THE FIXED NITROGEN INDUSTRY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA

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• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-01093A000400180001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 64
• Document Creation Date: November 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 23, 1998
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: March 1, 1954
• Content Type: IR

r
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US 4~F-~'IALS 41~ILY
'ROVISIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT
r~
~`~~ ~"IX~D NITROGEN INI7US'~RY
~N C~~G~IC)S~OVAKIA
;,`CIA/RR PR-49
1 _March 1954
CENTRAL. INTE_LLIGEI~C~ AGENCY
OFFICE bF RESEARCH AND CtEPORTS
p~}t"UM~NO. ~---
l~C7 CHANt~E IN CLRSS. ^
^ YSECLA551F4ED c
. CLAB$? GFtdNQEb Ta:
NESCT~t~VtEW~D~A`FE:
F~EViEWER: 006._..-- 51-- 4
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This material contains information affecting
the National Defense oi' the United States
within the mee,ning; of the espionage laws,
Tftle 18, USC, liecs. 793 and 794, the trans-
mission or revelation. of which in any rnanner
to an unauthorised person is prohibited by law.
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5-E- =T
PROVISIONAL INTELLIGENCE REPQRT
TFiE FIXED NITROGEN INDUSTRY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA
C IA ~RR PR -~+9
(ORR Project 22.1.x+)
NOT ICE
The data and conclusions contained in this report
do not necessarily represent the final position of
ORR and should be regarded as provisional only and
subject to revision. Comments and data which may
be available to the- user are solicited.
Office of Research and Reports
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CaN FI D ENTI~L
coNZ~NTs
summary :
1
I. History and Organization of the Industry
3
II . Supplies
~+
A. Production
~+
1. Synthetic Ammonia :
~+
2. Nitric Acid
6
3. Nitrogen Fertilizers
8
~+. All Forms of Fixed Nitrogen
12
B. Stockpiling
12
C . Trade
13
D. Availability
15
III. Consumption
18
A. Synthetic Ammonia
18
B. Nitric Acid ? ?
19
C. Nitrogen Fertilizers
20
D. All Forms of Fixed Nitrogen
21
IV . Input Requirements
21
A. Synthetic Ammonia
21
B . Nitric Acid
22
C. Nitrogen Fertilizers ~.
23
1. Ammonium Nitrate
2.3
2. Ammonium Sulfate
2~+
3. Calcium Cyanamide
26
V. Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Intentions
26
A. Capabilities
26
B. Vulnerabilities . ~
28
C. Intentions
28
CONFI~F~,~
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CONFIDENTIA
Appendixes
Appendix A. Fixed Nitrogen Plants in Czechoslovakia .
Appendix B. Brief History and Technology of the Fixed
Nitrogen Industry
Appendix C . Methodology
Appendix D. Gaps in Intelligence
Appendix E. Sources and Evaluation of Sources .
Tables
1. Administrative Organization of Synthetic Ammonia Plants
in Czechoslovakia, 1952 .
2. Estimated Production of Synthetic Ammonia in Czecho-
slovakia, Selected Years, 1930-5~+ .
3. Estimated Production of Synthetic Ammonia Plants
in Czechoslovakia, 1953 and 1954 .
4.
Page
.
31
.
41
.
47
.
51
?
53
~+
?
5
6
Estimated Production of Nitric Acid .in Czechoslovakia,
Selected Years, 1930-5~+ 7
Estimated Production of Nitric Acid Plants in Czecho-
slovakia, 1953 and 1954 8
6. Nitrogen Content of the Mayor Nitrogen Fertilizers
Produced in Czechoslovakia 10
7. Estimated Production of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Czecho-
slovakia, Selected Years, 1930-5~+ 10
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8. Estimated Production of Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium
Sulfate Fertilizers from Synthetic Ammonia in Czecho-
slovakia, 1953
11
9. Estimated Production of Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizer
Plants in Czechosl+~vakia, 1953 and 1954
12
10. Total Estimated Production of All Forms of Fixed
Nitrogen in Czechoslovakia, Selected Years, 1930-54
13
11. Estimated Imports of Nitric Acid by Czechoslovakia,
1951-54 .
14
12. Estimated Imports of Nitrogen?Fertilizers by Czecho-
slovakia, 1950-53
15
13. Estimated Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Synthetic Ammonia, Nitric Acid, and Nitrogen
Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia, 1953
16
14. Estimated Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Nitrogen Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia,
Selected Years, 1935-54
16
15. Planned Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Nitrogen Fertilizers in Czechoslovakia, 1848-53
17
16. Estimated Consumption of Synthetic Ammonia
in Czechoslovakia, 1953
17. .Estimated Consumption of Nitric Acid in Czecho-
slovakia, 1953 ?
19
20
18. Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Synthetic
Ammonia in Czechoslovakia, 1953
22
19. Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Nitric Acid
in Czechoslovakia, 1953
23
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emu . y.....
20. Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Ammonium
Nitrate in Czechoslovakia, 1953 24
21. Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Ammonium
Sulfate from Synthetic Ammonia in. Czechoslovakia,
1953 25
22. Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Ammonium
Sulfate from Byproduct Coke Ovens in Czechoslovakia,
1953 26
23. Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Calcium
Cyanamide in Czechoslovakia, 1953 .
Following page
Fixed Nitrogen Industry: General Process and Use
Relationship ~+6
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CIA~RR PR-~+9
(ORR Project 22.1.x+)
THE FIXED NITROGEN INDUSTRY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA~-
Summary
The purpose of this report is to present an analysis of the fixed.
nitrogen industry in Czechoslovakia and to arrive at firm estimates
of supplies, consumption, input requirements, capabilities, vulner-
abilities, and intentions.
As considered in this report, the fixed nitrogen industry is that
which produced synthetic ammonia, nitric acid, and nitrogen fertilizers.
The nature of the industry ~.ri Czechoslovakia places certain limitations
on the scope of the report.. Because of the virtual absence of stock-
piling and the relatively minor volume of trade, the analysis of sup-
plies is largely confined to production. Because of the industry
characteristic of reprocessing some products to produce others, the
input study consists of a number of individual input studies, one for
each commodity.
The basic product of the fixed nitrogen industry in Czechoslovakia
is ammonia. A greater part of the industrially applicable forms of
fixed nitrogen,. nitric acid and nitrogen fertilizers, is derived from
that product. The remainder is supplied in the form of nitrogen ferti-
lizer derived from calcium cyanamide.
Only three plants in Czechoslovakia are known to be producing syn-
thetic ammonia in significant quantities. They are the Dusikarny Plant
at Marianske Hory (near Moravska Ostrava), the Synthesis Plant at Sem-
tin (near Pardubice), and the Spolek Plant at Usti nad Labem. A fourth
plant, the Stalin Works at Zaluzi (near Most), may have begun produc-
tion during 1953 but will have little effect upon total industry pro-
duction until some time in 195+. A fifth plant, which does not produce
synthetic ammonia, is known to be producing nitrogen products.
The total estimated production of fixed nitrogen in all forms in
Czechoslovakia in 1953 was 51,200 metric tons. Of this total,
~- The estimates and conclusions contained in this report represent
the best judgment of the responsible analyst as of 15 December 1953?
~~ Tonnages are given in metric tons throughout this report.
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32,200 tons were derived from synthetic ammonia, 15,000 tons from
byproduct ammonia, and x+,000 tons were contained in calcium cyan-
amide .
In Czechoslovakia there is no stockpiling of synthetic ammonia,
and, except for seasonal requirements, there is no stockpiling
of nitric acid. Neither is there any significant trade in synthetic
ammonia. Some nitric acid is imported, largely from East Germany,
and nitrogen fertilizers in relatively small quantities are imported,
almost entirely from Soviet Bloc countries.
Because of the absence of stockpiling, the available supply of
fixed nitrogen in Czechoslovakia is the sum of production plus im-
ports, and, because there are no exports, consumption .equals avail-
able supply.
The major inputs to the fixed nitrogen industry are electrical
energy and coal. Input quantities are of significance only in terms
of individual products of the industry. Estimates of input require-
ments for those products are given in the body of the report.
The production of fixed nitrogen as synthetic ammonia is currently
approaching capacity. By mid-195+, however, additional facilities
should be available. Although nitric acid and nitrogen fertilizers
are .imported, there appears to be no serious shortage of nitrogen com-
pounds.
In peacetime the major supply of synthetic ammonia is required
in the production of nitric acid, nitrogen fertilizers, and industrial
explosives. During a war, .nitrogen products based on. ammonia are
indispensable. The same ammonium nitrate used as a fertilizer in peace-
time becomes a major component of military explosives in wartime.
Furthermore; ammonia or concentrated nitric acid is required in the
manufacture of virtually all nonatomic military explosives, and con-
centrated nitric acid is one of the most desirable oxidizers for
special rocket and guided missile fuels.
The industry is self-sufficient as far as raw materials are con-
cerned and consequently is not vulnerable to economic warfare, but
because of the small number of plants producing nitrogen products and
the dependence of those plants on electrical energy and pure synthesis
gas the industry is vulnerable to air attack and sabotage.
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Current information indicates that agricultural requirements for
fixed nitrogen in Czechoslovakia are still being emphasized. A posi-
tive indication of a drastically increased armaments program would be
an increasing emphasis on the production of nitric acid and, in par-
ticular, concentrated nitric acid. This shift in emphasis would be
accompanied by a decline in the production and availability of nitro-
gen fertilizers, particularly nitrate compounds. To date there has
been no clear indication that either situation is developing.
I. History and Organization of the Industry.
.Following World War I there was rapid worldwide expansion in the
production of synthetic ammonia, and several commercially adaptable
modifications of the original Faber-Bosch process were developed.
The three plants known to be producing synthetic ammonia in Czecho-
slovakia at the present time were established during the period from
1928 to 1932. Since World War II, detailed plans have been made to
establish 2 new plants and to enlarge the original 3. The probable
present status of these plants is considered in Appendix A.
Nationalized industry in Czechoslovakia has passed through
several organizational stages since 1945. In 1949 "the chemical
plants were classified in production branches, regionally divided
and combined into national enterprises, which in turn were subordi-
nated to the respective industrial section of the Ministry of Indus-
tries." l~~ Each of these original enterprises contained several
groups, each composed of 2 to 10 plants. The original Synthetic
Enterprise controlled 39 plants, but by July 1949 it had been decided
to organize certain plants as independent enterprises. 2~ The
trend has continued, and it appears that today all the major plants
operate independently.
In 1951 the Ministry of the Chemical Industry was composed of eight
main administrations grouped, in a general way, according to the type of
chemicals produced. There were Main Administrations of Fuel,
Inorganic Chemistry, Synthetic Fibers, and the like.. At that time
~ Footnote references in arabic numerals are to sources listed in
Appendix E.
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each of the three known producers of synthetic ammonia was a member
of a different main administration. 3/
Recent reports indicate that, since 1951, changes have been made
in the organization. The new main adrriini.strations are known by
numbers, there is a slightly different grouping of the national
enterprises under these main administrations, and a separate main
administration (VIII now controls all warehouses under the Ministry
of the Chemical Industry. ~+~
The three synthetic ammonia plants known to be in production in
1953 are in different main administrations under the Ministry of the
Chemical Industry. The administrative organization of these plants
in Czechoslovakia in 1952 is given in Table 1.
Administrative Organization of Synthetic Ammonia Plants
in Czechoslovakia
1952 5/
Administration of the Ministry
Plant Location of the Chemical Indust
Dusikarny Marianske Hory Main Administration VI
Synthetia Semtin Main Administration I
Spolek Usti nad Labem Main Administration IV
II. Supplies.
A. Production.
1. Synthetic Ammonia.
The production of synthetic ammonia in Czechoslovakia has
been limited,- to date, by the capacity of the established plants. It
is estimated that the most significant recent increase in the produc-
tion of synthetic ammonia took place between 1949 and 1952, when the
largest plant was partially rebuilt and expanded. Anew plant may
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have started production during 1953, but significant new production
was not anticipated until 1954. The production plans for 1947, and
probably 1948, were overfulf filled. Inf ormation available concerning
the production of nitrogen fertilizer indicates that more enthusiastic
plans for later years have not been met. In particular, the greatly
increased 1953 plan for nitrogen fertilizer appears to have been too
ambitious, considering the synthetic ammonia known to be available.
Estimated production of synthetic ammonia in Czechoslovakia for selected
years from 1930 through 1954 is given in Table 2.
Estimated Production of Synthetic Ammonia in Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1930-54 a/ 6/
Metric Tons
Production Probable Range
Year
Synthetic
Ammonia
Nitrogen
Content
of Production
(Synthetic Ammonia)
1930
13,900
11,500
11,000 to 14,500
1931
12,200
10,000
11,000 to 14,500
1932
14,100
12,000
13,000 to 16,000
1937
lg,4oo
16,000
17,000 to 20,000
1938
20,600
17,000
18,000 to 21,000
1942
29,400
24,200
26,000 to 32,000
1847
7/
26,000
21,400
21,500 to 29,000
1848
27,700
22,800
26,000 to 29,000
1849
29,800
24,600
28,000 to 33,000
1950
7/
32,900
27,100
30,000 to 34,000
1951
36,200
29,800
32,000 to 38,000
1952
38,500
31,700
34,000 to 40,000
X953
39,100
32,200
35,000 to 40,000
1954
61,400
50,400
49,000 to 75,000
a. For the methodology used in developing this table, see
Appendix C.
No new synthetic ammonia plants are known to have begun
production since 1932, but two of the original plants have been
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enlarged. The estimated capacity (not actual production) of the 3
plants in production during 1953 is about 42,000 tons of ammonia per
year. Tf the capacity of the new Stalin Works is added, the total
estimated capacity will be from 57,000 to 77,000 tons in 1954.
Current production estimates for synthetic ammonia plants
in C2~choslovakia are given in Table 3.
Table 3
Estimated Production of Synthetic Ammonia Plants
in Czechoslovakia
X1953 and 1954
Plant
Location
1953
1954.
Dusikarny
Nia,rianske Hory
26,700
26,700
Synthesia
Semtin
9,700
10,000
Spolek
Usti nod Labem
2,700
2,700
Stalin Works
Zaluzi
22,000
2. Nitric Acid.
Nitric acid is produced in both dilute and concentrated
forms. The dilute acid averages 60 percent pure nitric acid, and
the concentrated acid averages from 96 to 99 percent pure. In
arriving at estimates of production and capacity, all nitric acid,
both dilute and concentrated, is converted to a basis of 100 per-
cent nitric acid.
The three plants known to be currently producing syn-
thetic ammonia, Dusikarny, Synthesia, a,nd Spolek, are also producing
nitric acid. The fourth synthetic ammonia, plant, the Stalin Works,
is expected to reach large-scale production of synthetic ammonia in
1954, but probably will not produce nitric acid.
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Table ~+ gives the estimated production of nitric acid in
Czechoslovakia as determined from the estimated annual production of
individual plants.
Table ~+
Estimated Production of Nitric Acid in Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1930-54 a/
Year
Production
Probable Range
of Production
1930
15,000
11,000 to 15,000
1937
33,300
25,000 to 35,000
1938
36,300
30,000 to 37,000
1842
63,400
60,000 to 72,000
1947
32,000
28,000 to 35,000
1948
37,500
35,000 to 40,000
1949
40,700
36,000 to 44,000
1950 b/
42,300
37,000 to 45,000
1951 b/
43,500
37,500 to 46,000
1952 b/
45,200
41,000 to 48,000
1953 b/
46,500
42,000 to 49,000
1954 b/
46,500
42,000 to 49,000
a. Production figures are on the basis of 100 percent
nitric acid. For the methodology used in developing
this table, see Appendix C..
b. For this year, 4,000 to 5,000 tons of concentrated
nitric acid are included. The remainder is produced
with an average 60 percent pure acid content.
In terms of potential rather than actual production, the
3 plants currently producing nitric acid have an estimated total
capacity of 78,000 tons of 100 percent nitric acid. Of this total
the greater part is dilute acid capacity. The only significant
concentrated nitric acid capacity, 8,500 tons, is that of the
Synthesis Plant at Semtin. The Spolek Plant at Usti nad Labem
undoubtedly produces small quantities of concentrated nitric acid
for its dye and intermediate chemical products, but neither capacity
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nor production figures for concentrated nitric acid ai=e known. It
is believed that the Dusikarny Plant at Marianske $ory, the largest
nitric acid producer, has no capacity for concentrated acid produc-
tion. Neither the Stalin Works at Zaluzi nor the new Nitrogen
Products Plant at Lovosice has any capacity for-the production of
nitric acid, either dilute or concentrated. The latter plant, how-
ever, can be expected to install nitric acid production facilities
within the next few years.
Actual production is substantially lower than production
capacity.- Current production estimates for nitric acid plants in
Czechoslovakia are given in Table 5.
Estimated Production of Nitric Acid Plants
in Czechoslovakia
1953 and 195+ a/
Metric Tons
Plant
Location
1953
195+
Dusikarny
Marianske Rory
28,000
28,000
Synthesia
Semtin
16,500 b /
16,500 b /
Spolek
Usti nad Labem
2,000
2,000
a. ~'roduction f~ res are on the basis of 100 per-
cent nitric acid.
b. Production f~.gure includes about 5,000 tons of
concentrated nitric acid.
3. Nitrogen Fertilizers.
Several types of nitrogen fertilizer are produced in
Czechoslovakia. To obtain-both a common basis for the .comparison
of production and a meaningful total production figure, all ferti-
lizer production estimates in this report will be expressed in
terms of nitrogen content
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The average nitrogen content of all nitrogen fertilizers
produced in Czechoslovakia up to 1939 was 18.5 percent. Currently,
the average nitrogen content is believed to be slightly higher --
about 19 percent.
Production estimates can be made for three different
categories of nitrogen fertilizers as follows:
a. Nitrogen FertiliZe.rs from Synthetic Ammonia.
These products are the various mixed fertilizers
produced from synthetic ammonia. The nitrogen is actually supplied
by nitric acid and~or ammonia, depending on the product. The two
major products in this group are ammonium nitrate and ammonium
sulfate.
b. Byproduct Ammonium Sulfate.
This fertilizer is produced from the ammonia liquor
recovered at coke plants. Thus it is not a product of the synthetic
ammonia industry. -The total nitrogen content of this fertilizer pro-
duced during 1953 amounts to about 40 percent of the total fertilizer
nitrogen produced during that year.
c. Calcium Cyanamide.
One plant at Sokolov (German name -- Falkenau) pro-
duces all the cyanamide fertilizer in Czechoslovakia. The total
nitrogen content of this fertilizer produced during 1953 amounts to
about l0 percent of the total fertilizes nitrogen produced during
that year.
The average nitrogen content of the ma,~or nitrogen
fertilizers consumed in Czechoslovakia is given in summary form in
Table 6.* These percentages can be used to calculate the production
of nitrogen fertilizers in Czechoslovakia from the total nitrogen
estimates of Table 7.~
Table 8 gives the estimated quantities of ammonium
nitrate and ammonium sulfate fertilizers produced from synthetic am-
monia in Czechoslovakia during 1953?
~
Table7 follows on p.
10.
~
Table 7 follows on p.
10.
8
11
~
follows on p.
Table
.
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Table 6
Nitrogen Content of the Ma,~or Nitrogen Fertilizers
Produced in Czechoslovakia
Fertil~.zer
Nitrogen Content
(Percent)
Ammonium Nitrate
38.00
AuIInonium Sulfate
20 , 6
Ammonium Sulfate-Nitrate Mixture
26.0
Calcium Cyanamide
21.0.
Lime Ammonium Nitrate a/
15.5
Nitrophos b/
15.5
a. Also known as Ostrava saltpeter, Ostrava nitrate,
or Kalkammon saltpeter. Imported lime-ammonium ni-
trate normally contains about 20.5 percent nitrogen.
b. A mixture of ammonium nitrate and ground phos-
phate rock which contains 16 to 18 percent phosphoric
anhydride.
Table 7
Estimated Production of Fertilizer. Nitrogen in Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1930-54 a/ ~ 9/
Synthetic
Byproduct
Ammonium
Calcium
Year
Ammonia
Sulfate anamide
.Total
1930
7,000
5,000
6,300
18,300
1935 l0
10,500
4,900
x+,300
19,700
1936 lo/
8,600
6,400
5,000
20,000
1937 10/
10,100
8,230
5,300
23,630
1938 l0
9,900
8,30?
5,5~
23,700
1942
DT.A.
N.A,
N.A.
15,000
1947
12,500
7,500
x+,500
24
500 11/
1948
15,000
8,000
5,000
,
28,000 '-'-
1949
16,000
10,000
5,000
31,000 12
Footnote for Table 7 follows on p. 11.
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Table 7
Estimated Production of Fertilizer Nitrogen in Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1930-54 a~ 9/
(Continued)
Year
Synthetic
Ammonia
Byproduct
Ammonium
Sulfate
Calcium
Cyanamide
Total
1950
16,500
12,-000
4,500
33,000
~
1951
17.,ooa
13,000
4,000
34,000
x.952
17,000
14,000
4,000
35,000
1953
19,000
15,000
4,000
38,000
1954
37,000
15,000
4,000
56,000
a. Production figures refer to the total nitrogen content
only. Except for 1930, production figures through 1938 are
reported figures and are considered accurate. Later figures
are subject to comparatively large error. The estimated range
of production for 1953 is 33,000 to 39,000 tons. For the
methodology used in developing this table, see Appendix C.
Table 8
Estimated Production of Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizers
from Synthetic Ammonia in Czechoslovakia
1953 J
?
Metric Tons
Nitrogen
Probable Range of Estimate
Fertilizer
Lontent
Production
(Nitrogen Content)
Ammonium Nitrate b~
11,000
29,000
9,000 to 12,000
Ammonium Sulfate
5,500
27,000
4,000 to 7,000
Other Nitrates
2,500
N.,A.
1,500 to 3,500
a?. For the methodology used in developing this table, see Appendix 0.
b. These figures do not include excess ammonium nitrate produced by the
Synthesia Plant at Semtin, which is consumed in explosives. Probably
5,000 tons of ammonium nitrate are available at the Synthesia Plant for
production of explosives.
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.The estimated production of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers
from synthetic ammonia is summarized on a plant basis in Table 9.
Table g
Estimated Production of Synthetic Nitrogen Fertilizer
Plants in Czechoslovakia
7-953 and 195+ a,/
Plant
Location
1953
195+
Dusikarny
Marianske Hory
17,000
17,000
Synthetic
Semtin
2,000
2,000
Nitrogen Products
Lovosice b~
Negligible
18,000
a. The plant producing calcium cyanamide and coke
plants recovering byproduct ammonium sulfate are not
included. Production figures refer to total nitrogen
content only.
b. See Appendix A.
4. All Forms of Fixed Nitrogen?
In Czechoslovakia, fixed nitrogen is produced in three
different forms: synthetic ammonia, byproduct ammonium sulfate from
coke plants, and calcium cyanamide.
The total production .of all forms of fixed nitrogen in
Czechoslovakia for several years is summarized in Table 10.E
B. Stockpiling.
Although there is no specific information concerning the
stockpiling policy in Czechoslovakia, it is almost certain t}~at
neither synthetic ammonia nor nitric acid is stockpiled at present.
There are probably the normal industrial stocks of 1 to 3 months'
supply. of nitric acid. An economy mobilized for war requires such
Table 10 follows. on. p. 13.
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Table 10
Total Estimated Production of All Forms of Fixed Nitrogen
in Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1930-54 a~
Year
Synthetic
Ammonia
Byproduct
Ammonium
Sulfate
Calcium
Cyanamide
Total
1930
11,500
5,000
6,300
22,800
1937
16,000
8,230
5,300
29,530
1938
17,000
8,300
5,500
30,800
1947
21,400
7,.500
x+,500
33,400
1948
22,800
8,000
5,000
35,800
1949
24,600
lo,oo0
5,000
39,600
1950
27,100
12,000
4,500
43,600
1951
29,800
13,000
4,000
46,800
1952
31,700
14,000
4,000
49,700
1953
32,200
15,000
4,000
51,200
1954
50,400
15,000
4,000
6g,4oo
a. Production figures refer to the total nitrogen content
only and are taken from Table 2, p. 5 and Table 7, p. lo.
large quantities of nitric acid and ammonia that prohibitive numbers
of special pressure vessels and noncorrosive containers would be
needed to store significant quantities of these commodities.
On the other hand, the nitrogen fertilizer industry is nor-
mally seasonal, and storage facilities are provided at producing
plants for the storage of several months' production. A practical
method of stockpiling nitrogen would be that of stockpiling finished
or Semifinished products such as filled munitions, explosives, and
ammonium nitrate. Special care i~ needed to store pure ammonium
nitrate, which is deliquescent.
In synthetic ammonia there ie no significant trade involving
Czechoslovakia. There is trade, however, in other nitrogen products,
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including nitric acid, fertilizers, and intermediates for dyes and
special chemicals.
During recent years, Czechoslovakia has imported nitric acid.
Nearly all of it has come from East Germany, but there have been
occasional shipments from Hungary. There is no information concern-
ing trade with the USSR. The C$echs had intended to increase the
production of nitric acid suff iciently by 195+ to dispense with
imports. If this plan was based on expected production from a new
plant, it may not be realized by 195+. Estimated imports of nitric
'acid by Czechoslovakia from 1951 through 195+ are given in Table 11.
Estimated Imports of Nitric Acid by Czechoslovakia
. 1951-5~+ J d3/
Year
Metric Tons
1951
3,000
1952
1,500
1953
2,000
195+
l,ooo b/
a, Practical]~y all imports are from East Germany.
Import figures are on the basis of 100 percent
.nitric acid.
b. It was planned to discontinue imports of nitric
acid in 195+. It is doubtful now that a new plant
will start. production by that time, as was originally
planned.
Czechoslovakia has been a net .importer of nitrogen ferti-
lizers every year. If expansion plans materialize on schedule,
large imports should not be required after 1953? Before World
War II, imports averaged about 2,000 tons of nitrogen. About
75 percent of this nitrogen was in the form of Chilean nitrate,
and the remaining 25 percent was in the form of calcium cyanamide.
-1~+-
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Since World War II the imports have included ammonium ni-
trate and ammonium sulfate from the USSR, lime-arrunonium nitrate
from Austria, and ammonium sulfate and lime-ammonium nitrate from
East Germany. France supplied some unspecified nitrogen ferti-
lizers during 1950 and 1951. Estimated imports of nitrogen ferti-
lizers by Czechoslovakia from 1950 through 1953 are given in
Table 12.
There have been rare and insignificant exports of nitrogen
fertilizers, apparently on an individual contract basis.
Estimated Imports of Nitrogen Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia
1950-53 1?+/
Exporter
1950
1951
1952
1953
Soviet Bloc
3,000 a/
x+,000
8,500
8,000
West
7,900
6,300
Austria
7,500
6,100
France
x+00
200
a. Import figures refer to total nitrogen content only.
D. Availability.
.
As there is no trade in synthetic ammonia and there is not
believed to be any stockpiling, consumption and availability are
equivalent to the national production.
Some nitric acid is imported at present, but it is planned
to increase production in order to dispense with such imports. Some
nitrogen fertilizers are also imported, but new plant facilities
should help in overcoming the shortage during 195+?
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The estimated availability of synthetic ammonia, nitric acid,
and nitrogen fertilizers in Czechoslovakia during; 1953 is given in
Table 13.
Table 13
Estimated Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Synthetic Ammonia, Nitric Acid, and Nitrogen Fertilizers
by Czechoslovakia
1953
Commodity Production Consumption Net Trade
Synthetic Ammonia 39,100 39,100 0
Nitric Acid a/ 46,500 48,500 + 2,000 b/
Nitrogen Fertilizers c/ 38,000 46,000 + 8,000
a. Figures are on the basis of 100 percent nitric acid.
b. Plus (+) indicates ne-t imports.
c. Figures refer to the total nitrogen content only.
Tables 14 and 15~ are presented for comparison. The esti-
mated availability of nitrogen fertilizers in Czechoslovakia over
several years is summarized in Table 14.
.Table 14
Estimated Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Nitrogen Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1935-54 a/~'
Year Production b/ Consumption -Net Trade
1935 19,700 21,880 + 2,180 15/ c/
1936 20,000 22,110 + 2,110 15/ -
1937 23,630 24,830 + 1,20o i5/
Table 15 follows on p. 17.
Footnotes for Table 14 follow on p. 17.
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Table 14
Estimated Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Nitrogen Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia
Selected Years, 1935-54 a/
(Continued)
Year
Production ~
/ Consumption
Net Trade
1938
23,700
24,700
+ 1,000 15/
1942
15,000
15,000
0
1847
24,500
28,500
+ x+,000
1948
28,000
33,000
+ 5,000 a/
lg4g
31,000
36,000
+ 5,000 a/
1950
33,000
43,900
+10,900 e/
1851
34,000
44,300
+lo,Sob e/
1952
35,000
43,500
+ 8,500 e/
'
1953
38,000
46,000
+ $,000 e/
1954
56,000
56,000
0
a. Figures refer to the total nitrogen content
only.
b. Production figures are taken from Table 17,
p. 10.
c. Plus (+) indicates-net imports.
d. Plan figure is taken from Table 15, p. 17.
e. Import figure is taken from Table 12, p. 15.
Planned Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Nitrogen Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia
1848-53 ~ 16
Metric Tons
Year
Production
Consumption
Net Trade
1848
28,270
33,270
+ 5,0.00 b /
ig4g
29,681
34,681
+ 5,000
Footnotes for Table 15 follow on p. 18.
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Table 15
Flanned Production, Consumption, and Net Trade
in Nitrogen Fertilizers by Czechoslovakia
1948-53 a/ 16
(Continued
Metric Tons
Year
Production
Consumption
Net Trade
1950
37,516
1+0,016
+ 2,500
1951
39,595
1+2,095
+ 2,500
1952
41,191
1+3,681
+ 2,500
1953 ~/
1+2,930
1+5,1+30
+ 2,500
a. Figures refer to the total nitrogen content
only.
b. Plus (+) indicates net imports. .
c. In 1951 the .planned production of nitrogen
fertilizers for.1953 was increased by 50 per-
. cent to about 64,500 tons. 17/
-Table 15 presents the estimated availability of nitrogen
fertilizer in Czechoslovakia for 6 years as anticipated by the
Czechs in their Five Year Plan (181+9-53)? Comparison with Table 11+
indicates that this original Plan was entirely feasible.
III. Consumption.
A.~ Synthetic Ammonia.
Synthetic ammonia is primarily consumed directly in the pro-
duction of nitric acid and fertilizers. Of the total nitric acid
produced from synthetic ammonia, 60 to 70 percent is consumed, in
turn, in the production of fertilizers.
Most of the. remaining ammonia is used in the chemical,
metallurgical, and refrigeration industries. One of the chemical
requirements for ammonia is in the production of urea.
Urea is used to produce glue for the furniture industry and
Other synthetic resins for lacquers and plastics. It had been a
dollar import] so provision was made to use 350 tons of ammonia to
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produce 500 tons of urea at the Dusikarny Plant during 1951. Plans
were also formulated for the production of 5,000 tons of urea per
year, beginning in 1952. This production would provide about 1,700
tons for export and would require about 3,500 tons of synthetic
ammonia. ~ The 1951 production was undoubtedly achieved, but by
mid-1953 there was no confirmation of the larger production.
As detailed information concerning all requirements for syn-
thetic ammonia is lacking, two very general categories, i-n addition
to agriculture., will be considered. Table 16 gives the estimated
consumption of synthetic ammonia in Czechoslovakia far 1953 by broad
categories of use.
Table 16
Estimated Consumption of Synthetic Ammonia
in Czechoslovakia
1953 J
Use
Consumption
(Metric Tons)
Percent
of Total
Nitrogen Fertilizers
23,100
59.0
Explosives (Industrial
and Military) ~
5,000
12.8
Other
11,000
28.2
a. For the methodology used in developing this
.table, see Appendix C.
b. This requirement includes ammonia consumed
in the production of the required nitric acid.
B. Nitric Acid.
There is not sufficient detailed information to provide a
comprehensive nitric acid consumption pattern. Thus the same broad
categories as were used in Table 16 will be used in Table 17~- to
express the estimated consumption of nitric acid.
Table 17 follows on p. 20.
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Miscellaneous uses include the manufacture of many chemicals,
dyes, and lacquers. A considerable quantity is also consumed in the
metallurgical industry.
Table 17
Estimated Consumption of Nitric Acid
in Czechoslovakia
1953 a~
Use
Consumption
(Metric Tons )
Percent
of Total
Nitrogen Fertilizers
32,000
66.0
Explosives (Industrial
and Military)
11,000
22.7
Other
5,500
11.3
a. For the methodology used. in developing this
table, see Appendix C,
b. Consumption figures are on the basis of 100
percent nitric acid.
C. Nitrogen Fertilizers.
Although ammonium nitrate can readily be diverted to the pro-
duction of explosives, it can be assumed for present purposes that
all of the available fertilizer nitrogen will be consumed as ferti-
lizer. It is estimated that 46,000 tons of nitrogen were consumed
as a constituent of fertilizers during 1953?
According to a discussion (1948) of the Five Year Plan
(1848-53), the Ministry of Agriculture wanted 60,000 tons of nitrogen.
It is also reported that 3.02 kilograms of nitrogen were applied to
each hectare of agricultural land in Czechoslovakia in both 1937 and
1938. The Plan anticipated the application of 4.40 kilograms per
hectare in 1948, 6.06 kilograms in 1953, a,nd 7.00 kilograms in 1954.
Eventually 20 kilograms per hectare would be required. 19~
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D. All Forms of Fixed Nitrogen.
Consumption estimates for synthetic ammonia and nitric acid
cover many of those for all forms of fixed nitrogen. It is important
to note, however, that of the total fixed nitrogen available in 1953,
about 75 percent, or 46,000 tons, was to be consumed as fertilizer.
Immediately after World War II the percentage of the total available
fixed nitrogen (including imports) consumed by agriculture amounted
to about 73 percent. For comparison it can be noted that in the US
agricultural consumption of fixed nitrogen during 1947 and 1948
amounted to about 70 percent of the total supply.
In Czechoslovakia the remaining fixed nitrogen is consumed
by industry in the form of ammonia, nitric acid, and their deriva-
tives. Some calcium cyanamide may be used by the chemical industry.
IV. Input Requirements.
A. Synthetic Ammonia.
Power requirements for synthetic ammonia production vary
greatly with the process used. Of a total production of 39,100 tons
of synthetic ammonia during 1953, it is estimated that about 68 per-
cent, or 2,700 tons, was to be produced from coke-oven-gas hydro-
gen; about 25 percent, or 9,700 tons, from coke-water-gas hydrogen;
and the remaining 7 percent, or 2,700 tons, from electrolytic hydrogen.
The electrical-energy required to produce 1 ton of synthetic
,ammonia by the three different processes is as follows 20~:
Coke-Oven-Gas Hydrogen
2,200
Coke-Water-Gas I~ydrogen
1,400
Electrolytic Hydrogen
13,300
The raw material requirements (with the exception of elec-
trical energy) for the production of 1 ton of synthetic ammonia are
similar to all 3 processes. The following requirements are based on
the experience of one US producer:
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Nitrogen
Cubic Meters
720 to 800
Hydrogen
Cubic Meters
2,000 to 2,x+00
Iron Catalyst
Grams
135 to 150
'Water
Cubic Meters
100 to x+00
Steam (Process)
Metric Tons
1.O to 2.0
Calculated from these coefficients, the quantitative input
requirements for the manufacture of 39,100 tons of synthetic ammonia
in Czechoslovakia during 1953 are given in Table l8.
Table 18
Input Requirements for the Manufacture
in Czechoslovakia
1953
of Synthetic Ammonia
Raw material and power requirements for the production of
nitric acid are similar in all installations although large varia-
tions actor in the quantities of cooling water and steam required.
The raw materials and the electrical energy required for the manu-
facture of nitric acid in the USSR will be used as a basis for
determining the requirements in Czechoslovakia. 21~
The average consumption coeff icients for the manufacture of
1 ton of nitric acid are as follows:
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Synthetic Ammonia
Kilograms
290 to 300
Platinum Catalyst
Grams
0.10 to 0.13
Water .(for Cooling)
Cubic Meters
80 to 145
Steam
Kilograms
145 to 360
Electrical Energy
Kilowatt-Hours
210 to 300
Calculated from these coefficients, the quantitative input
requirements for the manufacture of 46,500 tons of nitric acid in
Czechoslovakia during 1953 are given in Table 19.
Table 19
Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Nitric Acid
in Czechoslovakia
1953
Input
Unit
Requirement
Synthetic Ammonia
Metric Tons
13,500 to 14,000
Platinum Catalyst
Kilograms
4.7 to 6.1
Water (for Cooling)
Million Cubic Meters
3.7 to 6.8
Steam
Metric Tons
6,800 to 16,700
Electrical Energy
Million Kilowatt-Hours
9.8 to-14.0
C. Nitrogen Fertilizers.
Input requirements will be .calculated for three major ferti-
liters produced in Czechoslovakia. These fertilizers accounted for
about 94 percent of the synthetic fertilizer nitrogen produced during
1953?
1. Ammonium Nitrate.
The average consumption factors for the production of 1 ton
of ammonium nitrate are as follows 22~:
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Synthetic 9mmonia Kilograms 217 to 220
Nitric Acid (100 Percent) Kilograms 785 to 795
Steam Kilograms 1+00 to 1,000
Water Cubic Meters 20 to 1+0
Electrical Enemy Kilowatt-Hours 15 to 30
Calculated from these coeff icients, the total quanti-
tative input requirements for the production of 31+,000 tons of
ammonium nitrate in Czechoslovakia during 1953 are given in Table 20.
Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Ammonium Nitrate
in Czechoslovakia
1953
Input
Unit
Requirement
Synthetic Ammonia
Metric Tons
7,1+00 to 7,500
Nitric Acid (100 Percent)
Metric Tons
2,500 to 27,000
Steam
Metric Tons
13,500 to 31+,000
Water
Thousand Cubic Meters
680 to 1,360
Electrical Energy
Thousand Kilowatt-Hours
510 to 1,020
2. Ammonium Sulfate.
a. Ammonium Sulfate from Synthetic Ammonia.
The average consumption factors for the production of
1 ton of ammonium sulfate from synthetic ammonia are as follows 23/:
Synthetic Ammonia
Kilograms
260 to 280
Sulfuric Acid (F8
to 71 Percent Pure)
Kilograms
7>+5 to 765
Water
Cubic Meter
1
Electrical Energy
Kilowatt-Hours
18 to 20
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Calculated from these coefficients, the total quan-
titative input requirements for the production of 27,000 tons of
ammonium sulfate from synthetic ammonia in Czechoslovakia during
1953 are given in Table 21.
Input Re quirements for the Manufacture of Ammonium Sulfate
from Synthetic Ammonia in Czechoslovakia
1953
Input
Unit
Requirement
Synthetic Ammonia
Metric Tons
7,000 to 7,600
Sulfuric Acid (68 to 71
Percent Pure)
~2etr3c Tons
20,000 to 21,000
Water
Cubic Meters
27,000
Electrical Energy
Thousand Kilowatt-Hours
x-85 to 5~+0
b. Ammonium Sulfate from Byproduct Coke Ovens.
The average consumption factors for the production of
1 ton of ammonium sulfate from byproduct coke ovens are as follows 24/:
Byproduct Ammonia X100 Percent)
Kilograms-
250 to 260
Sulfuric Acid (75
to 78 Percent Pure)
Kilograms
96Q to 980
Steam
Metric Tons
3 to 6
Water
Cubic Meters
6 to 8
Electrical Energy
Kilowatt-Hours
25 to 30
Calculated from these coeff icients, the total quan-
titative input requirements for the production of 78,000 tons of
byproduct ammonium sulfate in Czechoslovakia during 1953 are given
in Table 22.E
Estimated.
~ Table 22 follows on p. 26.
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Table 22
Input Requirements for the Manufacture of. Ammonium Sulfate
from Byproduct Coke Ovens in Czechoslovakia
1953
Input
Unit
Requirement
Byproduct .Ammonia
(100 Percent)
Metric Tons
19,500 to 20,200
Sulfuric Acid (75 to 78
Percent Pure)'
Metric Tons
75,000 to 77,000
Steam
Thousand Metric Tons
235 to 1+70
Water
Thousand Cubic Meters
1+68 to 625
Electrical Energy
Million Kilowatt-Hours
1.9 to 2.3
3. Calcium Cyanamide.
The requirements for the manufacture of 1 ton of calcium
cyanamide are as follows 25~:
Calcium Carbide Kilograms 650 to 750
.Nitrogen Cubic Meters 160 to 300
Electrical Energy Kilowatt-Hours 80 to g0
.Calculated from these coefficients, the total quantitative
input requirements for the manufacture of 18,000 tons of calcium
cyanamide in Czechoslovakia during 1853 are given in Table 23?~
V. Capabilities, Vulnerabilities, and Intentions.
A. Capabilities.
:The capabilities of Czechoslovakia in the production of fixed
nitrogen are important not because of trae tiize of the industry but
because the industry supplies raw materials. to several other strategic
industries. It is estimated that during 1953 Czechoslovakia produced
~ Estimated.
'~ Table 23 follows on p. 27.
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Table 23
Input Requirements for the Manufacture of Calcium Cyanamide
in Czechoslovakia
1953
Input
Unit
Requirement
Calcium Carbide
Metric Tons
12,500 to 14,500
Nitrogen
Million Cubic Meters
3.2 to 5.7
Electrical Enemy
Million Kilowatt-Hours
1.5 to 1.7
an estimated 39,100 tons of synthetic ammonia, or a little more
than 5 percent of the corresponding estimated production of the
USSR. 26~
The nitrogen content of this ammonia is available to the
modern and well-organized explosives and munitions industry. Other
chemical industries also have strategic uses for this nitrogen.
The production of fixed nitrogen as synthetic ammonia is
currently approaching capacity. The synthetic ammonia available
during 1953 could have provided as much concentrated nitric acid
for strategic uses as was available during World War II. The
explosives industry of Czechoslovakia could readily use the con-
centrated nitric acid to produce additional quantities of. TNT (trini-
trotoluene , picric acid, hexogen, and other military explosives.
Whatever amount of ammonium nitrate is produced with the
remaining nitric acid and ammonia can be allocated to the explosives
industry and agriculture as desired.
By the end of 1953, additional capacity should be availabl e
for the. production of synthetic ammonia and nitrogen fertilizers.
A logical development to expect in the near future would be the con-
struction of additional nitric acid capacity.
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B. Vulnerabilities.
The fixed nitrogen industry of Czechoslovakia is self-sufficient
in regard to raw materials and consequently is not vulnerable to economic
warfare. Construction of new facilities in Czechoslovakia has been de-
layed, however, by the restrictions placed by the West on the export
of specially designed equipment. 27~
As a limited number of plants make up the industry, it is
vulnerable to air attack. The vulnerability of synthetic nitrogen
plants was demonstrated during World War II. Three plants produce
nearly all of the nitrogen products of strategic value at present,
and 2 more may be in production by 1954.
Within the industry the production anal availability of synthetic
ammonia is the determining factor in the production of nitric acid and
the many end products of military signif icance. The asrnnonia-producing
units, in turn, depend upon adequate supplies of pure synthesis gas and
electrical enemy. Both of these input items are produced within or
near the individual plant. Interrupting the supply of either would
stop plant production. In addition, an interruption in the electricity
or hydrogen supply at these plants would seriously affect production
of synthetic methanol at the Stalin Works and at the Dusikarny Plant
as well as production of synthetic fuel at the Stalin Works.
Information through 1953 indicates the agricultural require-
ments for fixed nitrogen in Czechaslovakia are still being emphasized.
Originally, the one important new nitrogen installation planned since
World War II was to reserve 50 percent of the nitrogen for the Ministry
of National Defense. Since that time, however, the plans have been
involved in various degrees of political intrigue, and it now appears
that new nitrogen production will be considerably less than originally
planned. It is expected that during 1954 the new facilities will pro-
duce only ammonia and ammonium sulfate. These products are primarily
for agricultural use and are of no direct value to the military estab-
lishment.
A positive indication of a drastically increased armaments.
program would be an increasing emphasis on the production of nitric
acid and, in particular, concentrated nitric acid. This shift in
emphasis would be accompanied by a decline in the production and
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availability of nitrogen fertilizers, particularly nitrate com-
pounds.
To date there has been no clear indication that either
situation is developing.
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APPENDIX A
FIXED NITROGEN PLANTS IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
1. Dusikarny Plant. 28/
a. Full Name. Dusikarna Ostravske Chemicke Zavody
(Nitrogen Plant of the Ostrava Chemical Works).
b. Location. Marianske Hory (near Moravska Ostrava).
c. Coordinates. 4g?5o' N - 18?15' E.
d. Estimated Annual Capacity (Metric Tons).
~nthetic Ammonia Nitric Acid (100 Percent)
1930 13,500 1930 21,000
1932 18,000 World War IT 48,000
1942 28,000 29/ 1949 50,000 30/
1953 55,000
Nitrogen Fertilizers (Nitrogen Content)
1849 25,000
e.
Estimated Annual Production (Metric Tons).
Synthetic Ammonia
DTitric Acid (100 Percent)
1950 .
23,000
(22,000 to 25,500)
.1950
26,000
(23,000 to 28,000)
1951
25,500
(22,000 to 26,700)
1951
27,000
(23,000 to 28,000)
1952
26,700
(24,300 to 28,000)
1952
28,000
(25,000 to 30,000)
1953
26,700
(24,300 to 28,000)
1953
28,000
(25,000 to 30,000)
1954
26,700
(24,300 to 28,000)
1954
28,000
(25,000 to 30,000)
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Nitrogen Fertilizers (Nitrogen Content)
1950
15,000
(13,000 to 18,000)
1951
15,500
(13,000 to 18,000)
1952
15,500
(13,000 to 18,000)
1953
17,000
(14,000 to 19,000)
1954
17,000 (14,000 to 19,ac~)
f. Process.
The ammonia is synthesized by the Claude process, which
operates at an elevated pressure of about 1,000 atmospheres and
at about 4oo~C. Five Skoda 7-stage compressors were in use in
1948, 2 for ammonia synthesis, 1 for methanol synthesis, and 2 in
reserve. The iron oxide cata~,yst was formerly obtained from France,
but in 1948 a lower-quality catalyst was being produced at the
plant. 31/
Standard processes are used for the production of nitric
acid by the oxidation of ammonia and subsequent absorption of the
oxides in water. According to one report, the entire installation
is of Fauser design, and the product is about EG percent nitric
acid. Another report states that a Fauser unit produces acid of
48 to 50 percent strength.
Various fertilizer mixtures are produced by standard neutrali-
zation processes.
g. Comments.
The capacity figures as given for ammonia are well documented.
It is interesting to note that one. source reports that the first unit
was installed during the period from 1928 to 1930 and had a capacity of
7,200 tons of nitrogen and that a second unit was added immediately.
Prior to World War II, plans were made to add a third unit as well as
to improve efficiency to a capacity of about 23,000 tons of nitrogen.
This suggests that any future expansion may be accomplished by adding
units of about 7,500 tons of nitrogen annually.
The capacity figure for nitric acid in 1949 is firm. There
were plans at that time to increase the capacity by adding more
absorbers. Considering the over-all activity at the plant, it is
estimated that the capacity for nitric acid during 1953 was about
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55,000 tons expressed as 100 percent acid.
The reported capacity for fertilizer production in terms
of nitrogen content is considered firm. Yearly production estimates
for 1834 to 1938 were prepared from firm national production reports
after making allowances for other forms of fertilizer nitrogen.
Since World War II the production estimates have been based on the
availability of nitrogen at the plant as well as on the few reports
concerning national praduction of nitrogen fertilizers.
Most of the fertilizer is produced as compound, or mixed,
fertilizer. Ostrava saltpeter (lime-ammonium nitrate), one of the
main products, is a mixture of potassium, sodium, calcium, and
ammonium nitrates, containing about 15.5 percent nitrogen. Ammonium
sulfate-nitrate mix, or compound fertilizer B, contains 26 percent
nitrogen. A third fertilizer,. known as Nitrophos, is a mixture of
ammonium nitrate and ground phosphate rock containing 15.5 percent
nitrogen and 16 to 18 percent phosphoric anhydride. Some ammonium
chloride is also mixed with lime for use as a fertilizer. 32/
2.
Synthetia Plant. 33/
a.
Full Name.
Synthesis Narodni Podnik (Synthesis National
Corporation).
b.
Location.
Semtin (near Pardubice).
c.
Coordinates. 50002' N - 15047' E.
d.
Estimated Annual Capacity (Metric Tons).
Synthetic Ammonia Weak Nitric Acid*
1832 4,200 1949 12,000
1937 -7,000
1g48 10,500 34/
Concentrated Nitric Acid- Ammonium Nitrate
1944 6,000 1848 g,ooo
1848 8,500 35/
-~ Figures are on the basis of 100 percent nitric acid.
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e.
Estimated Annual Production (Metric Tons).
Synthetic Ammonia
Weak Nitric Acid
1950 7,300 (6,000 to 7,900)
1950
11,000 (g,ooo to 12,000)
1951 8,100 (6,700 to 8,500)
1951
11,000 (9,000 to 12,000)
1952 8,100 (7,300 to 9,700)
1852
11,500 ((10,000 to 12,000)
1953 9,700 (7,900 to 10,100)
1953
11,500 (10,000 to 12,000)
195+ 10,000 (7,g00 to 10,100)
195+
11,500 (10,000 to 12,000)
Concentrated Nitric Acids
.Ammonium Nitrate
1950 ~+ 000
'
1950
9,000 (8,000 to 11,000)
1951 ~+
oo0
1951
9,500 (8,000 to 11,000)
1952 4,000
1952
10,000 (9,000 to 11,000)
1953 5,000
1953
10,000 (9,000 to 11,000)
195+ 5,000
195+
10,500 (g,ooo to 11,000)
f. Process.
Ammonia is synthesized by the ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries)
process. This process is similar to the Haber-Bosch process, using a
"promoted" catalyst of iron oxides and operating at 200 to 250 atmos-
pheres pressure. The hydrogen is provide d. by coke-water gas, and the
nitrogen by a liquid-air installation.
Concentrated nitric acid is produced directly by oxidation
of ammonia, according to the German Hoko process. 36/
The Synthesia Plant and the plant .formerly known as Explosia
are neighboring units of a combine built chiefly for the production
of explosives. The construction of the Explosia Plant was begun in
1928, and the synthetic ammonia unit of the Synthesia Plant was com-
pleted during the following 2 years. The nitrogen products are uti-
lized in peacetime as fertilizer and in the production of specialty
chemicals as well as in the production of military and industrial
explosives.
Figures. are on the basis of 1Q0 percent nitric acid..
~ This quantity of ammonium nitrate is apportioned among fertilizer
and explosives production as required.
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The capacity figures given for weak nitric acid and concen-
trated nitric acid are not final. They have not been conf armed, and
there is no firm basis for a current capacity estimate for ammonium
nitrate. Such capacity is relatively easy to add to, however, and
in view of the general expansion activities recently taking place and
the availability of raw materials, it is believed -that the ammonium
nitrate capacity is current7~y about 12,000 tons annually.
In 19118 there were plans to double the production facilities
for ammonia and nitric acid. 37/ Such an increase in capacity is
entirely possible,. but at this time there is no positive intelligence
available to indicate such expansion.
Production estimates for ammonium nitrate and weak nitric
acid are based on the availability of nitrogen in the form of ammonia
and are limited by plant capacity estimates. In this manner a consump-
tion pattern for synthetic nitrogen typical of such plants is developed.
Until 1951 the 2 products required 70 to 75 percent of .the available
nitrogen, the remaining 25 to 30 percent being used for the production
of concentrated nitric acid and various other nitrogen compounds.
This concentrated nitric acid is in great demand at nearby plants for
special nitration processes in the explosives, pharmaceutical, and
intermediate chemicals industries.
The Synthesia Plant does not produce enough weak nitric acid
to cover its own requirements and those of the nearby explosives,
pharmaceutical, and plastics plants. During 19+9, about 10,000 tons
of weak nitric acid were received from the Dusikarny Plant, and
according to the source this rate was only slight7~y above the normal
peacetime shipments.
3. Spolek Plant. 38/
a. Full Name. Spolek pro Chemickou a Hutni Vyrobu (Association
for Chemical and Metallurgical Production).
b. Location. Usti na,d Labem (German name -- Aussig).
c. Coordinates. 50?~+2' N - 14?08' E.
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d. Estimated Annual Capacity Metric Tons).
,Synthetic Ammonia Weak Nitric Acid*
1828 3,400 1928 1,500
1951 2,200
e.
Estimated Annual Production (Metric Tons).
Synthetic Ammonia
Weak Niiric Acid
1950
2,600
(2,200 to 2,700)
1950
1,400
(1,200 to 1,500)
1951
2,600
(2,200 to 2,700)
1951
1,600
(1,500 to 2,000)
1952
2,700
(2,300 to 2,800)
1952
1,800
(1,500 to 2,000)
1953
2,700
(2,300 to 2,800)
1953
2,000
(1,800 to 2,100)
1954 -
2,700
(2,300 to 2,800)
1954
2,000
(1,800 to 2,100)
f. .Process.
The NEC (Nitrogen Engineering Corporation) process normally
employs a promoted catalyst of iron oxide granules operating at 300
to 400 atmospheres pressure and about ~-75oC. Pure hydrogen is pro-
duced as a byproduct of the electrolysis of brine solutions, and
nitrogen is provided by Linde-Frankl air machines.
g. Comments.
This plant is the smallest producer of synthetic ammonia in
the country and as such consumes a relatively large percentage of
its own ammonia and nitric acid in the production of specialty prod-
ucts. The plant was the original producer of dyes and fine chemicals
in Czechoslovakia.
Although the reported production of synthetic ammonia has
varied greatly, a sound technical check of production and capacity
figures can be made by considering the amount of pure hydrogen avail-
able. hydrogen is produced here at the same time as chlorine,
sodium hydroxide, and potassium hydroxide by electrolyzing solutions
of sodium and potassium chlorides.
~' Figures are on the basis of 100 percent nitric acid.
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On the basis of reliable information, which indicates a produc-
tion capacity of 17,000 tons of sodium hydroxide and 5,000 tons of
potassium hydroxide, 5.6 million cubic meters of pure hydrogen would
be available for ammonia synthesis. 39/
Theoretically, about 2,000 cubic meters of pure hydrogen
would be required per ton of ammonia produced. If allowance is made,
however, for loss and inefficiency, about 2,200 cubic meters of hydro-
gen are actually required to produce 1 ton of ammonia.
If 5.6 million cubic meters of hydrogen are available, the
maximum production of synthetic ammonia will be about 2,600 to
2,700 tons per year. Increasing electrolytic efficiency or capacity
could make more hydrogen available for a slight increase in ammonia
production. Since 1950 there has been no evidence of new construction
in the electrolytic department.
The production of profitable dyes and specialty products has
been based largely on the availability of nitric acid, Until 1950,
nitric acid capacity was 1,500 tons per year (100 percent basis , in-
cluding acid of 36 percent, 1+8 percent, and 80 percent strength. The
equipment was in poor condition, and definite plans were made to in-
stall new plant facilities for the production of 3,600 tons of nitric
acid. This would probably amount to about 2,200 tons on a 100 percent
basis, and this is assumed to represent current capacity.
The Spolek Plant is not believed to possess capacity for any
significant production of concentrated nitric acid. During World War II,
Germany obtained about 6,000 tons of.ni:tric acid (98 percent) per year
from the Aussiger Verein at Prague, but this- is believed to have been
produced at Semtin.
~+. Stalin Works . ~+0/
a.
Full Name.
Stalinovy Zavody (Stalin Works).
b.
Location.
Zaluzi (near Most).
c.
Coordinates. 50?34' N - 13?36' E.
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d. Estimated Annual Capacity (Metric Tons).
Synthetic Ammonia
28,000 (15,000 to 35,000)
e. Estimated Annual Production (Metric Tons).
Synthetic Aimnonia
1953 Negligible
1954 22,000 (12,000 to 28,ooa)
Specific process and operating conditions are not known.
Hydrogen is available from Winkler generators, which also provide
the hydrogen for synthetic fuel production. Nitrogen is available
from Linde-Frankl air machines, which produce oxygen used in the
production of synthetic fuel.
g. Comments.
The estimates listed above are based solely on actual plans
made zn 1g48, as interpreted with the aid of sparse current intelligence.
A hydrogenation plant of this type is an ideal location for the syn-
thesis of ammonia. .Raw materials, high-pressure equipment, and properly
trained personnel are already available.
According to a reliable report, designs were prepared dur-
ing 1947 for an ammonia unit with an annual capacity of 35,000 to
40,000 tons. Political influence sub sequentlry caused plans to be
made for the construction of a plant in the vicinity of Moravska
Ostrava with an annual capacity of about 50,000 tons of ammonia. At
that time (early 1948) it was decided to erect an ammonia synthesis
unit at the Stalin Works to start producing during 1952 at the rate
of 15,000 to 20,000 tons annually. Thais plant was well along in the
design stage by mid-1948. 41~
No plans were made to utilize the ammonia at the plant. A
pipeline to "Usti nod Labem or some undetermined place" was under
consideration, which is significant when it is realized that Lovosice
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is ,just south of Usti nad Labem and about 30 kilometers from Most. 42~
A 1952 report states that the new Nitrogen Products Plant at Lovosice
is connected by underground pipeline with the Stalin Works.'43/ A
later (1953) report indicating that the Nitrogen Products Plant at
Lovosice is using the ammonia produced at the Stalin Works confirms
the existence of this connecting. pipeline . ~+~+~
There have been reports of efforts by Czechoslovakia to obtain
plant and equipment from outside the country. An ammonia synthesis
plant was requested from the French firm, Air-Liquide, during 1950 or
early 1951. ~+5~ In the spring of 1952 the East German Central Off ice
for Research and Technology (ZAFT) received a request #'rom Czecho-
slovakia for information concerning a cracking unit to produce a
synthesis gas from cokery gas. The annual. capacity of a plant based
on such a cracking unit would be 2~+t000 to 28,000 tons of arrnnonia or
20,000 to 23,000 tons of nitrogen. 46~
The plant requested from France was not available, and there
is no report of a definite order or of delivery of the cracking unit
from East Germany. This equipment could be used at the Stalin Works
or to provide additional capacity at the Dusikarny Plant at Marianske
Hory.
It is not known when the plant will (or did) begin production,
but no substantial production was expected during 1953? The Nitrogen
Products Plant at Lovosice was not expected to be able to start pro-
ducing fertilizers until late 1953.
5. Nitrogen Products Plant at Lovosice. ~+7~
a. Location. Lovosice.
b. Coordinates. 50031' N - l~+?0~+' E.
c. Estimated Annual Capacity. Not available.
d. Estimated Annual Production (Metric Tons).
Nitrogen Fertilizer (Nitrogen Content) .
1953 Negligible
195+ 18, o00 (11, o0o to 2~+, o00 )
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The specific process and equipment to be used are not
known. The various processes, however, differ only in details.
Most of the fertilizer produced at present is probably ammonium
sulfate, but some ammoniated superphosphates may be produced.
f. Comments.
This is the plant publicly identified as the proposed.
Martinov Plant at Hlucin. Construction was stopped at Hlucin in
1950, and the project was abandoned. The site at Lovosice is re-
ported not suitable in all respects. ~8~ The nitrogen fertilizer
plant is one of a group of plants at Lavosice producing sulfuric
acid, superphosphates, and rayon.
There are no facilities for the production of a synthesis
gas, ammonia, or nitric acid. ~A logical development for the near
future would be the installation of equipment for the production of
nitric acid.
In 19+8, plans were made for the production of synthetic
ammonia at the Stalin Works and for the installation of an underground
pipeline to transport the ammonia. ~+9~ A 1952 report conf firms the
existence of such a pipeline between the Nitrogen Products Plant at
Lovosice and the Stalin Works, a distance of about 30 kilometers, 50~
and a 1953 report states that the Nitrogen Products Plant at Lovosice
is using the ammonia produced at the Stalin Works. 51~
The estimated production of nitrogen fertilizers is based
solely on the estimated availability of synthetic ammonia from the
Stalin Works. There is no positive intelligence showing that the
fertilizer plant is as large as that originally planned for the
Martinov Plant.
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APPENDIX B
BRIEF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY OF THE FrXED NI'T'ROGEN INDUSTRY
1. Introduction.
As an element in natural and synthesized chemical compounds, nitre-
gen is essential to both agrarian and industrial economies. In agri-
culture it is utilized primarily for fertilizer. In industry it is
essential for the production of explosives, plastics, dyes, pharma-
ceuticals, and other industrial chemicals. This report considers only
the major nitrogen compounds: synthetic ammonia, nitric acid, acid
nitrogen fertilizers.
Prior to 1900, chemical, or fixed, nitrogen (as distinct from
nitrogen occurring naturally in vegetable and animal matter) was sup-
plied by Chilean. saltpeter (sodium nitrate), and ammonia was obtained
as a byproduct from the coking of coal. By the turn of the century,
increasing nitrogen requirements caused scientists to consider the
atmosphere, with its 75 percent nitrogen by weight, as a raw material.
Today, elemental nitrogen may be obtained by the fractional distilla-
tion of .liquid air.
The calcium cyanamide process was the first commercial process to
utilize nitrogen from the air. This process, developed in Germany
about 1900, was based on the principle that metallic carbides will
readily absorb nitrogen gas and form solid cyanamides. Calcium
cyanamide so formed can be used as fertilizer. Fuxther treatment of
this compound will result in the formation of other nitrogen-bearing
compounds.
With the advent of low-cost hydroelectric power, interest in an
electric arc process was revived, and in 1904 a successful operation
was begun in Norway. In this process, air is passed through an
electric arc which burns a small fraction of the nitrogen to nitric
oxide. The electric arc process and the cyanamide process both re-
quire considerable electric energy, as calcium carbide, used in the
cyanamide process, is produced in an electric furnace.
The direct synthetic ammonia (Haber-Bosch) process, developed in
Germany in 1910, provides the most economical method of nitrogen
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fixation by the combination of atmospheric nitrogen with hydrogen to
form synthetic gaseous ammonia. This process has now almost entirely
replaced the two earlier processes. The cyanamide process is still
used as a means of fixing atmospheric nitrogen for fertilizer but
not as a producer of ammonia and ammonia salts.
The hydrogen required for the Haber-Bosch process may be ob-
tained from any of several sources.: (a) electrolytic chlorine cells,
(b) electrolytic decomposition of water, (c) semi-water gas from coke,
(d) coke-oven gas, (e) natural gas, (f) gas from lignite, or (g) petro-
leum refinery gas. The source utilized by any particular plant will
depend on the installation and on availability of raw material.
Today, synthetic ammonia produced by the Haber-Bosch rocess, or
one of its several modifications, provides approximately ~0 percent
of the world's production of chemical nitrogen for industrial and
agricultural use. 52~
Nitrogen is made available for commercial use in the following
forms: (a) aqua ammonia, ammonia in a water solution, for use as
liquid fertilizer or as an inexpensive base in a multitude of indus-
trial reactions; (b) liquid anhydrous ammonia (under pressure) for
use as a refrigerant; and (c) gaseous or liquid ammonia for use in
the production of ,industrial organic chemicals and explosives.
T.n peacetime the mayor requirements of synthetic ammonia are for
the production of nitric acid, nitrogen fertilizers, and commercial
explosives. In wartime, nitrogen compounds synthesized from ammonia
are indispensable,-and the ammonium nitrate used as fertilizer in
peacetime becomes a mayor component of explosives. In addition, am-
monia and concentrated. nitric ,acid are required in the manufacture of
all conventional (nonatomic) military explosives. Concentrated nitric
acid is used ~s an oxidizer for rocket and guided missile petroleum-
base fuels. $ydrazine, N2H~, is used as a fuel or fuel igniter in
rockets and in the Walther torpedo.
~. Technology.~-
a. Synthetic Ammonia.
Synthetic ammonia, NH3, is produced by combining atmospheric
nitrogen with hydrogen.
~ A chart illustrating the technology of the fixed nitrogen industry
fOllOWS p. 1FG.
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The processes used throughout the world are based almost ex-
clusively on the original Haber-Bosch method of bringing pure hydro-
gen and nitrogen together under suitable conditions of pressure and
temperature in the presence of a positive catalyst and the subsequent
recovery of the ammonia produced. The production of synthetic ammonia
consists basically of four well-defined steps: (1) production of the
hydrogen-nitrogen gas mixture, (2) purif ication of the-gas mixture,
(3) compression of the hydrogen-nitrogen mixture and the synthesis of
arnrnonia, and (~+) recovery of pure ammonia from the unreacted gases.
The production and purification of the synthesis gas (3 parts hydro-
gen and 1 part nitrogen) account _f or approximately 75 percent of the
manufacturing cost of synthetic ammonia. Nitrogen from the atmosphere
is supplied by 1 of 3 methods: (1) air can be liquefied under pressure,
and the pure nitrogen recovered by distillation; (2) air can be intro-
duced into the gas generator and burned to remove the oxygen; or
(3) steam and air can be blown continuously through an incandescent
bed, resulting in the formation of a gas containing nitrogen, hydrogen,
and carbon monoxide.
There are many technical differences among the dozen or so
commercial processes in use throughout the world, but the major dif -
ference~ one which can be used to identify a particular process, lies
in the operating pressure used in the synthesis. Typical pressures
range from slightly below 100 atmospheres in the Mont Cenis process
to slightly over 1,000 atmospheres in the Claude process. The operating
temperatures range from x+00?C to 650?C. Regardless of the specif is
source of nitrogen and hydrogen utilized, the equipment must be of
sufficiently rugged construction to withstand the high pressures and
temperatures required and must be lined with special corrosion-resis-
tant alloys.
The conversion of the gas mixture to ammonia is realized in
useful percentages only in the presence of a catalyst (material which
promotes a desired chemical reaction without itself becoming part of
the final product). Arty' one of several catalysts may be employed,
depending upon the particular operating temperature and pressure.
Maintenance of the catalyst constitutes a technical problem of some
magnitude, for it may be easily "poisoned" (activity reduced). by the
presence of foreign material (especially sulfur) in the reactive gas
mixture. The variables of temperature, pressure, and catalyst com-
bine to determine the single-pass degree of conversion of the gas
mixture into synthetic ammonia.
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b. Nitric Acid.
Nitric acid, HN03, is normally produced in two grades, weak
and concentrated. The weak nitric acid is a water solution with an
,acid content of 40 to 65 percent. Concentrated nitric acid is acid
which is 96 to 99 percent pure.
:The earliest method used commercially to produce nitric acid
involved the treatment of sodium nitrate with sulfuric acid in cast
iron retorts. The residue 3n the retort .after the distillation period
contains sodium bisulfate and excess sulfuric acid. This residue,
called niter cake, is a raw material in the manufacture of hydro-
ch_loric acid.
Another method of producing nitric oxide and, in turn, nitric
acid is the electric arc process, one which is not currently in general
use.
Most nitric acid is made by the oxidation of ammonia. Al-
though different installations may vary somewhat in equipment design
and operating conditions, the basic procf;ss involves the following
steps: (1) ammonia is oxidized to nitric: oxide by passing a mixture
of ammonia gas and air, or air enriched with oxygen, through a con-
verter, usually employing a platinum-rhodium gauze catalyst, at about
750oC; and (2) the resulting nitric oxide is cooled and further oxi-
dized to nitrogen dioxide, which is absorbed in water to form a weak
nitric acid solution...
If ammonia oxidation is carried out at atmospheric pressure,
a nitric acid of about 40 to 55 percent strength is obtained. If it
is carried out at pressures up to lOd pounds per square inch, the
product contains from 60 to 65 percent nitric acid.
Concentrated nitric acid can then be produced in two ways:
(1) the weak nitric acid is mixed with sulfuric acid in a retort and
distilled to produce a concentrated nitric acid of 99 percent strength;
or (2) the ammonia oxidation process, as used to produce weak nitric
acid from nitrogen dioxide, is further employed to polymerize the
nitrogen dioxide to nitrogen tetraoxide. TYiis liquid nitrogen tetra-
oxide is then heated under high pressure (autoclaving) with weak nitric
acid and gaseous oxygen to produce concentrated nitric acid up to 99-
percent strength. This process is known as the Fauser process.
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c. Nitrogen Fertilizers.
Principal fertilizer constituents-containing nitrogen are as
follows: nitrates of ammonium, sodium, calcium, and potassium;
ammonium salts such as sulfate, phosphate, chloride, and nitrate;
ammonia for ammoniating superphosphates;calcium cyanamide; and
synthetic urea. Each compound can be used separately or as a com-
ponent of a mixed fertilizer. The production processes for several
of the major tonnage items will be discussed here. Small quantities
of certain of these products are recovered as byproducts of other
manufacturing processes. Most of-such production, however, is pro-
vided by the chemical reactions of ammonia or nitric acid with various
inorganic compounds. This type of production must be carried out in
heavy, but comparatively simple, equipment..
Ammonium nitrate solution is produced by reacting ammonia
with dilute nitric acid (about ~+0 percent pure). The water is
evaporated, leaving the commercial product in crystalline form.
Ammonium nitrate tends to absorb moisture from the atmosphere, and
it has been necessary to devise methods for granulating and coating
the salt to keep it dry and free flowing. Pelleting, by liquefying
and spraying into a cooling chamber tta make small, solid balls with
a hard outer surface, is one method of obtaining the desired proper-
ties,
Large tonnages of sodium nitrate are made by reacting soda
ash from the ammonia-soda, or Solvay, proces"s with nitric acid from
ammonia oxidatio~i. End use as a fertilizer or as an explosive com-
ponent is determined by grain size and purity of the product. The
smaller grain sizes are used for gunpower manufacture.
Ammonium sulfate may be produced by three commercial methods:
(1) ammonia solution recovered from coke oven byproducts is reacted
with sulfuric acid; (2) synthetic ammonia is reacted with sulfuric
.acid, yielding a very pure product when recovered by crystallizing
and centrifuging; and (3) ammonium carbonate is reacted with finely
ground gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate) forming insoluble calcium
carbonate and dissolved ammonium sulfate, the two salts are separated
by filtration, the ammonium sulfate is crystallized upon evaporation,
and the crystals are then centrifuged and further dried in a rotary
dryer.
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The economical production of ammonia by the Haber-Bosch
process has made practical use of ammoniated superphosphates as
fertilizers, A strong ammonia solution (40 to 80 percent ammonia)
is sprayed onto a charge. of superphosphates in a rotating mixer.
The, action of the mixer constantly exposes new surfaces to the
ammonia. In this process any residual sulfuric acid in the super-
phosphate which would cause rotting of the shipping bags is neutra-
lized.
Calcium cyanamide, CaCN2, formerly the intermediate in the
production of ammonia, is widely used as a fertilizer or as an
ingredient in mixed fertilizers. Calcium cyanamide is formed when
nitrogen gas is brought into contact with finely ground calcium
carbide in a cylindrical oven at a, temperature up to about 1,000oC.
When the reaction is completed, after 40 to 60 hours, the mass is
cooled and pulverized. Water is added to decompose any free calcium
carbide and to hydrate the lime. The addition of oil diminishes
dustiness. The black powder remaining contains about 60 percent
calcium cyanamide and about 22 percent fixed nitrogen. It is used
as an ingredient in mixed fertilizer. '
Synthetic urea, NH2CONH2, can be produced commercially by
reacting carbon dioxide with calcium cyanamide in water and then
hydrolyzing the free .cyanamide so formed with acid. It may also be
produced by the indirect dehydration of the intermediate, ammonia
carbaxnate; formed by the reaction of excess ammonia and carbon
dioxide under high pressure. Urea fertilizers contain more fixed
nitrogen (in excess of 40 percent) than any other fertilizer. In
addition, urea has an important application in the- manufacture of
plastics and resins (urea.-formaldehyde type).
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o
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APPENDIX C
METHODOLOGY
1. Production.
a. Synthetic Ammonia, Table 2.
There are available reliable statistics on individual plant
and national production of synthetic ammonia in Czechoslovakia prior
to World War II. National production of synthetic aimnonia in 191+7
and 181+8 was reported by Czechoslovakia, and some logical estimates
for 191+9 and 1950 have been made. These estimates are based largely
on the requirements for the production of nitrogen fertilizer in
Czechoslovakia as that production has .been reported.
In this report, national estimates from 181+9 to 1951+ have
been developed from individual plant estimates. The plant estimates
for the period before World War II and for 191+6 througki 191+8 are
considered firm, for they have been substantiated by reported and
planned national production. Production since 191+9 has been esti-
mated for each plant on the basis of plant intelligence showing
increased activity, expansion, and rebuilding. The unusually broad
range given for 1951+ production is dictated by the uncertainty sur-
rounding the installation of major new facilities. For specific
plant information, see Appendix A.
b. Nitric Acid, Table 1+.
All national production estimates have been derived from
individual plant estimates. Plant estimates, in turn, are based on
the comparatively well-known availability of synthetic ammonia,
specific plant information concerning equipment and production of
nitric acid, and the requirements for nitric acid. A large probable
range of production is given because the estimates were indirectly
derived. For specific plant information, see Appendix A.
c. Fertilizer Nitrogen, Table 7.
Estimates of production prior to World War II are taken from
reliable. comprehensive statistics.. National production of nitrogen
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fertilizers was reported for 191+6 through 191+8, and logical estimates
for later years .have been published. The Five Year Plan was also
considered in making later estimates.
Firm national production estimates were used to check indi-
vidual plant estimates through 191+8. Since that time individual
.plant estimates have been made on the basis of additional plant
information indicating expansion, rebuilding, and production. Indi-
vidual plant estimates now provide the basis for national production
estimates. For spec~.fic plant information, see Appendix A.
d. Ammonium Nitrate and Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizers
from Synthetic Ammonia, Table
Again, reliable pre-World War TI information helped by pro-
viding a guide for this type of breakdown in production estimates.
Up to 1939 the highest annual production of ammonium sulfate from
synthetic ammonia amounted to the equivalent of 5,500 tons of nitro-
gen. One plant is currently the only source of this particular
fertilizer, and estimated production is believed to be between 4,000
and 7,000 tons of nitrogen.
Gomparative],y firm production estimates for ammonium sulfate
and calcium cyanamide account for a certain percentage of the total
available fertilizer nitrogen. The remaining available nitrogen
has been divided between. the major nitrate fertilizer, arrnnonium
nitrate, and one category of "other nitrates." In all cases, these
estimates were checked against available plant information.
2. Consumption Requirements.
a. Synthetic Ammonia, Table 16.
The estimate of the requirement for-the production of nitrogen
fertilizers is comparatively firm. According to Table 7, 19,OOb tons
of the fertilizer nitrogen produced during 1953 in Czechoslovakia will
come from synthetic ammonia. This is equivalent to about 23,100 tons
of ammonia, or 59 percent of the available supply.
This figure includes that ammonia converted to nitric acid
which, in turn, is converted to fertilizer. In this manner the nitro-
gen contributed to fertilizer production by nitric acid (Table 17)
is included in this estimate of 23,100 tons of synthetic ammonia.
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The ~`emaining 41 percent of the available synthetic ammonia
is then divided between explosives and miscellaneous industrial uses.
This distribution estimate is considered logical but not. firm. The
.allocation for explosives will cover the production of the required
nitric acid (Table 17) plus the ammonia required for the production
of perhaps 5,000 tons of ammonium nitrate at the Synthesis Plant.
This much ammonium nitrate, in addition to the requirements for
fertilizer,. is probably available there.
b. Nitric Acid, Table 17.
See the methodology used in the preparation of Table l~.
Nitric acid provides the nitrate form of nitrogen for nitro-
gen fertilizers. According to Table 8, production of ammonium
nitrate fertilizer will require 11,000 tons of nitrogen during 1953?
As 50 percent of this nitrogen is nitrate nitrogen, about 5,500 tons
of nitrogen will be required from nitric acid. About 2,500 tons of
nitrate nitrogen will also be required for the production of the
"other nitrates." The total amount of 8,000 tons of nitrate nitrogen
will be supplied by about 32,000 tons of nitric acid (100 percent.
basis). Depending on the efficiency of the various processes involved,
the probable range of this requirement for nitric acid is 31,000 to
34,000 tons.
The remaining 1,500 tans Of the available nitric acid will
provide the well developed explosives industry with about 11,000 tons,
and 5,500 tons will be available for miscellaneous uses. These las-~
two estimates of requirements are considered logical in view of the
sizes of the consuming industries, but they are not firm.
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APPENDIX D
GAPS IN TNI'ELLIGENCE
The productive capacity for fixed nitrogen at the older plants
in Czechoslovakia is relatively well known. It would be of great
value, however, to know the current rate of production of bath syn-
thetic ammonia and nitric acid. For this purpose, information con-
cerning actual production at the individual plants will be most
helpful .
The most glaring gap in intelligence on these strategic com-
modities is the status of new plants. Confirmation of the relation-
ship between the Stalin Works and the Nitrogen Products Plant at
Lovosice is needed. If original plans are being followed, the new
synthetic ammonia plant at the Stalin Works will eventually-double
the previous national production .of synthetic ammonia. Thus it is
essential that information concerning the capacity and production
of this plant be obtained. It will also be important to obtain more
information concerning production at the Nitrogen Products-Plant at
Lovosice. What specific nitrogen fertilizers are produced? How
much? It can be assumed that Within a very few years a new instal-
lation for the production of nitric acid will. be erected, probably
at Lovosice. It will be extremely important to know the capacity
of such a plant, particularly for the possible production of con-
centrated nitric acid, and to know the date the plant begins operation.
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APPENDIX E
SOURCES AND EVALUATION OF SOURCES
1. Evaluation of Sources.
The United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration report,
Estimated Post-War Import Requirement"s of Czechoslovakia .for Chemicals
and Allied Products, provided valuable, reliable, and comparatively
detailed information concerning the fixed nitrogen industry of Czecho-
slovakia prior to World War II. Many of the statistics contained in
this report were originally published as official Czechoslovak
statistics.
Of the postwar intelligence reports, the most complete and reliable
is a CIA SO document which has been translated by FDD. This CIA SO
document contains miscellaneous official documents related to current
and planned activities of the chemical industry in Czechoslovakia as
of 1948. They were drawn up by a technical commission and are con-
sidered reliable except that many of the plans have been altered or~
have not been achieved on schedule.
Since 1949, information concerning this .industry has been available
25X1rgely as reports of activities at individual plants. The various
stract services, including
have provided the most regular informs ion o t Zs type. Since 1951,
defector interrogations have provided an increasing number of valuable
reports concerning individual plants.
2. Sources.
Evaluations, following the classification entry and designated
'oval.," have-the following significance:
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A - Completely reliable
B - Usually reliable
C -Fairly reliable
D - Not. usually reliable
E - Not reliable
F -Cannot be ,judged
6 - Cannot be fudged
Doc. - Documentary
1
- Confirmed by other
sources
2
- Probably true
3
- Possibly true
4
- Doubtful
5
- Probably false
"Documentary" refers to original documents of foreign governments
and organizations; copies or translations of such documents by a
staff officer; or information extracted from such documents by a
staff officer, all of which will carry the field evaluation "Docu-
mentary" instead of a numerical grade.
Evaluations not otherwise designated are those appearing on
the cited document; those designated "RR" are by the author of
this report. No "RR" evaluation is given when the author agrees
with the evaluation on the cited document.
3?
4. State, Vienna Despatch No. 4~+2,
25X1A2g Aug 1952) . S. Eval. RR B-2.
Sep 1952 (info..
Army, EUCOM, '7707 ECIC, RT-272-52, ICF-13626, 14 Apr 1952
(info., Jan 1952) (CIA C-10399). S: Eval. RR F-2.
25X1A2g 5. State, Vienna Despatch No. ~+~+2, op. cit.
25X1A2g
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6. FAO, Commodity Series, Fertilizers, Bulletin 17, Sep 1949.
U. Eval. RR B-3.
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration,
Estimated Post-War Im ort Requirements of Czechoslovakia for
Chemicals and Allied Products, 19 C. Eval. RR B-2.
7. Czechoslovak Republic, Statni Urad Statisticky, Statistical
.Digest of the Czechoslovak Republic, Prague, 19 , p. .
U. Eval. RR F-2.
8. United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration,
op. cit.
9. CIA. FDD, Special Translation, No. 15, 5 Apr 1951 (Czechoslovak
Five-Year Plan for Agriculture, 1948), p. 67. S. Eval. RR F-2.
10. United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration,
off. cit.
11. Czechoslovak Republic, Statni Urad Statisticky, off. cit.,
pp. 51, 58, and 88.
12. Aikman, Ltd,, Fertilizer Reports, London, 1949-52.
U. Eval. RR B-3.
25X1A2g
14.
MSA, Vienna, TOMUS D-100, 19 Jan 1953 (CIA 1103759)?
R. Eval. RR B-2.
State, Paris Despatch No. 1136, 22 May 1950. S. Eval. RR B-2.
~~~aris Despatch No. 341, 6 Aug 1951. S. Eval. RR B-2.
S a e, ienna Despatch No. 673, 18 Jan :1951. U. Eval. RR B-2.
Chemische Industrie, Vol. 6, Berlin, Jun-1952, p. 426..
U. Eval. RR C-2.
15. United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, op. cit.
16. CIA FDD, Special Translation, No. 15, op. cit.
17. Czechoslovak Economic Bulletin, No. 26+x, Prague, 1 Feb 1953?
U. Eval. RR C-l.
lg. Ibid.
20. Tariff Commission, Chemical Nitrogen, Report No. 114,
Second Series, 1937, p. U. Eval. RR A-2.
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21. CIA/RR 24, The Nitric Acid Industry in the USSR, ~+ Jun 1953,
p. 21. S~ US OFFICIALS ONLY. Eval. RR B-3:
22. A.M. Dubovitskiy and A.I. Shereshevskiy, Tekhnologiya
mineral'nykh udobreniy (Technolo~,y of Mineral Fertilizers),
Moscow-Leningrad, 19 , p. 316. U. Eval. RR F-2.
23. Ibid., p. 281.
24. Ibid., p. 263.
25. Ibid., p. 361.
26. NIE 90. S. Eval. RR B-3.
27. State, Paris Despatch No. 2185, 7 Feb 1951. C. Eval. RR F-2.
Air, USAFE, OSI, IG, Wringer Report No. 49-15-642-0650,
16 Jun 1950 (info., May 1949). S. Eval. RR F-2.
Arrr~y, USFA, ID-HQ, IBI-C166-L/8i4, Aug 1949. C.
Eval. RR F-3.
CIA IR Microfilm 1137, I.G. Farben Economic Studies
(info., 1938). C. Eval. RR F-3.
United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration,
31. lb id.
32. United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration,
off. cit.
33. Memorandum from an executive of US chemical engineering
Association of British Chemical Manufacturers, Report
on Mission to Czechoslovakia, 1948. S. Eval. RR B-2.
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25X1A2c
Army, EUCOM, 7707 ECIC, RT-533-52, 17 Jun 1952 (CIA C-10770).
S. Eval. RR F-3.
25X1A2c
US Strategic Bombing Survey, Oil Division, Powler, Explosives,
S ecial Rocket and Jet Pro ellants, War Gases and Smoke
Acid, Jan 19 7. U. Eval. RR B-2.
Army, USFA, G-2, R-994-53, 13 Mar 1953 (info., May 1952).
S. Eval. RR F-3.
34. Association of British Chemical Manufacturers, op. cit.
35 ? Ibid.
36. Ibid.
37. Ibid.
38. Memorandum from an executive of US chemical engineering firm,.
Nov 1948. S. E val. RR B-3.
25X1A2g
E.R. Riegel, Industrial Chemistry, New York, 1949, p. 123.
U. Eval. RR B-2.
State, HICOG, Frankfurt Despatch No. 2519, 12 Mar 1951
(info., Oct 1950). S. Eval. RR F-2.
Association of British Chemical Manufacturers, op. cit.
25X1A2g
Army, USFA, Special Bi-weekly Report, No. 124, 18 Aug 1950.
S. Eval. RR F-3.
39. State, HICOG, Frankfurt Despatch No. 2.519, op. cit.
40.
25X1A2g
41.
42.
43.
44.
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45. State, Paris Despatch No?. 2185, op. cit.
46.
47.
.The New York Times, 8 Dec 1952. U. Eval. RR B-2.
Rude Pravo, No. 310, Prague, 20 Nov 1952. U. Eval. RR F-3.
ArtrXy, MA, Prague ~ R-1-51, 9 Jan 1951 ( info . , Dec 1950 .
48. The New York Times
49.
51. Ibid.
52. Chemical Construction Co., A Brief Survey of the World's
Synthetic Ammonia Capacities, 19 9-1950, New York, p.
C. Eval. RR B-1.
25X1A2g
25X1A2g
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