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- May 12, 2013
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History taken from Amlwch History-
In early 1920 an American Engineer called Thomas Midgley discovered that a chemical called Tetraethyl lead (TEL) was an excellent material for preventing “knock†in engines. It was also discovered that a chemical made from bromine called dibromoethane (DBE) was very effective in preventing the build up of lead inside engines. A number of chemical plants were constructed in the United States to make and blend TEL & DBE together into a material which was marketed as “antiknock compound†The effect of this compound when added to petrol was to dramatically increase the power obtainable from engines and hence miles per gallon. In the late 1930s the UK government feared a war and realising how important antiknock compound would be in the production of high quality fuels for military aircraft ,decided that production facilities should be set up in the UK as a matter of urgency. In 1938 a plant to produce TEL was built at Northwich in Cheshire. A DBE plant was built at Hayle in Cornwall. The plants were commissioned in 1940 just before the Battle of Britain. The use of anti knock compound in our aircraft used in the battle allowed our planes to fly faster and climb higher than the enemy’s aircraft. In 1953 a bromine and DBE production site was built at Amlwch. It was important that the seawater from which the bromine is extracted is as clean as possible, could be replenished with fresh seawater quickly and was warmed by the Gulf Stream. Three factors which influenced the decision to built the new plant at Amlwch.
Quite an interesting read and great little place to explore, sadly some of the more interesting buildings have been demolished, still quite a bit to see! Another visit is on the cards as i ran out of time and views from the water tower are a must!
Nice to see the staff had a great camaraderie. Rip Tony.
Theres also this sexy beast nearby
Cant wait to go back!
In early 1920 an American Engineer called Thomas Midgley discovered that a chemical called Tetraethyl lead (TEL) was an excellent material for preventing “knock†in engines. It was also discovered that a chemical made from bromine called dibromoethane (DBE) was very effective in preventing the build up of lead inside engines. A number of chemical plants were constructed in the United States to make and blend TEL & DBE together into a material which was marketed as “antiknock compound†The effect of this compound when added to petrol was to dramatically increase the power obtainable from engines and hence miles per gallon. In the late 1930s the UK government feared a war and realising how important antiknock compound would be in the production of high quality fuels for military aircraft ,decided that production facilities should be set up in the UK as a matter of urgency. In 1938 a plant to produce TEL was built at Northwich in Cheshire. A DBE plant was built at Hayle in Cornwall. The plants were commissioned in 1940 just before the Battle of Britain. The use of anti knock compound in our aircraft used in the battle allowed our planes to fly faster and climb higher than the enemy’s aircraft. In 1953 a bromine and DBE production site was built at Amlwch. It was important that the seawater from which the bromine is extracted is as clean as possible, could be replenished with fresh seawater quickly and was warmed by the Gulf Stream. Three factors which influenced the decision to built the new plant at Amlwch.
Quite an interesting read and great little place to explore, sadly some of the more interesting buildings have been demolished, still quite a bit to see! Another visit is on the cards as i ran out of time and views from the water tower are a must!
Nice to see the staff had a great camaraderie. Rip Tony.
Theres also this sexy beast nearby
Cant wait to go back!
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