisoning of the animals and damage to the environment.

Automotive urea

Another difference between automotive urea and agricultural urea is that automotive urea, used in the production of Arla 32, is not toxic in this scenario. That is, Arla 32 is a non-toxic substance that does not cause harm to human health or the environment.

Agricultural urea

Used as a fertilizer, some concentrations of this type of urea are also toxic, and therefore skin contact should be avoided. If this happens, don’t panic, but it is important to wash the area properly with antiseptic soap and running water. If anyone who has come into contact with the substance notices any difference in the area of ​​contact, they should seek medical help.

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