WANG-CHU-CHUANG NITROGEN FERTILIZER PLANT WANG-CHU-CHUANG, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 12, 2008
• Sequence Number: 52
• Publication Date: May 1, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
Top Secret
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
Basic Imagery Interpretation Report
Wang-chu-chuang Nitrogen Fertilizer.4Plant
Wang-chu-chuang, China
DATE
COPY
PAGES
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
Wang-chu-chuang Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant
UTM COORDINATES
50SPR124675
MAP REFERENCE
TOP SECRET RUFF
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
548th RTG. USATC, Series ?no- Sheet -
(SECRET
RCS.13/0059/72
OMIREX NO. NIETB NO. 25X1
The primary function of Wang-chu-chuang Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant is the
production of urea fertilizer. Aqueous ammonia is a secondary product. Gaseous
hydrocarbons from the nearby Wang-chu-chuang Petroleum Refinery provide the
feed materials for this production.
Initial construction activity for the plant was observed in December 1969.
Construction proceeded rapidly during 1970. Between November 1970 and January
1972 the rate of construction was slower. The plant appeared operational
in January 1972, but has not been observed in operation.
This report includes a photograph, a process flow chart, a line drawing
of the plant, a discussion of technical features, and a chronological summary'
of construction and operational status.
-1- 25X1
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
The Wang-chu-chuang Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant is located 10 nautical miles
east-southeast of the center of Tzu-po, Shantung Province (see Figure 1). The
adjacent Wang-chu-chuang Petroleum Refinery is the source of 25X1
gaseous feedstock and steam. Electric power is received from the regional,
grid through a nearby transformer substation.
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
The plant occupies 33 acres in a rectangular area measuring approximately
570 by 230 feet overall (see Figures 2 and 3). It is served by road and by a
rail spur from the Tzu-po to I-tu rail line.
Operational Functions
The primary function of the plant is the production of prilled urea
fertilizer. Aqueous ammonia is a secondary product. The adjacent refinery
supplies a gaseous hydrocarbon feedstock which is reformed and purified to
provide hydrogen and carbon dioxide for the fertilizer production. The
reforming probably occurs in both a primary and a secondary stage. The
nitrogen required is derived from ambient air. The oxygen in the air is
utilized to oxidize methane and carbon monoxide in the probable secondary
reformer, thus leaving the nitrogen gas to be used in the synthesis of ammonia.
The process flow for the plant is shown in Figure 4.
The Chinese have continued to expand their nitrogenous fertilizer production
capability, with particular emphasis on urea fertilizer. This plant has several
aspects that are unique among urea fertilizer plants in China.
Gaseous Feedstock -- Usually the gases used to produce urea are derived
from coal. This is the first plant identified in China that uses a gaseous
hydrocarbon feedstock from a refinery. This gas is frequently considered
a waste material and is burned at a flare tower. Its use probably represents
an effort to conserve coal.
Source of Nitrogen -- Nitrogen for urea fertilizer production is usually
obtained by using either water gas retorts or an air separation plant to
separate the nitrogen from oxygen in the air. Since neither of these
facilities has been observed at this plant, it is assumed that a double
reforming process is used which utilizes the air as an oxidizer to provide
nitrogen.l/ In this process, a primary reformer first takes the gaseous
feedstock and breaks it down to methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and
carbon dioxide. The gases then pass through a secondary reformer which
burns the gas--primarily the methane--in air. This removes the oxygen from
the air and the methane from the gas stream leaving nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon
dioxide, and carbon monoxide.
Ammonia Synthesis Facilities -- Both the compressor building and the
converter tower at this plant are larger than those observed at urea plants
previously studied in China. The reason for the larger size is not known; it
may indicate that the capability of this plant is larger than that of previously
identified plants.
-3-
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
Next 1 Page(s) In Document Denied
Iq
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
/) Q S
D- w
O z W J
WO J_
0
U
N
0
U
N
z
z
0
F-
< U
C) LL
D
CL
m F
a
w
z
LL
w
w
TOP SECRET RUFF
Z F
J
W
N
J
I-
W
u
z
W
l)
O
2
U
U
L
z
O
J
U-
uJ
w
U
0
ct
ci-
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
Circular Warehouse -- The prilled urea warehouse at this plant is circular
instead of the usual rectangular shape. This is probably evidence of an
improved handling procedure requiring less conveyor equipment. The circular
warehouse appears to be a big hopper which is filled from one point at the
top and emptied from one point at the bottom.
Construction and Operational Status
Initial construction activity for this plant was observed in December 1969.
By November 1970, the ammonia synthesis building, converter tower, prilling
tower, and circular warehouse were complete. Since that time the rate of
construction has been slower. By April 1971, the urea synthesis building,
two buildings in the gas purification area, and the transformer substation
were complete. By January 1972, the gas purification facilities were complete
and the plant appeared operational.
The plant has not been observed in operation as of January 1972, the date
of the latest coverage.
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
TOP SECRET RUFF
Map
548th RTG. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0381-22HL 4th edtion,
Jul 1968, Scale 1:200,000 (SF(RFTF
Waddams, Austen Lawrence. Chemicals From Petroleum, The Noyes Press, Inc,
Pearl River, New York, 1962 (UNCLASSIFIED)
Requirement
COMIREX N07
Support Number 428914
-8-
TOP SECRET RUFF
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
 Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5
Top Secret
Top Secret
Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010052-5