HUNGNAM NITROGEN FERTILIZER PLANT HUNGNAM, NORTH KOREA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79T00909A000500010020-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 18, 2008
• Sequence Number: 20
• Publication Date: June 1, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/06/18: CIA-RDP79T00909A000500010020-9
-a. Top Secret
DIRECTORATE OF
INTELLIGENCE
Industrial Facilities
(Non-Military)
Basic Imagery Interpretation Report
Hungnam Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant
Hungnam, North Korea
25X1
ecret
RCS I Vn77I/I4
DATE JUNE 1969
coPY 104
PAGES 6
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TOP SECRET RUFF
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
Directorate of Intelligence
Imagery Analysis Service
GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATES
39-50-03N 127-37-12E
? 548th RTG. USATC 200, Sheet M0380-4HL, 4th edition, Apr 68, Scale 1:200,000
MAP REFERENCE
(SECRET
Hungnam Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant
This report is a detailed analysis from high-resolution imagery of
the Hungnam Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant in North Korea. It shows that the
primary products of the plant are superphosphate and ammonia based ferti-
lizers including urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. Secondary
products include sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and ammonia.
ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate and superphosphate production facilities.
By October 1966, an additional sulfuric acid facility had been added, and
by April 1968, a gas production area, a gas purification area, an additional
ammonia sythesis facility, and urea production facilities had been added.
The plant has been observed in operation on all photography utilized.
In October 1963, the plant contained sulfuric acid, ammonia, nitric acid,
This study covers the period from
This report includes a functional analysis, a photograph and detailed
line drawing of the plant, a chronological summary of construction and pro-
duction activity, and reference data.
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The Hungnam Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant is located 6 nautical miles (nm)
south-southeast of Hamhung. Electric power is received by the plant from
the Hungnam Transformer Station, Fertilizer Plant and a
transformer substation near the electrolysis building.
The plant is situated in an industrial complex which includes the
Hungnam Chemical Plant, Pongung the Hun nam Copper Refinery 25X1
nd the Hungnam Explosives Plant 17 25X1
Physical Features
The fertilizer plant occupies an irregular-shaped area which measures
approximately 6,400 by 1,800 feet and contains 265 acres. The plant is
served by a good road and rail network and is accessible by water.
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Operational Functions
The primary function of this plant is the production of superphosphate
and ammonia based fertilizers, which include urea, ammonium nitrate, and
ammonium sulfate. Secondary products of this plant include sulfuric acid,
nitric acid, and ammonia. The specific production areas and major facilities
are annotated on Figure 3.
Chronology
Major portions of this plant pre-date the Korean Conflict of the early
1950's. However, the chronology in this report covers only the period from
1963 to 1968. During this period construction at the plant continued at a
steady pace. The chronology of this construction is presented in the key
to annotations for Figure 3.
Production Activity
Fertilizers are produced in the superphosphate, ammonium sulfate,
ammonium nitrate, and urea production areas using sulfuric acid, ammonia,
nitric acid and carbon dioxide obtained from other areas of the plant as
raw materials. Sulfuric acid is obtained by the Chamber Process in Area BI
and by contact process in Area B, both of which use pyrites as the source
of sulfur. Ammonia is produced in Areas D and K, and part of the ammonia
from Area D is oxidized in Area H to form nitric acid. Carbon dioxide is
obtained from the gas production area (Area J).
Superphosphate is produced in Area A by reacting sulfuric acid with
phosphate ore. Ammonium sulfate is produced in Area C by reacting sulfuric
acid with ammonia. In Area G, ammonia is reacted with nitric acid to form
ammonium nitrate. The production of urea in Area E is accomplished by com-
bining ammonia with carbon dioxide.
On October 1963 photography, the ammonia, sulfuric acid (Chamber Process,
Area BI), and nitric acid production areas were operating, and vapor emissions
from the reactor sections of the ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate build-
ings, plus an ore stockpile at the superphosphate plant, indicated that these
three areas were in operation as well. These areas have appeared to. be in
operation on all subsequent coverage.
The contact sulfuric acid production area (Area B) was first seen
complete and in operation in October 1966. The presence of rail cars near
the packing and shipping building indicated that the urea facilities were
partially operational in October 1966, although these facilities were not
seen completed until April 1968. On April 1968 photography, vapor coming
from several areas indicated that the entire plant was in operation. Most
of the plant appeared to be operating and no significant changes were noted
on overage.
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Map
548TH RTG. US Air Target Chart, Series 200, Sheet M0380-4HL, 4th edition,
Apr 68, Scale 1:200,000 (SECRE
1. CIA. IAS/SID Memorandum-123/68, The Nitrogen Fertilizer Complex
and the Pongung Ch x, Hungdogi-dong, North
Korea, April 1968, (TOP SECRET RUFF)
Requirement
EXSUBCOM - BR-N/003-69
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