Abstract: A urea synthesis process with improved heat economy, wherein a urea synthesis solution obtained by removing most of the unreacted ammonium carbamate by stripping with carbon dioxide at a pressure approximately equal to a urea synthesis pressure is subjected to a high and low pressure decomposition. The gas mixture obtained from the high-pressure decomposition is condensed in at least two steps.

Abstract: In a process for the production of urea, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a reaction space (1) from which comes out a reaction mixture subjected to stripping (2) to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8). From the recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8) it is obtained a dilute carbamate solution, which is subjected to stripping (9) with recycling of vapors to the reaction space (1) after condensation (6). This process achieves high conversion yield with reduced energy consumption and low implementation costs.

Abstract: A urea synthesis process with improved heat economy, wherein a urea synthesis solution obtained by removing most of the unreacted ammonium carbamate by stripping with carbon dioxide at a pressure approximately equal to a urea synthesis pressure is subjected to a high and low pressure decomposition. The gas mixture obtained from the high-pressure decomposition is condensed in at least two steps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide, the preparation being effected in whole or in part in a vertical combi-reactor. The gas stream leaving the stripper is fed to the condenser section of a vertical combi-reactor in which this gas stream is wholly or partially condensed in the carbamate stream which is transferred from the scrubber section to the condenser section via a downcomer. Ammonia and carbon dioxide are partially converted into urea in this condenser section of the combi-reactor. The urea conversion is completed in the reaction section of the combi-reactor.

Abstract: In the present process for the preparation of urea, an off-gas stream released during the synthesis of melamine in a high-pressure melamine process which consists predominantly of ammonia and carbon dioxide, is introduced into at least one high-pressure section of a urea stripping plant and is used in the synthesis of urea. The off-gas stream can be used directly without any further treatment.

Abstract: In a process for the production of urea, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a reaction space (1) from which comes out a reaction mixture subjected to stripping (2) to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8). From the recovery section (3, 4, 7, 8) it is obtained a dilute carbamate solution, which is subjected to stripping (9) with recycling of vapors to the reaction space (1) after condensation (6). This process achieves high conversion yield with reduced energy consumption and low implementation costs.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous modernization of a plant for ammonia synthesis and a plant for urea synthesis, provides—inter alia—the arrangement of a carbamate synthesis section and a carbamate decomposition section, in order to obtain a predetermined amount of carbamate in aqueous solution and of hydrogen and nitrogen in gaseous phase which are fed to the existing sections for urea synthesis, respectively ammonia synthesis. Thanks to this method of modernization it is possible to remarkably increase the production capacity and at the same time to reduce the energy consumption of the urea and ammonia plants without being forced to replace or anyway overload the existing sections of decarbonation, methanation and compression, in general.

Abstract: In a process for urea production, substantially pure ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a main reaction space from which outgoes a reaction mixture subjected to stripping to obtain a partially purified mixture sent to a urea recovery section. From this section, a dilute carbamate solution is obtained which is recycled to an auxiliary reaction space in which the residual carbamate is converted into urea. This process achieves high average conversion yield with reduced energy consumption.

Abstract: A method for the modernization of a plant for urea production of the type comprising a reactor (2) for urea synthesis, a stripping unit (3) with carbon dioxide and at least one vertical condensation unit (4) of the film type, foresees the provision of means (36) for feeding a major portion of a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase leaving the stripping unit (3) to the condensation unit (4) and the provision in said condensation unit (4) of means (37) for subjecting to substantially total condensation such major portion of the flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase, obtaining a flow comprising urea and carbamate in aqueous solution, then fed to the reactor (2) for urea synthesis. Thanks to the present method of modernization, the efficiency of the condensation unit (4) is remarkably improved, thus permitting an increase of its capacity.

Abstract: A process for the combined production of ammonia and urea of the type comprising an ammonia synthesis reactor (2), a urea synthesis reactor (5) and a urea recovery section (21) stands out for the fact of submitting at least a part of a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution coming from the urea recovery section (21) to a partial decomposition treatment, to obtain a flow comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in vapor phase and a flow comprising diluted carbamate in aqueous solution, which is fed together with a gas flow comprising hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide, preferably obtained by hydrocarbons steam reforming, and a flow comprising ammonia coming from the ammonia synthesis reactor (2) to a carbamate synthesis section (3), where ammonia and carbon dioxide are caused to react, to obtain a flow comprising carbamate in aqueous solution and a gas flow comprising hydrogen and nitrogen.

Abstract: An improved process for urea production as well as a method of retrofitting a pre-existing urea plant based on the Stamicarbon process are disclosed. According to the invention, a high yield reaction space fed by highly pure reagents (NH3 and CO2) and a separating section of the solution leaving the high yield reaction space are added to the pre-existing urea plant, means being provided for recirculating ammonia and carbammate solutions obtained in the separating section to the added high yield reaction space and to the pre-existing reactor respectively.

Abstract: Method for increasing the capacity of an existing urea process, the existing urea process comprising a reactor (R), a pressure-reduction section (SC) and a urea-recovery section (U), characterized in that(i) a stripping column (S) is added, in which ammonium carbamate from the reaction mixture is stripped with carbon dioxide or is thermally stripped at almost the same elevated pressure, resulting in a gaseous mixture (G1) and a liquid mixture (M4), which liquid mixture (M4) is fed to the pressure-reduction section (SC),(ii) a condenser (C) is added, which is fed with the gaseous mixture (G1), ammonia and optionally carbon dioxide, in which the gaseous mixture (G1) is condensed at almost the same elevated reactor pressure (P) and at least 30% of the equilibrium amount of urea obtainable under the condensation conditions is furthermore formed, in which a liquid mixture containing urea, water and ammonium carbamate (MS) is formed, which mixture is fed to the bottom of the existing reactor (R), and a gaseous mixt

Abstract: In the present process for the preparation of urea, an off-gas stream released during the synthesis of melamine in a high-pressure melamine process which consists predominantly of ammonia and carbon dioxide, is introduced into at least one high-pressure section of a urea stripping plant and is used in the synthesis of urea. The off-gas stream can be used directly without any further treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for synthesizing urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide while preventing corrosion of sites, that are to be in contact with a condensate, of the joints of a tube plate and cooling tubes in a condenser installed vertically or horizontally. According to this process, the sites, that are to be in contact with the condensate, of the joints of the tube plate and the cooling tubes in the condenser are prevented from corrosion by enveloping the sites with liquid ammonia or a solution rich in ammonia in the synthesis of urea comprising separating unreacted ammonia and carbon dioxide as a gaseous mixture thereof from a urea synthesis solution at a pressure substantially equal to the urea synthesis pressure, bringing the gaseous mixture into contact with an absorption medium in the condenser to form a condensate, and recirculating the condensate to the synthesis column.

Abstract: A vertical condenser is installed on or above a urea synthesis column to condense the mixed gas from the stripper by bringing it into contact with an absorption medium under cooling. A first down pipe for making the top part of the condenser communicate with the bottom part of the synthesis column is provided to allow the resultant condensate to flow down to the bottom part of the synthesis column by gravity. The condensate is subjected to urea synthesis together with feed ammonia or a part of feed carbon dioxide supplied thereto. The urea synthesis solution thus formed is introduced into the stripper by gravity through a second down pipe having an opening in the top part of the synthesis column. Unreacted ammonia and carbon dioxide are separated as the aforesaid mixed gas by the rest of the feed carbon dioxide and introduced into the bottom part of the aforesaid condenser so as to be condensed.

Abstract: Improved yield process for urea synthesis by starting from ammonia and carbon dioxide, comprising a reaction zone under high pressure and temperature conditions, a section wherein a portion of unreacted ammonia and carbon dioxide are stripped and recycled to the reactor, which section operates under substantially the same reactor pressure, and a subsequent section, operating under medium and/or low pressure conditions, for urea purification and simultaneous recovery of residual carbon dioxide and a portion of residual ammonia contained in the effluent stream from the stripping section, as an aqueous solution of ammonium carbamate, in which said aqueous ammonium carbamate solution is either totally or partially fed to said stripping section. Said process makes it possible a conversion of carbon dioxide into urea to be obtained in the reactor which is higher than 70%.

Abstract: A urea production process with high energy efficiency, in which the urea solution obtained from the synthesis stage is subjected to a first stage of high pressure thermal decomposition of the ammonium carbamate which has not undergone conversion to urea together with simultaneous self-stripping by excess ammonia, the gaseous products from said decomposition being condensed in two stages at different temperatures, in the first of which the heat is directly transferred to a second ammonium carbamate decomposition stage which is divided into two parts, namely a first thermal decomposition part and a second part consisting of adiabatic stripping with part of the carbon dioxide feed to the process.

Abstract: Urea is formed by the synthesis of ammonia with carbon dioxide at high pressure and temperature in an internal space of reactors through which flow a liquid phase cocurrently with a gas phase. The reactors are divided into compartments to avoid excessive mixing of the entire liquid phase and to allow the intermittent redistribution of the gas in bubbles of a suitable size for increasing the transfer of heat and mass between the two phases. At each passage from one compartment to the next, the liquid phase and the gas phase are made to flow on separate routes and are distributed in each compartment with a continuous, permanent, and even flow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for the preparation of urea, and in particular for urea obtained from ammonium carbamate formulated from carbon dioxide and ammonia at a pressure of about 125 bar to about 350 bar in a urea synthesis solution in a urea reactor. The reactor defines a horizontally arranged condensation zone and contains a heat exchanger. According to this process, NH.sub.3 and CO.sub.2 are supplied to the reactor and are largely absorbed into the urea synthesis solution. A substantial portion of the heat formed in the condensation is discharged by means of the heat exchanger. The residence time of the urea synthesis solution in the reactor preferably is selected so that at least about 85% of the theoretically obtainable amount of urea is prepared. Thereafter, the urea synthesis solution can be processed into a urea solution or solid urea.

Abstract: Improved yield process for urea synthesis by starting from ammonia and carbon dioxide, comprising a reaction zone under high pressure and temperature conditions, a section wherein a portion of unreacted ammonia and carbon dioxide are stripped and recycled to the reactor, which section operates under substantially the same reactor pressure, and a subsequent section, operating under medium and/or low pressure conditions, for urea purification and simultaneous recovery of residual carbon dioxide and a portion of residual ammonia contained in the effluent stream from the stripping section, as an aqueous solution of ammonium carbamate, in which said aqueous ammonium carbamate solution is either totally or partially fed to said stripping section. Said process makes it possible a conversion of carbon dioxide into urea to be obtained in the reactor which is higher than 70%.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of urea starting from ammonia and carbon dioxide, comprising a reaction step carried out in at least two distinct operating zones basically at the same pressure, but having a different operating temperature, the difference being preferably between 5.degree. and 60.degree. C., and subsequent separation steps of the non-converted reagents, wherein a gaseous stream is transferred from the first zone, at a higher temperature, to the second zone, at a lower temperature, and a liquid stream, containing urea and/or ammonium carbamate, is transferred from the second zone to the first, so that said gaseous stream is preferably at least 5% by weight with respect to the stream effluent from the first zone to the subsequent separation steps. This process allows a ratio urea/(urea+carbamate), in the stream leaving said reaction step, of more than 70%, to be obtained.

Abstract: An improved process for urea production as well as a method of retrofitting a pre-existing urea plant based on the Stamicarbon process are disclosed. According to the invention, a high-yield reactor with partial removal of the reaction heat and a urea recovery section of the solution leaving the high-yield reactor, are added to the pre-existing urea plant, means being provided for recycling unreacted ammonia and carbon dioxide vapors as well as a carbamate solution obtained in the urea recovery section to the pre-existing reactor.

Abstract: In a process of producing urea in which ammonia and carbon dioxide are reacted in a first reaction space (E-1, R-1) the unreacted carbamate present in the reaction mixture is subjected to a thermal decomposition treatment, so as to obtain ammonia and carbon dioxide which are sent to a second reaction space (R-2) in which they react with a solution of recycled carbamate coming from an urea recovery section (3). Advantageously, the regulation of the temperature and of the ammonia/carbon dioxide molar ratio in the second reaction space (R-2) is carried out by respectively regulating the temperature of the recycled carbamate solution and the temperature of the thermal decomposition treatment of the residual carbamate leaving the first reaction space (E-1, R-1).

Abstract: A process is described for the industrial synthesis of urea, making the ammonia (NH3) and the carbon dioxide (CO2) react, in at least one reaction space, at high pressures and temperatures and recycling at least in part the unreacted products obtained in a recycle section, characterized by: a) a synthesis reaction between reactants of high purity; and b) a synthesis reaction between less pure reactants, substantially recycled by the so-called recycle section.The corresponding new plant includes a reactor (R1) of high yield ("once through"), a reactor (R2) of lower yield and a section of recovery and recycle.The application of the process to preexisting plants requires the simple addition of a reactor of high yield and of pumping devices.

Abstract: Process for the industrial synthesis of urea, by reacting ammonia (NH.sub.3) and carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) in at least one reaction space, at high pressures and temperatures and by recirculating at least part of the non-reacted products obtained in a recovery section, characterized by the fact that the following takes place : a synthesis reaction A) between highly pure reagents, and a synthesis reaction B) between less pure reagents, substantially recycled from the said recovery section, the reaction A) being either of adiabatic type A1) or with partial reaction heat removal A2).

Abstract: A urea production process in which the urea solution produced in the reaction zone is treated in sequence with a first thermal decomposer at the same pressure as the reaction, to decompose part of the residual ammonium carbamate into its components, then with an adiabatic stripper in which the free ammonia is stripped with CO.sub.2 operating at a pressure which is 1-7 MPa less than the synthesis pressure, then with two further carbamate thermal decomposition stages at decreasing pressures. The gaseous products obtained from those stages at pressures less than the synthesis pressure are mixed with the recycle solutions from the downstream stages, condensed by heat transfer against said downstream stages, and then recycled to the reaction as liquid.

Abstract: Ammonium carbamate, in solution with urea, water and ammonia and under high temperature and pressure is cooled to below its crystallization temperature while being subjected to an elevated pressure. The crystallized substance formed is then dried, crushed, and pelletized with the aid of a binding agent to produce pellets having substantial strength and stability, and having particular utility as a deicer for roadways.

Abstract: Urea is formed by the synthesis of ammonia with carbon dioxide at high pressure and temperature in an internal space of reactors through which flow a liquid phase cocurrently with a gas phase. The reactors are divided into compartments to avoid excessive mixing of the entire liquid phase and to allow the intermittent redistribution of the gas in bubbles of a suitable size for increasing the exchange of heat and matter between the two phases. At each passage from one compartment to the next, the liquid phase and the gas phase are made to flow on separate routes and are distributed in each compartment with a continuous, permanent, and even flow.

Abstract: Process for the industrial synthesis of urea, in which ammonia (NH3) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are reacted in at least one reaction space SR at high temperature and pressure and the unreacted materials are treated in a recovery section, said synthesis comprising: a) a reaction between highly pure reagents; and b) a reaction between less pure reagents substantially recycled from said recovery section, characterized by the fact that reaction stage A for high Yield majority synthesis (HEPC), between very pure reagents, operating at a higher pressure (Pmax) for example above 300 kg/cm2 abs and preferably at about 400 kg/cm2 abs, is followed by a flash stage F1 operating at pressures lower by at least 40% than said pressure (Pmax) preferably lower than 200 kg/cm2 abs, the gas effluent GF1 from the above-mentioned flash stage F1 being fed to reaction stage B for minority synthesis of less pure reagents operating at a pressure below 200 kg/cm2 abs, while the liquid effluent EL1 from the abovementioned flash stage, to

Abstract: A process for the production of urea comprising the steps of reacting carbon dioxide and ammonia to form ammonium carbamate and subsequent decomposition of ammonium carbamate to form a reaction mixture comprising urea and water, wherein the reaction mixture is contacted with one side of a semi-permeable membrane, and a drying fluid capable of removing water and possibly other reaction products(s) from the reaction mixture is contacted with the other side of the semi-permeable membrane.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the concentration of an aqueous urea solution by evaporation of water in a single pass shell and tube heat exchanger having a substantially vertical tube bundle within the shell. The aqueous urea solution is introduced into the top of the vertical tube bundle and caused to fall as a film down the inside of said tubes whereby it is heated and water evaporated therefrom to form a concentrated urea solution. The heat for this evaporation is provided by condensing at least a part of a gas mixture containing NH.sub.3, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O in the shell side of the heat exchanger. This gas mixture is introduced into a lower portion of the shell wherein it is caused to flow upwardly in shell in contact with said tube bundle, counter-current to the flow of the aqueous urea solution within the tubes whereby heat from said condensation is transferred to said aqueous urea solution flowing down the inside of the tubes.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of urea in whicha urea synthesis solution containing carbamate and free ammonia is formed in a high-pressure part in a synthesis zone at an NH.sub.3 /CO.sub.2 molar ratio of up to 4:1, a temperature of at least 175.degree. C.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of urea in whicha urea synthesis solution containing carbamate and free ammonia is formed in a high-pressure part in a synthesis zone at an NH.sub.3 /CO.sub.2 molar ratio of up to 4:1, a temperature of at least 175.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide in which high yield reaction and optimal reactor heat balance control are achieved at the same time by using two reaction zones, where two different NH.sub.3 /CO.sub.2 molar ratios are maintained, and by treating the effluent from the second reaction zone in a separation treatment in two steps in series; the reactant gas stream discharged from the second treatment step is recycled, after partial condensation, to the first reaction zone, while at least part of the gas stream discharged from the first treatment step is recycled directly to the second reaction zone, the gas stream from both the first and second treatment step being so controlled as to obtain optimal NH.sub.3 /CO.sub.2 ratios and optimal reaction temperatures in the two reaction zones.

Abstract: A process for the displacement to the gaseous phase, at 80-250 Kg/cm.sup.2, of the excess NH.sub.3 contained in an aqueous urea solution, coming, at 150.degree.-230.degree. C., from a former stripping, isobaric with the urea synthesis, and containing also CO.sub.2 as ammonium carbamate. The CO.sub.2 is, at most, 25% b.w. of the urea, and the displacement is performed by means of a CO.sub.2 stripping within a falling-film exchanger, hereinafter called the CO.sub.2 stripper, isobaric too with said synthesis. The amount of carbamate leaving the bottom of said CO.sub.2 stripper is substantially equal to the amount of carbamate entering the same stripper. The global NH.sub.3 :CO.sub.2 ratio, in the solution entering the CO.sub.2 stripper, is from 2 to 8 b.w. and heat is supplied only to the uppermost portion of the pipes of the CO.sub.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide at an elevated temperature and pressure having a reaction zone and a stripping zone. In the reaction zone, carbon dioxide and a portion of the ammonia are converted to ammonium carbamate, and a portion of the ammonium carbamate is converted to urea, the combined conversions resulting in a net formation of heat. In the stripping zone, a urea product stream containing unconverted ammonium carbamate is heated by heat exchange with the reaction zone to decompose a portion of the ammonium carbamate. In the reaction zone, the conversion of ammonium carbamate into urea is continued until the quantity of urea formed is at least 50 percent of that quantity of urea that would be obtained at equilibrium under the reaction conditions present in the reaction zone.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of urea from carbon dioxide and excess ammonia at elevated temperature and pressure. The urea solution from the urea synthesis zone is heated and stripped at an elevated pressure to decompose a portion of the ammonium carbamate contained therein and the ammonium and carbon dioxide containing off-gas produced is condensed in a first condensation zone. The stripped urea solution is heated at a reduced pressure in a decomposition zone to decompose a further portion of ammonium carbamate, and the ammonia and carbon dioxide containing off-gas thereby produced is condensed in a second condensation zone to form an aqueous ammonium carbamate solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process of synthesizing urea including reacting ammonia and carbon dioxide at a urea synthesis pressure and temperature in a urea synthesis zone, separating excess ammonia and unreacted ammonium carbamate from the thus-obtained urea synthesis melt as a gaseous mixture containing ammonia and carbon dioxide, recirculating the gaseous mixture to the urea synthesis zone, and, on the other hand, obtaining urea from an aqueous urea solution which has been obtained by separating the excess ammonia and unreacted ammonium carbamate. The above process features ingeniously combined conditions of various process steps. It produces urea using less high-pressure steam and recovers less low-pressure steam. A stripping operation making use of carbon dioxide can be effectively incorporated in the above process. The above process permits to cut the construction cost of a urea synthesis plant.

Abstract: A process for the production of urea starting from ammonia and carbon dioxide in a NH.sub.3 /CO.sub.2 molar ratio of from 5/1 to 8/1, comprising the synthesis and decomposition of the ammonium carbamate contained in the solution of urea, in two steps; the first of these provides for ammonia as the stripping agent and the second for carbon dioxide as the stripping agent.In the process of the invention the synthesis and the decomposition in the first decomposition step are carried out at an equal or substantially equal pressure comprised between 180 and 250 atm., while the decomposition in the second step is carried out at a pressure of from 30 to 50 atm. lower than the pressure in the first step.

Abstract: In a synthesis of urea using ammonia in a highly excessive molar ratio, unreacted materials are decomposed and separated by subjecting the urea synthesis effluent to a stripping step using carbon dioxide at a pressure equal to the urea synthesis pressure. The thus-separated gaseous mixture of ammonia and carbon dioxide is condensed through an indirect heat exchange with an effluent stream discharged from the stripping step and lowered to a predetermined pressure level. Resulting condensation heat is used for the decomposition and separation of unreacted materials still remaining in said effluent stream. By choosing suitable operation conditions for each step of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of high pressure steam to be required and to minimize the amount of low pressure steam to be recovered.

Abstract: In a process in which a urea synthesis effluent obtained by reacting ammonia with carbon dioxide is subjected to a stripping step of bringing the urea synthesis effluent into countercurrent contact with carbon dioxide under heating to obtain an aqueous urea solution containing a small amount of ammonia and ammonium carbamate, the improvement comprises first bringing the urea synthesis effluent is into contact with a separated gas evolved in the stripping step under adiabatic conditions or with a little cooling. The use of the above process enables a reduction in size of the stripper and a recovery of the high pressure steam without keeping the ammonia to carbon dioxide molar ratio lower than that of the conventional method.

Abstract: In a urea producing method by synthesis, the improvement which consists in feeding liquid ammonia in excess to the reactor so that a urea solution which contains ammonium carbamate is produced, the carbamate is decomposed in a high-pressure decomposer and the stripping agent is an inert, oxygen-containing gaseous stream, the carbamate decomposition products are sent to a high pressure condenser and ammonium carbamate is formed, whereafter the carbamate is separated from the inerts and the solution of urea coming from the high-pressure decomposer is fed to a medium-pressure decomposer which is fed through its bottom with inerts. The heat for operating the medium-pressure decomposer is a hot condensate from the high-pressure-decomposer-heating steam, and the products of decomposition of the carbamate coming from the medium-pressure decomposer are sent to a medium-pressure condenser together with a solution of ammonium carbonate coming from the low-pressure sections of the installation.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing urea in which a urea synthesis effluent obtained by reacting carbon dioxide and ammonia at urea synthesis pressures and temperatures is subjected to stripping treatment with carbon dioxide under pressures substantially equal to urea synthesis pressures to separate the unreacted carbon dioxide and ammonia contained in the urea synthesis effluent as a gaseous mixture, and a sufficient amount of said gaseous mixture to maintain the urea synthesis temperatures at a predetermined level is recycled to the urea synthesis in the gaseous state, the balance being subjected to condensation to be recycled in the liquid state to the urea synthesis.

Abstract: An improvement in the cyclic process for producing urea wherein CO.sub.2 and NH.sub.3 are reacted in the presence of an aqueous ammoniacal solution in a urea synthesis reactor at an elevated temperature and at an elevated pressure in excess of 1800 PSIG to form a urea synthesis reactor effluent fluid at high pressure. The said effluent fluid is split into a minor stream and a major stream. The major stream is let down in pressure and then passed into a gas liquid separator wherein the gas stream rises through a packed midsection into the upper portion of the separator and is then taken off.