Experimental synthesis of an automotive grade urea solution for Diesel combustion engine vehicles applied as an additive for the reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions according to EURO regulations

This study shows the synthesis of the automotive grade urea solution additive or AdBlue, from granulated urea from the ammonia and urea petrochemical plant (PAU), as a proposed secondary application to this raw material. The YPFB urea characterization analysis showed the following results: nitrogen content of 46.2%, apparent density 719.33 kg/m3, Biuret content 0.93% w/w and Formaldehyde content 0.61% w/w. The additive was characterized according to ISO 22241:2019, obtaining the following results: urea concentration 32.5%, density 1092 g/ml, refractive index 1.3836, Biuret 0.31% w/w, aldehydes 2816.80 mg/kg, pH 9.4 at 20 °C and alkalinity 0.007% w/w, that except for the Biuret and Aldehydes content, the additive is framed within specifications of said standard. The performance of the additive synthesized in Univalles ́s chemistry and petroleum laboratories under the name Blue Truck