METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR THE INTEGRATED PRODUCTION OF UREA AND MELAMINE

Disclosed is an integrated process for the production of urea and melamine, as well as a system for carrying out the process. The invention thereby pertains to an integrated process of the type wherein off-gas obtained from the production of melamine is entered into the process for the production of melamine, by condensation in the presence of water. A typical embodiment thereof is the condensation in the presence of an aqueous carbamate solution obtained from urea recovery. In accordance with the invention, said condensation takes place at a substantially lower pressure than the pressure at which the melamine off-gas is obtained. To this end, the pressure of the off-gas is reduced typically by 2-10 bar. In connection herewith, the system of the invention comprises a pressure reducing unit downstream of an outlet for the melamine off-gas, and upstream of a section for the condensation of the off-gas. The invention also includes a method for the modernization of an integrated system for the production of melamine and urea. This is accomplished by adding the aforementioned pressure reducing unit to a pre-existing system.