Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory in Brahmanbaria has low gas pressure and disrupted urea production

Brahmanbaria representative:  After 9 and a half months, the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory of Brahmanbaria has been operational since the night of December 15, but due to non-availability of gas at the prescribed level, it is not possible to produce urea at the desired level. Factories are shutting down even in the middle of production due to low gas pressure. There is a risk of reduced performance of various machines. These issues have been reported to the gas distribution company Bakhrabad authorities, but there is no solution. The factory authorities claim that now is the peak season of fertiliser. Eri-Boro production across the country will increase the demand for fertilizers.

Hence, even if factory production is interrupted, there may be a shortage in the supply of fertilizers to the mandated dealers across the country. Meanwhile, this is happening because the pressure in the gas pipeline is a little low, said the gas distribution authority of Bakharabad. It is known that Ashuganj fertilizer factory was closed for 9 and a half months (01/03/2023 to 14/12/2023) due to overhauling and lack of gas supply. Urea production started in the factory from the night of last December 15, but due to low gas pressure, it is not possible to produce urea at the desired level.

It has been found that the plant requires 48 to 52 mmcf of gas per day at least 40-42 bar pressure (588 to 617 psi) for proper operation of fertilizer production and various units. A minimum of 38 bar makes it possible to operate the factory at minimum load and produce urea. But since December 17, this pressure has dropped below 36 and a half times. As a result, the production is disrupted by the closure of the factory again and again. According to the sources, the picture of the gas pressure in the factory from December 17 to December 24 is the maximum of 40 bar and the minimum of 37.2 bar on December 17, the maximum of 39.6 bar to 37.50 bar on December 18, and 39.9 to 36 bar on December 19. 5 20 times, 20 December 38.40 to 36.80 times, 21 December 40 to 36.50 times, 22 December 44.10 to 41 times, 23 December 39.50 to 36.50 times and 24 December 40 to 36.20 times

According to the factory sources, the gas pressure started to increase slightly after 10 pm. After repeated attempts to start the factory, the gas pressure started to decrease again and the factory had to be closed again. On the one hand, there is a risk of reducing the efficiency of the high rotating machines of the factory due to frequent shutdowns and restarts, on the other hand, the desired level of production is not possible. Factory sources claim that if the factory is running normally, it is possible to produce at least 1000 to 1500 metric tons of urea per day.

As a result, at least 9-10 thousand metric tons of urea was supposed to be produced in the last 9 days, but only 1931 metric tons of urea was produced. Factory sources claim, Eri-Boro season ahead. Fertilizer demand will increase as compared to normal period. Thus, if the production of the factory is disrupted, there will be a disruption in the supply of fertilizers among the dealers under the command of the factory. Although the gas distribution authority has been informed about these issues and asked to increase the gas pressure, there is no solution. However, Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Authority claims that the gas pressure in the pipeline is slightly lower due to lower gas production and imported LNG in the country. It will resolve if the pressure increases in the gas line.

CBA general secretary of the factory. Kabir Hossain said, if the factory is running properly, 1000 to 1150 tons of urea is produced daily. Due to low gas pressure, the desired level of production is not possible. Moreover, due to low pressure, the operating factories have to be shut down from time to time. There is a risk that the performance of the machine will decrease.

He demanded to maintain normal supply of gas to the factory during the peak season of fertilizer. Managing Director (MD) Sunil Chandra Das of the factory said that the production is being disrupted due to low gas pressure and the matter has been informed to the distribution authorities. Bakhrabad Gas Transmission Ltd. Ltd. DGM (Transmission) Engineer. Zahidur Reza said that the supply of gas in the national gas grid or pipe line is a little less, as a result the gas pressure is also low.

 

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