OREANDA-NEWS. November 26, 2010. The modernization of the Ammonia-3 shop is approaching completion at EuroChem’s NAK Azot plant in the Tula region. The major upgrades performed at the workshop will substantially reduce consumption of raw materials. Natural gas use per tonne of ammonia is expected to decrease by 15 m3/tonne, while energy consumption will be reduced by 5 kW/tonne. The reduced natural gas and electricity consumption will result in more efficient use of mineral resources. In addition, NAK Azot will be able to increase steam production by 0.04 Gcal/tonne to meet its own needs.

Implementation of the investment project helped to increase ammonia output for this unit to 1650 t/day. The modernization contributed to higher levels of automation. The shop’s laboratory was equipped with state-of-the-art analytical control devices facilitating the process of receiving analysis results essential for effective management of operations.

The financing for the project totaled more than RUR 200m.

Ammonia is used in production of nitric acid (HNO3), nitrogen mineral fertilizers, ammonium salts, hydrocyanic acid, soda ash, and as a refrigerant. In addition, ammonia is one of the main components in production of nitrogen fertilizers. It is essential in production of granulated urea. 

NAK Azot is the largest granulated urea production plant in Europe. Ammonia accounts for 60% of the raw materials used to produce urea.