Mazar-e-Sharif Fertilizer and Electricity Factory Enterprises – Photos of 1359 A.H
Mazar-e-Sharif Fertilizer and Electricity Factory, which has grown as the largest petrochemical company in the region since time immemorial, and with the passing of tens of years, has continued to work without interruption despite the challenges and constant ups and downs, and in order to provide a living It has had a positive effect on thousands of people and ultimately on the improvement of the country’s economy.
The necessity of building these factories was considered inevitable after the discovery of about 160 billion cubic meters of gas in the areas of Jawzjan province, considering the necessity of agriculture. As a result of the preliminary survey and the protocol contract of this factory in 1343 AH, it was signed between the Afghan government and the Soviet Union at that time, and its location was confirmed and determined based on the existence of water reserves by the Balkh Sea, 18 kilometers west of the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, and this The factory was established in 65 hectares of land in two parts, i.e. chemical fertilizer factory and thermal power plant in 1345 AH, the foundation stone of the fertilizer factory was laid on 21 Hamel 1346 H.
In the second year of 1350, the first turbine of the electricity factory was transported, and on the 17th of 1353, the chemical fertilizer factory started its production activity.
In this way, the construction period of this factory was completed after 9 years with the cost of 2.17 billion Afghanis equivalent to 48 million US dollars under the guidance of about 400 foreign specialists and the activity of about 3000 people of our compatriots. .
The chemical fertilizer factory with a maximum capacity of 105 thousand tons of urea fertilizer and the power plant with 4 turbines with a total capacity of 48 megawatts of thermal electricity started operating.
The basic raw materials of these factories are natural gas, water and air, which natural gas is procured from within the country, but what affects the intrinsic value of the product is the acquisition of other raw materials such as oils, parts, equipment, laboratory materials, Catalysts etc. are often procured from foreign sources.
The technological regimen of the fertilizer factory starts from the basic interactions of natural gas (methane) with water vapor and oxygen and by obtaining nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and ammonia, and in the last stage, it obtains urea fertilizer. that this process is possible in the presence of catalysts combined with heat up to 1100 degrees Celsius and final pressure up to 320 atmospheres considering the sensitive conditions of technical security and suitable equipment.
The technological regime of the factory is that electricity is produced by heating purified water in steam generators and then through turbines and generators.
In the first years of its production, Fertilizer and Electricity Factory won the first place in the competitions of the country’s industrial institutions and even in 1982, it participated in the competition of the world’s chemical institutions, which was held in the city of Caracas, the center of Venezuela, and won the gold award there. (Gold Mercury)
After spending about 40 years of uninterrupted work, the establishment of fertilizer and electricity factories, recently due to the consumption of equipment, watery gas wells, cancellation of government supply contracts, lack of receiving the necessary materials from the world markets and the evacuation of experienced workers from various work positions, now Its work efficiency has been reduced by 35 to 40 thousand tons of urea fertilizer and 12 megawatts of electricity, but it has continued its productive life until now.
In this factory, in addition to chemical fertilizer (urea) and thermal electricity, pure oxygen is also produced, which is sold in balloons and is used in the field of health and metal industries.
Lately, it has increased the production of Coca-Cola non-alcoholic soft drink and ice production in the summers among its products.
It should be remembered that more than 3000 technical and non-technical employees, including men and women, work in this factory.
The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is determined to increase the production capacity of this factory and provide more employment opportunities with basic repairs and installation of new equipment.