NA-CHI CHEMICAL FERTILIZER PLANT LU-CHOU NA-CHI, CHINA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010053-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 12, 2008
• Sequence Number: 53
• Publication Date: May 1, 1972
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/12 : CIA-RDP79T00909A000400010053-4
Top Secret
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
Basic Imageiy Interpretation Report
Na-chi Chemical Fertilizer Plant Lu-chou
Na-chi, China
Top Secret
RCS 13/0058/72
25X1
DATE MAY 1972
copy 117
PAGES 7
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TOP SECRET RUFF
The primary function of Na-chi Chemical Fertilizer Plant Lu-chou is the
production of ammonia and prilled urea fertilizer. It is the first nitrogenous
fertilizer plant observed in China which uses natural gas as the feed material.
Initial construction activity for the plant was observed in March 1963.
By January 1966 the plant was complete. The plant was first observed in
operation in February 1967. It could not be determined if the plant was
operating in May, August, and December 1968. It was not operating in July
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.
TOP 'SECRET RUFF
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
15th RTS. USATC, Series 200, Sheet M0495-23HL, 2nd ed, May 65, Scale 1:200,000
MAP REFERENCE
~~. LATEST IMAGERY USED
RCS 13/0058/72
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TOP SECRET RUFF
Na-chi Chemical Fertilizer Plant Lu-chou is located 8 nautical
miles south of the center of Lu-hsien (Lu-chou) near the village of Na-chi;
Szechwan Province (see Figure 1). Two heat and thermal power plants are
collocated with the plant and supply electric power and steam.
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BASIC DESCRIPTION
The plant occupies about 50 acres in an area measuring approximately
1,300 by 1,700 feet overall (see Figures 2 and 3). It is partially
secured, with only segments of wall in place. It is served by a good
road network and by shipping facilities on the Chang Chiang (Yangtze River).
A conveyor connects the urea warehouse at the plant with the shipping
facilities.. ..No?-rail spur is present.
Operational Functions
The primary function of the plant is the production of ammonia and
prilled urea. The plant is designed to use natural gas as the source of
hydrogen for the synthesis of ammonia and as a source of carbon dioxide
for the production of urea. Nitrogen for the ammonia production is prob-
ably derived by burning air in a secondary reformer. The process flow for
the products is shown in Figure 4.
This is the first nitrogenous fertilizer plant observed in China which
utilizes natural gas as feed material. Natural gas is found in the Szechwan
Basin and is composed primarily of methane. This use of natural gas
probably represents another effort to conserve coal, which normally provides
the feed material at a nitrogen fertilizer plant.
A small chemical processing area is adjacent to the urea production area.
The only identifiable features in this area are a gasholder and an ammonia
synthesis building with a converter tower. The purpose of these facilities
cannot be determined at this time, but production in this area is probably
small in relation to the other plant components.
Construction and Operational Status
The plant was first observed under construction on photography of March
1963. At that time the northernmost chemical processing area was in a midstage
of construction and nine storage buildings and the small thermal power plant
were complete. By August 1965 the large heat and thermal power plant, four
large workshops in the support area, the ammonia synthesis building and
converter tower in the southern ammonia production area, the urea synthesis
building, and a warehouse/shipping building were complete. Between August
1965 and January 1966 the gas purification and reform equipment in the
southern ammonia production area, the water treatment area, the prilling
tower, the urea warehouse, the northernmost chemical processing area and
the conveyor system were completed. Since that time, the large heat and
thermal power plant has been expanded and several support buildings have
been added.
The plant was first observed in operation in February 1967. This was
indicated by vapor emissions from the large power plant, the gas purification
.equipment, and the prilling tower. It could not be determined if the plant
was operating in May, August, and December 1968 due to the small scale of
the' photography. The plant was not in operation in July 1971, the date of
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Map
15th RTS. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0495-23HL, 2nd
edition, May 1965, Scale 1:200,000 (SECRET
Requirement
COMIREX N07
Support Number 428908
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