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UREA

Urea is a white crystalline substance with chemical formula CO(NH2)2. It is highly water soluble and has about 46% nitrogen

There is one urea plant located on the Point Lisas Industrial Estate. This urea plant is entirely owned by PCS Nitrogen Trinidad Ltd and it has a capacity of approximately 710, 000 metric tonnes (MT) of urea per annum.

The urea plant was commissioned in 1983 using the Snamprogetti technology from Italy. The ammonia-stripping urea process involves a high ammonia [NH3] to carbon dioxide [CO2] ratio in the reactor, ensuring the high conversion of carbamate to urea. The ammonia and carbon dioxide are fed into the reactor at high temperature and pressure, and the urea is formed in a two step reaction:

2NH₃ + CO₂NH₂COONH₄ (ammonium carbamate)

NH₂COONH₄H₂O + NH₂CONH₂ (urea)

The urea solution is then concentrated and granulated for use as a fertiliser and chemical feedstock for export.
Granular urea is generally larger than prilled urea , with both having the same  composition. The larger granular size provides greater granular strength and minimum fines, dust and powder and losses in the air. With the majority of the urea produced by PCS Nitrogen Trinidad Ltd being exported, these superior qualities of the granular urea are ideal.
Urea formaldehyde (which acts as an anti-caking agent) is then added to the urea melt to restrict the tendency of the urea granules to absorb moisture. The granular urea is then sent to the bulk warehouse where it is stored under controlled temperature and humidity.

Please refer to the link below for a more detailed description of the urea process: http://www.potashcorp.com/media/pdf/about/PCS_Trinidad_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Urea must be handled with care at all times. A typical MSDS for urea can be found at the link given below: http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/u4725.htm