General Introduction
Khorasan Petrochemical Company is one of the largest industrial units in the country in the field of chemical production, located in the Bijaroud region, the capital of North Khorasan Province, covering an area of over 204 hectares. This company is considered one of the most important infrastructure projects in the country, which was approved in 1992, and its first phase was launched in 1996. (Wikipedia 1)
Establishment History
Initial Idea and Early Support (Before 1989)
Due to the shortage of ammonia and chemical fertilizers in the country during the war, the people and officials of Khorasan Province called for the establishment of a chemical fertilizer production complex. Considering the availability of feedstock resources such as the Khanguiran and Sarakhs refineries, a decision was made to develop the chemical fertilizer industry in Khorasan. The Astan Quds Razavi also supported this project and expressed readiness to provide foreign currency; however, this decision was not implemented until the end of the war. (Book on the History of Petrochemicals in Iran... 5)
Selection of Initial and Final Location (1988 to 1990)
Initially, a site 35 kilometers from Mashhad was selected, but due to its proximity to the city, this location was not approved. The proposal for Bijaroud was then put forward and accepted. A plot of land covering 204 hectares was chosen for construction at kilometer 17 of the Mashhad-Bijaroud road. (Book on the History of Petrochemicals in Iran... 5)
Official Establishment of the Company (1990)
In July 1990, Khorasan Petrochemical Company (Private Joint Stock) was registered at the Companies and Non-Commercial Institutions Registration Office in Tehran with an initial capital of 100 million rials. (Book on the History of Petrochemicals in Iran... 5)
Investment and Financing Sources
On September 9, 1990, a trilateral memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Petrochemical Company, the Central Bank, and Société Générale of France to finance various projects, including the Khorasan chemical fertilizer project. (Book on the History of Petrochemicals in Iran... 5)
Auxiliary Services of the Complex
Khorasan Petrochemical Company participated in the modernization and development programs of the National Petrochemical Company alongside other petrochemical complexes from 1990 to 1992 and also had dedicated auxiliary services. (Book on the History of Petrochemicals in Iran... 5)
Main Products of Khorasan Petrochemical Company
Khorasan Petrochemical Company is a producer of three key products in the petrochemical industry
- Ammonia
- Urea
- Melamine crystal
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This complex also has a liquid nitrogen production unit, which is used in various industries, especially for industrial and medical applications. (https://khpc.ir 2)
Raw Material Consumption
The main feedstock for this complex is natural gas, with the annual consumption in the two main units of urea and ammonia as follows
The feed for this unit is approximately 348 million cubic meters of natural gas, supplied by the National Gas Company of Iran
(https://www.nipc.ir 4)
Analysis of Products and Equipment Used
Ammonia
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:Applications
Ammonia, as one of the products of this complex, is used in the production of many final products such as urea, nitric acid, hydrazine, polyurethane, synthetic fibers like acrylonitrile, ethylene diamine, dyes, explosives, melamine, and refrigerants in cooling cycles
:Analysis Objectives
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Determination of Purity
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Measurement of Ammonium Ion (NH₄⁺)
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Identification of Metallic and Gaseous Impurities
:Used Equipment
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UV-Vis Spectrophotometer: For measuring ammonia and anions such as nitrate
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Ion Meter for Ammonia: Specific measurement of ammonium ion
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Atomic Absorption Spectrometer: Determination of heavy metal elements
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Gas Chromatograph (GC): Analysis of accompanying gases and volatile impurities
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Karl Fischer Titrator: Accurate measurement of moisture
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FT-IR Spectrometer: Identification of specific functional groups
(Book of Tests and Specialized Laboratory Equipment in the Petrochemical Industry of Iran 3)
Urea
- Applications:
This product is used in the production of chemical fertilizers and urea-formaldehyde resins. Among the known elements in nature, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the most effective for plant growth, and therefore, some compounds containing these elements are used as chemical fertilizers in agriculture
Analysis objectives:
- Determination of Nitrogen Percentage
- Examination of Metallic Impurities
- Measurement of Organic Compounds
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Moisture Measurement
:Used Equipment
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UV-Vis Spectrophotometer: For analyzing nitrogen and anions
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Atomic Absorption: Measurement of heavy metals
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TOC Meter: Examination of organic matter levels
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FT-IR: Analysis of chemical structure and functional groups
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Karl Fischer: Accurate measurement of moisture
(Book of Tests and Specialized Laboratory Equipment in the Petrochemical Industry of Iran 3)
Melamine crystal
- Applications:
This product is used in the production of resins, including melamine-formaldehyde resin for manufacturing various coatings, producing fireproof fabrics (melamine pyrophosphate), as a haze inhibitor and antibacterial agent in detergents (chlorinated melamine), and in the textile industry, surface coating, wood adhesives, waterproof adhesives, laminates and decorative coatings, paper manufacturing, leather production, and rubber
Analysis objectives:
- Examination of purity and crystal structure
- Identification of functional groups
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Analysis of organic and metallic impurities
Devices used:
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FT-IR: Examination of molecular structure
- Atomic Absorption: Determination of metallic elements
- TOC Meter: Analysis of organic impurities
- UV-Vis: Examination of coloring compounds
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Karl Fischer: Accurate measurement of moisture
(Book of Tests and Specialized Laboratory Equipment in the Petrochemical Industry of Iran 3)
Conclusion
Khorasan Petrochemical Company, as one of the largest producers of chemical materials in the country, plays a significant role in meeting the needs of domestic industries and exporting petrochemical products. The production of key products such as ammonia, urea, and melamine crystals at this complex is carried out using natural gas feedstock and strict adherence to quality standards
Using advanced laboratory equipment and modern chemical analysis methods, quality control of products at this complex is carried out with very high precision. Devices such as UV-Vis spectrophotometers, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Gas Chromatography (GC), FT-IR devices, Karl Fischer titrators, and TOC analyzers ensure the accuracy of laboratory data and compliance of products with global standards
The company's special focus on quality control, precise analysis of impurities, and continuous monitoring of production processes demonstrates its commitment to producing high-quality products that are competitive in global markets and compliant with environmental requirements. These features have made Khorasan Petrochemical Company one of the key and reliable players in the country's petrochemical industry
Resources:
- Wikipedia
- khpc.ir
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Book of Tests and Specialized Laboratory Equipment in the Petrochemical Industry of Iran
- www.nipc.ir
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The book "History of Petrochemicals in Iran (1230 to 1357) and Amir Kabir Petrochemicals (1377 to 1398)"
Proposed equipment by Artin Azma Company in the field of petrochemical product analysis
Given the importance of accuracy, speed, and reliability in the analysis and quality control processes of petrochemical products, the selection of suitable laboratory equipment plays a key role in optimizing laboratory performance. Artin Azma Company, as the exclusive representative of reputable international brands in Iran, offers a range of advanced devices tailored to the needs of the petrochemical industry, leveraging technical knowledge and specialized experience in analytical equipment. Below, some of these devices will be introduced.
- GC (Gas Chromatograph):
It is used for the precise analysis of accompanying gases in liquid nitrogen and ammonia and for the identification of volatile compounds
- Atomic Absorption:
.
It has widespread application in determining heavy metals in all chemical products
- TOC Meter:
Instrumentation for measuring soluble organic materials in products such as urea and melamine.
- FT-IR:
Suitable for identifying functional groups and molecular structures
- UV-Vis:
For the analysis of organic compounds and anions such as nitrate and nitrite
- Ion Meter for Ammonia: Specific for ammonium ion analysis (NH₄⁺)
- COD/BOD Analyzers: If needed to investigate environmental contaminants in effluents or byproducts
- Karl Fischer: The most accurate method for measuring moisture in solid and liquid samples
- Flash Point Analyzer: A device for testing the safety of flammable compounds, especially liquid nitrogen
- Moisture Analyzer: Real-time humidity monitoring during production