In the autumn of 1957, leaders of the Ministry of Chemical Industry adopted Hou Debang’s suggestion and decided to build a demonstr
In the autumn of 1957, leaders of the Ministry of Chemical Industry adopted Hou Debang’s suggestion and decided to build a demonstration test device for the production of ammonium bicarbonate fertilizer through the carbonization ammonia synthesis process as soon as possible. . Hou Debang conducted in-depth discussions with several nitrogen fertilizer experts, soda ash experts and designers. Xie Weijie and Liu Jiashu made many good suggestions. On the basis of obtaining basic political knowledge, everyone suggested using the original small production device of Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry to electrolyze water to produce hydrogen and produce synthetic ammonia, adopt the gas purification technology of Yongli Ning Plant using coal as raw material, and learn from the relevant technology of alkali production. , was transformed into a county-level nitrogen fertilizer plant test device with an annual output of 2,000 tons of ammonia and 8,000 tons of ammonium bicarbonate; and the design principles and key data of the relevant process flow and main equipment were formulated. With the approval of the ministry leaders, just after the Spring Festival in 1958, the small nitrogen fertilizer working group with Hou Debang as the team leader and Xie Weijie as the deputy team leader rushed to Shanghai to conduct on-site design, and organize the testing and manufacturing, construction, installation, and testing of equipment and materials. The working group worked very intensely and worked hard day and night. Hou Debang, who is nearly seventy years old, is busy focusing on key points and setting principles. The overall organizational work is mainly undertaken by Xie Weijie. On the basis of digesting and absorbing Hou Debang's intention and relevant expert suggestions, he applied his familiar experience in synthetic ammonia production technology and experience in experimental research on soda ash and combined alkali to supplement, improve, concrete, and organize the implementation. Specific technical issues such as the operating essentials and process parameters of each production position are mainly formulated by him. Relevant design issues are studied and solved together with the design team leader and relevant professional and technical backbones. Important issues related to construction, testing and other aspects are almost always contacted through him with the leaders of Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry and other units. At the end of April 1958, this device was completed. On May 1, the start-up test was carried out as planned. In the evening of that day, the process was completed and the first batch of ammonium bicarbonate fertilizer was produced. It has only been two months since the working group arrived in Shanghai to start work. It is truly a miracle that the heavy design, manufacturing, and installation tasks were completed in a short period of time, and the first trial was a success. Xie Weijie is indispensable.
The trial of the demonstration plant was initially successful, and some places started to build small nitrogen fertilizer plants in response. Because the technology is not yet mature and the equipment is not matched, there are many problems. The Ministry of Chemical Industry decided to establish a small nitrogen fertilizer office headed by Xie Weijie, which will be responsible for continuing experiments, organizing complete sets of manufacturing and supply of small nitrogen fertilizer equipment, and gradually promoting the establishment of factories in a planned manner. Under the leadership of Hou Debang, they seized the demonstration device of the Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry and selected the first batch of 13 small nitrogen fertilizer plants with good conditions as test sites. They focused on organizing tests to expose and solve process technologies, equipment and materials. As well as problems existing in different regions and under different conditions, summarize and exchange experiences and make continuous improvements to facilitate early clearance and effective promotion. During his work, Xie Weijie also focused on working closely with Chen Dong, chief engineer of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Chemical Industry, to conduct careful observation and testing at the Danyang Fertilizer Plant that adheres to the new process. On the basis of strict operation and management, he gradually adjusted the gas supply volume of different carbonized gas sources. Finally, Water washing is eliminated, and the method of carbonization using shift gas is realized, which solves the problem of ammonia and carbon dioxide balance. It passed the technical barrier in 1962 and passed the economic barrier in 1963. During this process, the Small Nitrogen Fertilizer Office organized timely exchanges of experience among various test sites, learned from each other's strengths, and continuously improved. These test sites also achieved success one after another, and the leadership of the promotion and construction of small nitrogen fertilizer plants was gradually strengthened. In 1965, 87 of China's existing small nitrogen fertilizer plants achieved normal production. At the same time, the Small Nitrogen Fertilizer Office focused on Shanghai and Jiangsu in organizing trial production and complete set manufacturing and supply of equipment. With the strong support of the central and local people's governments and relevant departments, it successively solved the problem of mass production and supply of small nitrogen fertilizers around 1965. The problem of complete sets of equipment has created necessary technical conditions for the establishment of small nitrogen fertilizer plants in various places. Due to the success of the new process of producing ammonium bicarbonate through the carbonization ammonia synthesis process, the production of synthetic ammonia and ammonia processing were integrated. Therefore, starting from 1965, the establishment of factories was rapidly promoted in various places. In 1979, the total number of small nitrogen fertilizer plants in China reached more than 1,500, and their output has long accounted for more than half of the total nitrogen fertilizer output.
In the autumn of 1957, while the Ministry of Chemical Industry decided to build a county-level nitrogen fertilizer plant demonstration device in Shanghai, it also decided to build a chemical experimental plant in Beijing as a district-level nitrogen fertilizer plant demonstration device, with an annual output of 10,000 tons of synthetic ammonia, mixed with carbonic acid. 40,000 tons of ammonium hydrogen. Construction of the device began in 1958 and was basically completed in 1959. During the design, installation, and commissioning process, Xie Weijie was also very concerned, actively participated in discussions, and provided support. He, together with Fan Bolin, chief engineer of the Chemical Experimental Plant, and Huang Hongning, deputy chief engineer of the Chemical Design Institute, participated in shifts and directed experiments. This demonstration device added a water washing and decarbonization process, which is more convenient to operate, produces faster and more normally, and is more suitable for the needs of medium-sized nitrogen fertilizer plants. It played a positive role in the subsequent development of provincial nitrogen fertilizer plants and the gradual transformation and large-scale transformation of small nitrogen fertilizer plants.
In October 1965, the State Science and Technology Commission approved the technological invention of the "carbonization ammonia synthesis process to produce ammonium bicarbonate process". Four invention units including the Chemical Design Institute of the Ministry of Chemical Industry, Danyang Fertilizer Factory, and Shanghai Research Institute of Chemical Industry of the Ministry of Chemical Industry issued invention certificates and bonuses.