Lots of achievements made in the chemical industry this year has opened up bright prospects for the country’s economic growth and the people’s improved livelihood. Many industrial establishments have upgraded their production processes, stepped up the Juche-orientation of raw and other materials and equipment and brought about a surge in production. “We have continued to make a dynamic advance in the face of all difficulties this year by dint of science and technology and in the spirit of self-reliance and self-development,” said Ju Myong Chol, department director of the Ministry of Chemical Industry.

Outcome of self-reliance and self-development

This year, the Namhung Youth Chemical Complex has notched up enormous successes. It increased the production of Juche fertilizer, put production of fourth-generation polymerizing catalyst on normal track to contribute to making artificial fibre with locally-available raw materials and produced functional triple sheets for agricultural use. Its greatest success this year is that it overhauled overall fertilizer production processes in a short period to make a breakthrough for a boost in Juche fertilizer production. Intensive repairs were made on more than 6 000 facilities including dozens of gas generators and washing towers and those of delivery and heating processes, and some production lines were refashioned. In order to supply castings needed for overhaul, innovative methods were introduced to shorten the casting time from 10 days to two hours and reduce material consumption to a 20th. Waste gas from the ammonia synthesis process was recycled to produce 10 000 tons of more Juche fertilizer in the year, and heated gas from the gas generator was used in the steam production process to save 100 tons of fuel a day. It also installed a conveyor in the rod coal-drying process to increase productivity 1.2 times while saving much labour and electricity and put the operating system of dozens of gas generators on an IT basis at a higher level.

The February 8 Vinalon Complex has also made great achievements that go a long way towards developing the chemical industry. It manufactured and installed dozens of facilities of over 10 kinds including reactor, dissolver and filter to complete the catalyst production process with a large capacity and launch into production. It also upgraded the raw material feeder in the caustic soda production process and refashioned the heavy metal recovery and treatment device to increase the recovery ratio to 98.5 percent.

Such salt producers as Namyang and Namsi salt works introduced the method of making salt with underground ultra-brine to reduce production area and equipment and save electricity and labour. The Namyang Salt Works, in particular, ensured the comprehensive mechanization of salt production based on underground ultra-brine by September 9, thereby increasing the yearly salt production capacity to tens of thousands of tons.

The Ponghwa Chemical Factory perfected the binder production process with a large capacity to contribute to the development of the metallurgical industry. It simultaneously carried on the technical preparations and construction for the process and, in the course of that, remodelled or manufactured and installed various pieces of equipment.

The Sunchon Chemical Complex refashioned its electric furnace to start the production of ferrosilicon, while the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex recycled the dust from gas generators to boost production and refashioned the raw material separation process to double the repair cycle.

In addition, the chemical industry sector pushed ahead with the technical preparations for the establishment of the C1 chemical industry and for the sufficient production and supply of raw materials for light industry, the remodelling and perfection of the process of producing carbonic soda with glauberite as the starting material and the construction of a phosphate fertilizer factory that will turn out high-concentration nitro-phosphor complex with domestic raw materials as starting materials.

Sci-tech key to Juche-orientation and modernization

This year, the chemical industry sector has made dozens of scientific and technological achievements in order to press on with the domestic production of raw and other materials and equipment and update lots of production processes.

The Namhung Youth Chemical Complex manufactured a new raw material grading device, which increases the activity and utilization factor of catalyst, and installed it in the production process of ammonia synthesizing catalyst. The rational remodelling of the operating mode of the device made it possible to increase productivity 1.2 times and the machine repair cycle much more than previously.

The February 8 Vinalon Complex upgraded its production processes and introduced into production many technical innovation plans to economize on materials and fuel. It also applied the techniques of controlling the reaction temperature and adjusting the state of each stage in the acetic acid synthesis process, thus reducing the consumption of materials per unit of product. The introduction of this technique has made it possible to reduce the consumption of raw materials and fuel for products and scientifically ensure the operation stability of the process. The complex improved the acetylene purification process to prevent the loss of raw materials, ensured the continuity of operation, increased the serviceable life of equipment and set up a raw material recovery system in the polyvinyl production process, thereby saving much electricity and improving the quality of products. The complex also established the waste catalyst recycling process and introduced several research findings into production, including an advanced technique for enhancing the security of gas holder. It remodelled the vinyl chloride synthesis process to save raw and other materials and improve the quality of products. The installation of a preheating system in the process has reduced the cubic volume of the reaction process while preventing the destruction of catalyst and ensuring the stability of production of vinyl chloride.

Such chemical industrial establishments as the Sunchon Chemical Complex, Songyong Paint Factory and Ponghwa Chemical Factory pushed the upgrading of production processes and introduced research findings for the domestic production of materials.

“Many research findings have been brought about this year. Each of techniques led to Juche fertilizer, catalyst or a guarantee for increased production and economy,” said Pak Ryong Il, official of the Ministry of Chemical Industry.

New products on the increase

Technicians worked hard to develop new products with domestic raw materials so as to propel the economic growth of the country and the improvement of the people’s livelihood.

The Ponghwa Chemical Factory developed a new type of binder. It reinforces the graphite electrode and lengthens its serviceable life while improving the quality of iron and steel and increasing their productivity. The factory established a process of producing thousands of tons of the binder a year, thereby opening up a sure prospect for turning out quality graphite electrode with local materials.

The February 8 Vinalon Complex developed a catalyst with wide application. Plasticizer and other substances can be made with it as a starting material and therefore it is widely used in light industry and other economic sectors. The Hungnam Fertilizer Complex also developed various catalysts with locally-available materials.

The Songyong Paint Factory also developed various paints including an anion-generating paint, dolomite-pig iron slag coating material and pearly paint. The anion-generating paint made of high-concentration tourmaline is a functional paint that constantly generates anion which is good for health.

The dolomite-pig iron slag coating material made by adopting a recycling technique is highly resistant to detergency, water and freezing and more adhesive than other coating materials of the same series. The pearly paint has nearly twice greater ornamental effects and glossiness than previous paints. Made with domestic materials, the paint can be applied to wood and ironwork like chassis.

Meanwhile, dozens of chemical products have been developed this year, including a new Terra Cottem that helps double water absorption ratio of saplings as compared to previously and ensures their rooting rate at 98 percent.

“All the new products have been made with domestic raw materials and techniques. Those products of self-reliance are the outcome of our determination to develop products with domestic materials,” said Pae Myong Hui, official of the Ministry of Chemical Industry.