CHU-CHOU NITROGEN FERTILIZER PLANT CHU-CHOU, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 12, 2008
• Sequence Number: 25
• Publication Date: June 1, 1971
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
Top Secret
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Basic Imagery Interpretation Report
Chu-chou Nitrogen. Fertilizer Plant
Chu-chou, China
Top Secret
RCS 13/0 39/7
25X1
DA JUNE 1971
cOPY 117
PAGES 7
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
TOP SECRET RUFF RCS - 13/0039/71
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
Chu-chou Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant
UTM COORDINATES
49RGA055850
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
27-52-40N 113-05-30E
MAP REFERENCE
ACIC. USATC, Series 200, Sheet M0498-1AL 2nd ed Se 60, Scale 1:200,000
(SECRET
The primary function of the Chu-chou Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant is the
production of prilled urea fertilizer. Secondary products include aqueous
and/or liquid ammonia. .
The plant was in an early stage of construction when first seen on good-
quality coverage in March 1962. The ammonia synthesis building was completed
between March 1962 and October 1966. By April 1968 the coal bunker building,
a gasholder, the urea production facility, the prilling tower, and the urea
warehouse had been added. The plant was essentially completed by February
1969 with the addition of the coal receiving and storage building, the coal
preparation building, the retort building, two gasholders, and numerous
support buildings. In January 1971, the coal receiving and storage building,
the coal bunker building, the urea warehouse, the gas purification facility,
and ammonia synthesis area were being expanded. The plant was first observed
in operation on photography of January 1971.
This report includes a photograph, a process flow chart, a line drawing
of the plant, and a chronological summary of construction and operational status.
2 25X1
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
Chu-chou Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant is located 3.5 nautical miles
northwest of the center of Chu-chou, Hunan Province (see Figure 1).
It is situated in a rapidly expanding industrial complex. FI rtrir
power is received from the Chu-chou Thermal Power Plant
Steam is provided by a collocated steam plant.
25X1
25X1
Two other plants in the industrial complex are the Chu-chou
Chemical Plant and the Chu-chou Nonferrous Metals 25X1
Plant 601 In addition, an unidentified production 25X1
facility is located adjacent to the southeastern boundary of the
plant.
Physical Features
The plant occupies about 86 acres in an irregular area measuring
approximately 2,280 by 2,230 feet (see Figures 2 and 3). It is served
by six roads and a spur from the Chu-chou to I-chia-wan rail line.
Operational Functions
The primary function of the plant is the production of prilled
urea fertilizer. Secondary products include aqueous and/or liquid
ammonia. Water gas is utilized as the feed material for the synthesis
of ammonia and as a source of carbon dioxide for the production of urea.
The process flow for the products is shown in Figure 4.
Construction Chronology
The plant was observed in the early stage of construction in March
1962. At that time, only three storage buildings, an unidentified produc-
tion building, and a support building were completed. Between March 1962
and October 1966, the ammonia synthesis building was completed, but little
progress was made elsewhere in the plant. Construction resumed after
October 1966 and by April 1968 the coal bunker building, a gasholder, the
urea synthesis building, urea prilling tower, and urea warehouse were
completed. The plant appeared externally complete on photography of
.February 1969 with the addition of the coal receiving and storage build-
ing, the coal preparation building, the water gas retort building, two
gasholders, and numerous support buildings. Only minor support buildings
were added between February 1969 and January 1971.
On photography of January 1971 the plant was undergoing expansion.
The coal receiving and storage building, the coal bunker building, and
the urea warehouse were being doubled in size. Additional expansion
was noted in the gas purification facility. The compressor section of
the ammonia synthesis building was also being expanded and a possible
third copper formate tower was lying on the ground near it.
Operational Status
The plant appeared externally complete in February 1969, but its
operational status could not be determined due to the small scale of
the photography. It was first observed in operation on photography
of January 1971. Vapors were coming from the retorts and the gasholders
were in the raised position. The operational status of the plant could
not be determined on small-scale photography of July, September, and
October 1969.
-3-
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
Iq
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
25X1
LDAI
TAD ( DGT DIMG
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
-7-
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
Map
ACIC. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0498-1AL, 2nd edition
September 1960. Scale 1:200.000 (SECRET
rement
COMIREX N02
Support Number 429219
25X1
25X1
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5
Top Secret
Top Secret
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010025-5