CHI-LIN CHEMICAL FERTILIZER PLANT CHI-LIN, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010024-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 12, 2008
• Sequence Number: 24
• Publication Date: May 1, 1971
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010024-6
Top Secret
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
.Basic Imagery Interpretation Report
Chi-lin Chemical Fertilizer Plant
Chi-lin, China
Top Secret
DATE
COPY
PAGES
1 - , / - 7 1
25X1
MAY 1971
X1.17
9
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
UTM COORDINATES
52TCDO32670
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
43-55-30N 126-32-38E
RCS - 13/0048/71
USATC, Series 200. Sheet M0290-3HL. 3rd ed. Jul 65. Scale 1:200,000
(SECRET
The primary function of the Chi-lin Chemical Fertilizer Plant is the
production of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Secondary products include nitric
acid, ammonia, oxygen and possibly sodium nitrate.
This site originally contained a synthetic fuels plant. In June 1962,
when the site was first seen on photographic coverage, most of the equipment
appeared to have been removed from the synthetic fuels plant, and the
fertilizer plant had been constructed in its place and was in operation. By
May 1965, the production capacity of the fertilizer plant had been increased
by the addition of an ammonia absorption tower, gas purification facilities,
a nitric acid unit, a prilling tower and a relief gasholder. Also, a possible
air separation building to provide additional nitrogen had been added and an
electrolysis building had been constructed in the probable heavy water plant
to provide by-product hydrogen. Between May 1965 and October 1967, a drying
and storage building was constructed possibly for the recovery of sodium ni-
trate. By January 1971, the ammonium nitrate warehouse and the possible sodium
nitrate drying and storage building had been enlarged.
Since June 1962, the plant has been seen operating on 25 coverages
including the latest photography in January 1971. During this period,
activity could not be determined on three coverages and the plant was not
operating on II coverages.
This report includes a photograph, a process flow chart, a line drawing
of the plant, and a chronological summary of'construction and operational
status.
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NEGATION DATE (If required)
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Chi-lin Chemical Fertilizer Plant is located in the Chiang-pei Industrial
Complex, about 6 nautical miles north of the center of Chi-lin, Kirin Province
(see Figure 1). Steam e plant by the nearby Chi-lin Heat
and Thermal Power Plant Electric power is received from 25X
the regional grid through a collocated transformer substation. The adjacent
Chi-lin Probable Heavy Water Plant provides one of the 25X1
sources of hydrogen to the plant.
A synthetic fuels plant was originally located on the site of the present
fertilizer plant. It used the Bergius process to produce synthetic fuels.
Most of the equipment appeared to have been removed from the synthetic fuels
plant and it was no longer operating when the site was first observed on
photography of June 1962. The chemical fertilizer plant was reportedly begun
in the first half of 1955. 1/ Many of the buildings and some of the equip-
ment from the synthetic fuels plant are presently being utilized in support of
the fertilizer plant.
Physical Features
The plant occupies about 355 acres in an area measuring approximately
4,480 by 3,455 feet (see Figures 2 and 3). It is secured by a wall. The
plant is served by a rail spur from the Chi-lin to Chiao-ho rail line and
by a good road network.
Operational Functions
The primary function of this plant is the production of ammonium nitrate
fertilizer. Secondary products include nitric acid, ammonia, oxygen and
possibly sodium nitrate. In 1962, the plant used two processes to obtain
gas for ammonia sythesis. Nitrogen and hydrogen were obtained from water
gas. Additional synthesis gas was obtained by producing hydrogen from
producer gas and nitrogen from air separation. Between June 1962 and
May 1965 a third source of synthesis gas was added. Hydrogen was obtained
by electrolysis of water and nitrogen was obtained by an additional air
separation building. The process flow for the plant is shown in Figure 4.
Reports from various sources have indicated that methanol, Capron (a
synthetic fiber material), and dry ice are also produced at this plant. 1-4/
The specific facilities for these products have not been identified from
photography. However, materials necessary for their production are available
as a result of other production processes within the plant and they could
be produced in the unidentified areas (Areas B and F).
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Construction Chronology
In June 1962,4when the plant was first seen on overhead photography, it
was complete and operating in all production areas. By May 1965, the produc-
tion capacity of the fertilizer plant had been increased about 50 percent by
the addition of an ammonia absorption tower, gas purification facilities, a
nitric acid unit, a prilling tower and a relief gasholder. Also, a possible
air separation building to provide additional nitrogen had been added and an
electrolysis building had been constructed in the probable heavy water plant
to provide by-product hydrogen. By October 1967, a drying and storage build-
ing had been constructed possibly for the recovery of sodium nitrate from
the nitric acid unit. By January 1971, the ammonium nitrate warehouse and
the possible sodium nitrate drying and storage building had been enlarged.
Minor support buildings have been added since June 1962. The chronology of
construction is shown in Figure 3.
Operational Status
The plant was in operation on photography of June 1962. Of 39 coverages
since that time, the plant was in operation on 25 coverages through January
1971. This was indicated by vapors from the prilling towers, retorts, nitric
acid unit, and possible sodium nitrate unit and by fluctuations in the number
of rail cars observed in the shipping area. On three coverages activity could
not be determined. On 11 coverages the plant was not in operation, possibly
due to seasonal variations in the production of fertilizer.
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Map
US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0290-3HL, 3rd edition, 25X1
1. CIA. FDD Summary 1596, Weekly Information Report 182 (from Jen-min
Jih-pao, Peiping), 16 December 1957 (OFFICIAL USE ONLY)
2. CIA. FDD Summary 1596, Weekly Information Report 182 (from Kung-jen
Jih-pao, Peiping), 16 December 1957 (OFFICIAL USE ONLY)
3. USAF. AIIR 326-58, Kirin Fertilizer Plant, 17 February 1958
(UNCLASSIFIED)
4. KhoIodil'naya Tekhnika No. 5, Equipping and Putting Into Operation
of the First Dry Ice Plant in People's Republic of China,
A. Tezikov, 1959 (UNCLASSIFIED)
Requ i rement
COMIREX N02
Support Number 429228
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