Urea Types: Prilled and Granular

29 Apr.,2024

 

Urea Types: Prilled and Granular

Two types of urea include prilled and granules are widely used as fertilizers. They are produced from the reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide.

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These types of urea differ in two cases:

  • Physical properties
  • Applications 

This article will help you select the right urea types by understanding the differences between prilled and granular urea.

Prilled Urea

Prilled urea is a form of nitrogen-rich solid fertilizer that has the ability to dissolve quickly in water.

Prilled urea is more commonly used today to resist breaking down when mixing with other fertilizer components like Potassium chloride.

It is also known as ice melting or deicing urea since it can reduce ice efficiently, even at very low temperatures ( -6 ◦C) .

Physical Properties

Small particles of prilled urea are in spherical shape. They have a larger surface area compared to granular urea which causes water to interact with it better and leading to faster dissolution.

One of the challenges with fertilizer is that it breaks down or evaporates when it rains. 

The urea prill has a high resistance. This makes urea fertilizer remain longer and we don’t need to use fertilizer in short periods of time.

 Prilled Urea Applications

  • Direct application to soil or through irrigation systems as a nitrogen fertilizer
  • Utilization in NOx control systems for nitrogen oxide control in diesel engines 
  • Use as a nitrogen component in the production of liquid or suspension fertilizers solutions 
  • Snow melting on runways
  • Use in cattle feed
  • Use in pharmacology

Granular Urea

Granular urea is the same as prilled urea that has the highest nitrogen (46% content) among solid fertilizers. 

It can be applied directly to the soil or mixed with other fertilizers like phosphate and potash to create a complete food mix for plants. 

This type of urea can be easily applied using conventional spreading equipment. 

Physical Properties

Granular urea has bigger particles and an uneven shape. It is stronger than prilled urea and less likely to break.

It releases nitrogen slowly. It can be a rich source of nutrients for plants. You can check the Urea page, to read the granular urea specifications.

Granular Urea Application

  • Raw material for other fertilizers production
  • Manufacturing of melamine used in melamine-methanal resins (used for the synthesis of melamine through a chemical reaction involving urea and formaldehyde.)
  • Formation of important resins (urea-formaldehyde resin)
  • Use in reducing air pollution from diesel engines in cars, buses, and lorries



Urea TypesSizeColorShapeHardnessSolubility OdorPrill Urea1-2.4 mmWhite or Light Gray Spherical SofterHighly SolubleOdorlessGranular Urea2-4 mmWhite IrregularHarderHighly SolubleOdorless



In this article, we explained different types of urea. If you have any questions about other differences that we did not cover, please leave a comment.

What is The Difference Between Prilled And Granular Urea

Prilled urea and granular urea are two types of solid nitrogen fertilizers that are used in agriculture. They are produced from the reaction between ammonia and carbon dioxide.

These two types of urea differ in two situations:

  • Physical properties
  • Applications 


This article will help you select the right urea types by understanding the differences between prilled and granular urea.

CONTENTS

Prilled Urea

Prilled Urea Physical Properties

Prilled Urea Applications

Granular Urea

Granular Urea Physical Properties

Granular Urea Application

 

Prilled Urea

Prilled urea is a form of nitrogen-rich solid fertilizer that has the ability to dissolve quickly in water.

Prilled urea is more commonly used today to resist breaking down when mixing with other fertilizer components like Potassium chloride.

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It is also known as ice melting or deicing urea. The benefits of using prilled urea over other de-icing products include its non-corrosive nature, biodegradable property, and efficiency in very low temperatures such as -6 Celsius degrees. Moreover, it does not usually damage concrete, lawns, and shrubs of metals.

 

Prilled Urea Physical Properties

Small particles of prilled urea are in spherical shape, offering a larger surface area than granular urea. This increased surface area facilitates better interaction with water, resulting in quicker dissolution.

Fertilizers often face challenges such as breakdown or evaporation during rainfall. However, urea prills exhibit high resistance, allowing the urea fertilizer to persist for longer periods without the need for frequent reapplication.

 

Prilled Urea Applications

Crop Fertilization: Prilled urea is commonly used as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for a wide range of crops. It provides a readily available nitrogen source for plants, promoting healthy growth and higher yields.
Soil Amendment: It helps improve soil fertility by providing nitrogen, which is essential for the synthesis of proteins, chlorophyll, and enzymes in plants.
Greenhouse Cultivation: It's used in greenhouse cultivation to ensure controlled and efficient nitrogen delivery to plants.
Livestock Feed Additive: Urea is used as a source of protein in livestock feed. It provides a high nitrogen content and aids in the digestion of fibrous materials.
Chemical Industry: Prilled urea is utilized in various chemical processes as a raw material in the production of resins, adhesives, and certain plastics.
AdBlue Production: Urea is a key component in the production of AdBlue, a diesel engine additive used to reduce harmful emissions.
Water Treatment: Urea is used in some wastewater treatment processes to remove pollutants like nitrate from water sources.
The versatile nature of prilled urea makes it an essential component in multiple industries, primarily due to its high nitrogen content and ease of application.

Granular Urea

Granular urea is the same as prilled urea that has the highest nitrogen (46% content) among solid fertilizers. This substance is produced from ammonia and carbon dioxide. Typically, granular urea has the highest nitrogen content among solid nitrogen fertilizers. We can apply granular urea as it is. But sometimes, people add it after mixing it with phosphate and potash fertilizers. Most often, granular urea can be seen as a part of the total nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) plant food mix. Since it is a granular form of urea, we can apply it directly to the soil via conventional spreading equipment. We can say that this is the most common form of nitrogen fertilizer all around the world.

 

Granular Urea Physical Properties

Granular urea, characterized by larger and irregularly shaped particles, exhibits greater strength compared to prilled urea, reducing the likelihood of breakage. This form gradually releases nitrogen, serving as a substantial nutrient source beneficial for plant growth.

 

Granular Urea Application

  • Raw material for other fertilizers production
  • Manufacturing of melamine used in melamine-methanal resins (used for the synthesis of melamine through a chemical reaction involving urea and formaldehyde.)
  • Formation of important resins (urea-formaldehyde resin)
  • Use in reducing air pollution from diesel engines in cars, buses, and lorries.

 

Attribute

Prill Urea

Granular Urea

Size

1-2.4 mm

2-4 mm

Shape

Spherical 

Irregular

Solubility

Highly Soluble

Highly Soluble

Odor

Odorless

Odorless

Hardness

Softer

Harder

Color

White or Light Gray

White

 

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