Characterization of urea hydrolysis in fresh human urine and inhibition by chemical addition

Abstract, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2017

Urea hydrolysis is a chemical reaction that occurs in soils, the human body, and in wastewater urine diversion systems. The reaction, which transforms the urea in urine into ammonia and bicarbonate, results in ammonia volatilization and mineral scaling in bathroom fixtures, piping, and storage tanks. Urea hydrolysis is inhibited through different chemical additions that affect the function of the urease enzyme. Bench-scale batch experiments were performed where urea hydrolysis was simulated by adding Jack bean urease to both synthetic and real, fresh human urine. Urea hydrolysis was characterized by measurements of urea concentration, ammonia concentration, conductivity, and pH over time. Conductivity was positively correlated with ammonia concentration and negatively correlated with urea concentration making conductivity a simple, surrogate measurement for tracking the extent of urea hydrolysis. Acetic acid, citric acid, and vinegar were effective at inhibiting urea hydrolysis at concentrations varying from 3.2 × 10¹ to 1.6 × 10² meq L⁻¹ in both synthetic and real, fresh urine as indicated by the conductivity and pH remaining constant throughout the experiments. Fluoride did not inhibit urea hydrolysis in real, fresh urine at concentrations of 3.2 × 10⁻², 3.2 × 10⁻¹, and 3.2 meq L⁻¹. Ionic zinc and ionic silver were ineffective inhibitors of urea hydrolysis due to interactions with phosphate and chloride in urine, respectively, which caused precipitative loss of the metals from solution.