The main materials for ammonia synthesis are hydrogen and nitrogen.

Cheng Nuo doesn't worry about nitrogen, the volume fraction in the air reaches 78·09%, air is widely available in nature, and it is the best source of nitrogen.

To use nitrogen in the air for ammonia synthesis, it can be obtained by separating oxygen and nitrogen in the air.

Or the oxygen in the air is consumed by combustion to obtain nitrogen.

Without considering the purity, it is enough for Cheng Nuo to use it, especially if it is only in the preparatory test stage in the early stage, it will be better to deal with it regardless of the cost.

And in the processing of hydrogen, it will take some brains from Cheng Nuo and them.

The vast majority of the process of ammonia synthesis is to produce hydrogen, and the industry generally uses coke, coal, natural gas, light oil, heavy oil and other fuels to react with water vapor at high temperatures.

For the industrial base of this era, it is obviously not realistic to directly use gaseous hydrocarbons (natural gas, etc.) and heavy oil, etc.

Needless to say, the process is obtained, but in terms of obtaining the source, it is enough for Cheng Nuo to lose his hair.

Just like in history, if Japan had discovered a large amount of oil reserves in our country, it would not have sent troops to Southeast Asia, and the pattern of World War II would have been very different.

So after thinking about it again and again, Cheng Nuo is still ready to start from coal and use coal as a raw material to synthesize ammonia.

We all know that Shanxi coal mines are rich in resources and convenient for mining, but Cheng Nuo also knows that when Little Japan comes in the future, these chemical plants will be completed, and the foundation laid will be handed over to others in vain, and it is not an exaggeration to give away the enemy in vain.

Chemical nitrogen fertilizer is the most important and common chemical fertilizer in modern times, and until the early 20th century, Western countries mainly used natural nitrogen fertilizer (Chilean saltpeter).

However, since the First World War, with the advancement of nitrogen utilization technology in the air, Western countries have begun to use the chemical nitrogen fertilizer bisium sulfate in large quantities.

Like Germany at the same time, in the early 20th century, Germany was the world's largest importer of nitrogen fertilizer and the largest consumer of Chilean saltpeter, but by the end of World War I, Germany was not only able to meet its own needs, but also exported large quantities of chemical nitrogen fertilizer.

But the problem was that during the First World War, Germany could not bear the internal contradictions, which led to the defeat of the war, and the great resources were given away in vain.

What's more, Yan Laoxi's control of Shanxi is becoming more and more serious, and at the end of 1917, he established his "six politics and three affairs" policy, and promoted it throughout Shanxi, namely: water conservancy, tree planting, sericulture, smoking ban, Tianzu, hair cutting, cotton planting, afforestation, and animal husbandry.

In order to carry out the "six political affairs and three affairs," Yan set up the "Six Political Investigation Offices," a general organization in charge of the "Six Political Investigation Offices," changed the "Political Research Institute" he originally set up into a "Political Investigation Institute," and appointed "political inspectors" to be stationed in various counties to strengthen investigation and reporting.

Now to "send the factory over", you don't have to wait until the Anti-Japanese War, the middle surname is Yan or the surname Cheng, this is not to say.

Therefore, going around and around, the construction of the synthetic ammonia plant still has to be in Sichuan, the rear.

Introducing Tesla, Fan Xudong, and Jiang Jiangzuo into the conference room, Cheng Nuo pushed the moving blackboard over, and explained while deducing:

"Here, the coal gasification process I recommend is the intermittent gasification method of lump coal fixed layer, and the typical large-scale coal gasification process mainly includes the pressurized gasification process of the fixed layer of crushed coal, the pressurized gasification process of coal-water slurry and the pressurized gasification process of pulverized coal.

The general process can be decomposed into fixed layer gas generator - desulfurization - transformation - decarburization - refining - compression - synthesis - ammonia, which requires the participation of air, steam, coal and other raw materials in the middle, but I hastily calculated that this process has high requirements for coal and high energy consumption.

So you have to choose a region with rich coal resources, and here I recommend Sichuan. ”

As soon as the words fell, as Cheng Nuo's ironcore, Jiang Jiangzuo agreed without hesitation: "I raise my hands in agreement, Sichuan has a long history of coal mining. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, sent people to mine coal in Sichuan. During the Tang and Song dynasties, coal mining in Sichuan was already quite common.

In the Qing Dynasty, the scope of coal mining in Sichuan was further expanded, and now we are no longer like Tianjin alkali production, starting from scratch, and the difficulty is greatly reduced. ”

Fan Xudong was a little hesitant about this: "I have reservations about building a factory in Sichuan. ”

Cheng Nuo raised his eyebrows: "Xudong, tell me your point of view." ”

Fan Xudong cleared his throat and replied: "I have nothing to say in terms of coal resources, but you also have to consider something else, especially the overall industrial base, Sichuan is far inferior to Zhili." Tianjin is located in Haikou, which is a place of trade, with a complete railway network, and the transportation of materials in the Zhili area is quite convenient.

At the same time, when Yuan Xiangcheng was in power, he implemented the 'Beiyang New Deal', established a series of factories in Tianjin and the surrounding hinterland, and vigorously developed the national industry, its core industry is the manufacturing industry, and all kinds of supporting facilities add up, there are not many places in the country that can compare.

Now we have just made an improvement in Tianjin, and the result is that because coal is going to be transferred to the industrial desert, can it be considered that the light is abandoned and the darkness is abandoned, and in terms of industrial costs, coal is cheaper, but when other costs are added together, it is much higher. ”

As soon as these words came out, even Cheng Nuo was a little moved.

If it weren't for his foresight, he wouldn't have been willing to move like this.

But it is only after knowing the subsequent historical process that I have to choose to do this, and the real reason for this cannot be directly told to everyone.

After thinking for a while, Cheng Nuo said slowly: "In terms of transportation, the country of Sichuan is not bad, for example, Chongqing is located at the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Jialing River, and is a water and land hub connecting the eastern coast in the southwest region.

However, the textile industry, mining, machinery, tanning, papermaking and other industries are not bad, and now there are 52 industrial and mining enterprises in the country, which have begun to have the economic function of modern cities.

Although Tianjin's industrial manufacturing capacity is stronger, it is mostly concentrated in light industry, and the most is the flour manufacturing industry, which does not help us to synthesize ammonia at all. ”

As soon as these words came out, Fan Xudong was immediately silent.

Cheng Nuo continued: "In addition, in the process of synthetic ammonia production, each process is directly or indirectly related to water. For example, water is converted into steam in a boiler, and the steam is directly involved in the reaction (gas production, changeover) or as a heat source to heat the reactants.

For example, water is used as a heating medium or cooling medium, or as a solvent for the preparation of coal-water slurry, desulfurization solution, decarburization solution, etc.

Although we have the Haihe River in Tianjin, but in terms of water resources, how to compare with Sichuan, you can think that they lack everything, but only in terms of water resources, at least worse than Tianjin. ”

Tesla on the side suddenly spoke: "I'm not very interested in the synthetic ammonia you said, but when it comes to Sichuan's water resources, I very much agree, especially the local gap is relatively large, and this potential energy can be collected and used for hydroelectric power." ”

Cheng Nuo snapped his fingers and said with a smile: "That's what it means, in the early stage, we can try to produce hydrogen in the form of electrolysis to produce synthetic ammonia, and Berkeland and Ed have already taken the method of discharging nitrogen in the air to fix nitrogen." ”

Seeing that Cheng Nuo had decided to go to Sichuan to synthesize ammonia, Fan Xudong also knew that it was not easy to change, and began to seriously think about the possibility of its electrolysis: "Although the high-temperature method you just mentioned has a high possibility, if we really have a large amount of power resources, the discharge method is also a good idea." ”

Cheng Nuo nodded: "In fact, not only the discharge method, but also the high-temperature method also requires a lot of electricity, such as desalination with electricity, such as electric heating activated carbon requires the participation of electric heaters, etc., and various equipment in the middle also needs the addition of motors. ”

Sending Tesla to Sichuan, in addition to properly accommodating him, also has the meaning of using local resources to generate hydropower.

One of Tesla's few highlights was when Tesla won the alternating current battle and patented the alternating current and ushered in an outstanding project of the century he created - the world's first Niagara hydroelectric power station with an installed capacity of 37,000 kilowatts.

A total of 9 Tesla's patented inventions were used in this project. The huge energy of Niagara Falls is not only successfully converted into electrical energy, but also uses high-voltage electricity to achieve long-distance power supply, which solves the problem of long-distance power supply in the operation of Niagara Hydropower Station.

As a result, large-scale machine production was driven and the era of large-scale application of modern electricity was opened. The power station is still one of the world's most famous hydroelectric power plants.

The AC high-voltage 22 thousand volt three-phase transmission line was used to transmit to the industrial city of Buffalo (Buffalo), 40 kilometers away, becoming the first city in North America to supply electricity over a large scale AC long distance.

It's also a good place to put it here.

Standing up, Cheng Nuo looked at everyone and said solemnly: "Our journey is a sea of stars, in addition to rium sulfate, we may also study sodium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, lime nitrogen, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, calcium nitrate, Ruina saltpeter, urea, urea calcium nitrate, calcium ammonium nitrate and other chemical nitrogen fertilizers.

Bisium sulfate is not our end, just our starting point. ”

……

In this way, after all aspects of Cheng Nuo's explanation, it was finally decided to set up the synthetic ammonia plant in Sichuan, in which the funds for the construction of the factory, in addition to Cheng Nuo's electric fan factory, match factory, and alkali factory to invest part of the profits, to ensure a controlling stake.

A small part of the remaining part goes to the public for fundraising.

As for the remaining part, it is used to dredge the relationship between local warlords, which Fan Xudong is good at.

At present, the southwestern provinces are not at peace, and the provincial Dharma Protector Conference was established in Guangzhou. Cen Chunxuan is the general representative of the council, Wu Tingfang is the general representative of foreign affairs, Tang Shaoyi is the general representative of finance, Tang Jiyao, Cheng Biguang. Lu Rongting is the chief military representative.

Declare to the outside world to jointly conduct common diplomacy and conclude contracts; supervise the common treasury and handle the collection of internal and external public bonds; Coordinate armaments, plan operations, and decide on armistice and events; The resolution of the disputed events with the provinces was like a confrontation with the military junta headed by Mr. Sun in Guangdong.

Of course, Feng Guozhang was not jealous, in the name of the president, he issued an order for the southwest crusade, sent Cao Kun and Zhang Huaizhi to march into Hunan and Hubei, and specially sent Cao as the commander-in-chief of the First Route Army and the envoy of the Propaganda of the Two Lakes, Zhang Huaizhi as the commander-in-chief of the Second Route Army and the Hunan and Jiangxi inspection envoys, and Zhang Jingyao as the commander-in-chief of the former enemy in Yue, and the war was about to break out.

At present, the country is a three-legged situation, but it is a pity that it is suffering for the local people.

Of course, Cheng Nuo's entry into Sichuan this time, in addition to thinking about fishing in troubled waters, also wanted to invest in Tang Jiyao in advance, the founder and leader of the Yunnan Army, the leader of the Yunnan warlords, who was about to take control of Sichuan.

The construction of the factory was arranged here, and Cai Yuanpei suddenly came to the door over there.

After a few polite sentences, Cai Yuanpei went straight to the point: "Peking University initiated the organization of the Jinde Association in order to change the social atmosphere by improving people's morality. ”

Cheng Nuo said with interest: "Look at what the brochure says, are members still divided into standards? ”

Cai Yuanpei said kindly: "Class A members - no prostitution, no gambling, no concubines; Category B members - in addition to the first three percent, plus not as an official, not as a member of the two percent; Category C members - in addition to the first five precepts, add no smoking, no drinking, and no meat. What level would you like to join? ”

Cheng Nuo asked knowingly: "But I heard that Mr. Shouchang also joined in, I don't know what level he is?" ”

Cai Yuanpei smiled: "Shouchang is a member of Class A. ”

Cheng Nuo sighed: "I have my own bright and upright personality,

Own a true and simple life,

When precious, cherished, treasured, precious,

Never throw it lightly,

Sacrifice for the sake of family and friends,

Slave for the glitz and vain.

Mr. Shouchang is really a role model for my generation, and there are still many places to learn from him. ”

Cai Yuanpei smiled and shook his head: "You two are really good friends, the second half of the sentence is exactly the same." ”

Cheng Nuo was puzzled: "I don't know what Mr. Shouchang said?" ”

After Cai Yuanpei closed his eyes and pondered for a while, he suddenly opened his eyes and imitated Li Daji's demeanor and tone: "My generation followed Mr. De's footsteps, and it seems that he has done something, but in fact he is just playing some lip service.

What I admire the most and what I am most worthy of learning is Zhiyuan, which can not only learn from Mr. De, but also lead Mr. Sai's way, how can ordinary people do it? ”

After the imitation, Cai Yuanpei didn't forget to be curious: "Listen to Shouchang, you have been researching chemical fertilizers, how can you suddenly study this direction?" ”

After hearing Li Daji's approval, Cheng Nuo's first thought was not pride, but shame.

Cheng Nuo is just standing on the shoulders of the times to see the world, and it is normal to think and do farther than ordinary people.

And Mr. Li, who pioneered the era and led the change of social thought, is more difficult, and in essence, he also belongs to a kind of Mr. Sai, so there is no need to be so arrogant.

However, these red/color/thoughts are not good to say to Cai Yuanpei, after all, in the final analysis, it is not a road to stand with people like them who stand with mud legs.

Fortunately, he asked about chemical fertilizers later, Cheng Nuo breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and said slowly:

"Imported chemical fertilizers have become one of the main expenses of farmers, and a large number of foreign chemical fertilizers are imported every year, resulting in money spillover, which is a huge loss for the Chinese economy."