What is Urea Nitrogen?

Urea nitrogen is a natural byproduct of protein consumption. Agriculturalists, physicians, environmentalists and everyday consumers have a vested interest in urea. They produce it, they use it and they study it.

  1. Urea Nitrogen in Humans

    • Doctors measure urea nitrogen levels in humans to determine how well the kidneys function.

      High urea levels in the blood indicate poor kidney function as one of the kidney's functions is to remove urea from the blood.

    Urea Nitrogen in Ruminants

    • Ruminants (mammals that chew cud) are often fed grain supplemented with urea nitrogen. The urea nitrogen helps build proteins made from non-essential amino acids. Non-essential amino acids are proteins that can be used for growth of the animal. Thus, urea is important for healthy livestock.

    Urea Nitrogen in Soil

    • Excess urea nitrogen is excreted by mammals in urine. The urea nitrogen then seeps into the soil and is consumed by plants which use the nitrogen for photosynthesis. Most fertilizers have high urea content.

    Urea Nitrogen Manufacturing

    • Urea can be manufactured industrially as well by using ammonia/carbon dioxide technology. Under pressure and in a high temperature, ammonia and carbon dioxide react, creating ammonia, ammonium carbamate and urea. The urea is crystallized and removed and the ammonia and carbamate are recycled back into the reactor.

    Urea Nitrogen and Automobiles

    • As of 2010, many diesel engines will be equipped with urea tanks in order to meet EPA guidelines. The nitrogen in the urea binds with the carbon dioxide and decreases emissions.