Question

During conversion of ammonium carbamate into urea, presence of large excess of water:

• A. does not affect the yield of urea
• B. reduces the evaporator load by diluting the urea solution
• C. increases the yield of urea
• D. adversely affects the yield of urea

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

adversely affects the yield of urea

Ammonium carbamate is produced as an intermediate in this reactor and can then be dehydrated to urea according to the following equation:

$N{H}_{2}C{O}_{2}N{H}_4⟶N{H}_{2}CON{H}_2+H_{2}O$

It is a reversible reaction so if large excess water is present, the reaction will move in the backward direction thus reducing the yield of urea production.