The 30,000 tons per year vehicle urea production project at China National Petroleum Ningxia Petrochemical Company was commissioned successfully on the first attempt

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Successful First Operation of China National Petroleum Ningxia Petrochemical Company’s 30,000-ton/year Vehicle Urine Project Author/Source: Date: 2019-03-01 Clicks: 32 After the project was handed over for system commissioning on November 29, 2018, and following more than a month of inspections, problem resolution, and further system testing, at 16:00 on February 22, the company’s 30,000-ton/year vehicle urine project was ready for operation; it succeeded in its first attempt to produce qualified diesel exhaust treatment fluid. Upon testing, all quality parameters of the product met the requirements; the urea content was 32.8%, which fulfilled the design specifications. The vehicle urea project is an important initiative by the company to diversify its urea product portfolio and to actively explore the transformation and development of its fertilizer business. Vehicle urea, scientifically known as diesel engine exhaust treatment fluid, consists of 31.8–33.3% high-purity urea and 68.2–66.7% deionized water. Its mechanism of action involves the use of ammonia generated through the pyrolysis of urea to carry out redox reactions with nitrogen oxides in vehicle exhaust, resulting in the formation of nitrogen and water, thereby reducing pollution caused by nitrogen oxide emissions. At present, the domestic market for vehicle urea is still in its infancy, with significant market potential and demand. Based on the current number of diesel vehicles in the country, if all vehicle exhaust gases were to be treated, approximately 7 million tons of diesel exhaust treatment agents would be needed each year, while the national annual production capacity is only around 2 million tons. In order to seize market opportunities, further diversify the urea product portfolio, and create new sources of economic growth for the company, while also exploring effective ways to transform and upgrade the fertilizer production operations, with the strong support of the group company, in 2016 the company, under the leadership of its Science and Technology Management Department and with the participation of units such as the Marketing and Logistics Department and Fertilizer Plant No. 1, officially commenced research and development work on new products. In September 2017, the feasibility study report for a project with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons of vehicle urea was completed. Construction began in August 2018, and it was completed on November 29 of the same year; thereafter, the process of third inspection, fourth verification, issue resolution, and system debugging ensued. As a production organization, the formaldehyde plant of the industrial company fulfills its local responsibilities; after the project was handed over, it carried out thorough inspections and adjustments, identifying 63 issues all of which have since been resolved. From December 28, 2018, to January 15, 2019, the personnel in charge of the vehicle urea system conducted systematic water commissioning tests on the system. On February 22, 2019, the production of vehicle urea began, and the first batch was produced successfully; the entire process was completed, resulting in the successful manufacture of finished vehicle urea. During the construction period, safety and environmental protection are under control; each step of the process is verified, ensuring steady progress without any setbacks. The entire plant operates smoothly, with all systems such as blending and filling functioning properly, thus successfully achieving the goal of a safe, stable, and controlled start-up with quality as the top priority. At present, the facility produces 30 tons of diesel exhaust purification liquid per day. It is reported that 5,000 tons of products are expected to be produced this year. To further develop auxiliary products for vehicles such as vehicle urea, the company will collaborate with the Lubricants Division of China National Petroleum Corporation. By leveraging its advantages in terms of brand reputation, production technology, and sales channels for such auxiliary products, the company will promote and sell its own vehicle urea products, thereby achieving good market results.