14.06.2019
On the 10th of June the team of Russian journalists visited Novodzhambul Phosphate Plant (NDPP), which is a part of Kazphosphate LLC, in Kazakhstan.
The cryogenic air separation unit of capacity of 8 thousand cubic meters of nitrogen per hour supplied to the plant in 2017 was manufactured by PJSC "Cryogenmash". At present, there are four units there, three of which were put into operation as long ago as in the 70s/80s.
Novodzhambul Phosphate Plant is one of the largest phosphate plants in their industry, the production of phosphate-containing products is carried out in parallel by two methods: thermal and extraction, which can be found, besides Kazakhstan, in Vietnam, China and the USA only. According to Mukash Iskandirov, General Director of Kazphosphate LLC, the company has at their disposal huge stock of raw materials, which, by the estimates, should be enough for centuries ahead. In this regard, the scale of production will only grow.
Nitrogen is necessary for the enterprise to melt ore in electric furnaces and to ensure explosion and fire safety at production facilities. When in contact with air, phosphorus is easily inflammable and therefore the system requires the presence of inert gas to be used for pipelines purging, displacement of excess oxygen and tanks inertization.
"The new unit is located next to the old one, which is more than 30 years old, they are identical units in terms of performance, but the modern one is four times smaller in size and more energy efficient, i.e. its power consumption is 30% less. And the fact that it is of modular type, and was fully manufactured, tested, assembled and brought here by road transport, allowed to save at least half a year for installation work", explained Maria Sokolova, General Director of PJSC "Cryogenmash", to journalists.
As to oxygen production, which is also necessary for a number of production processes, it will be provided with a special additional unit for an existing modern nitrogen plant. Currently, the unit is under construction in Balashikha, Moscow Region. The experience possessed in the plant improvement at NDFP will allow to offer a similar solution in future to Russian enterprises operating nitrogen plants of this type.
"This is a new series, a new generation of installations. Two such plants in Russia work at "VIZ-Stal", the third one is here. The solution for oxygen production is worked out here (in Kazakhstan). We believe that this solution will be later replicated in Russia, too," Maria Sokolova concluded.
More details can be found in the reports and videos below:
