Ministry of Supply Factory, Dalbeattie - World War II Cordite Works

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Ministry of Supply Factory, Dalbeattie -
View of Nitration Hills, Unit 2 (Edingham)

Ministry of Supply Factory, Dalbeattie
World War II Cordite Works

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Unit 1 (Southwick) Acid Plant
Acid Premix Tanks and Pump House :

Key Points :-

Mixing Tanks for recycled Nitric Acid and Oleum (Fuming Sulphuric Acid) to make Mixed Acid for Glycerine Nitration.

Pump House to pump the Mixed Acid to the NG Hill storage tanks.

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Glycerine delivered in drums, kept in heated tanks near Goods Yard and pumped to NG Hills.

Soda probably mixed according to need, probably at Charge House. Probably stored dry near Goods Yard.

Vaseline again probably delivered in drums. Melted before addition.

Buildings used in process inferred but confirmation needed.

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Glycerine, Vaseline and Soda Delivery and Storage ...

Glycerine was needed for its conversion into the explosive Nitroglycerine, Soda (Sodium Carbonate) was required to neutralise waste acid from the Nitroglycerine to render it stable enough to use. Vaseline formed a part of the Cordite MD Dough, both assisting with its pressing into 'cords' and lubricating and cooling gun barrels during firing. These three very essential substances are less glamorous than the Acids, Guncotton and Acetone, but as important to the process of making cordite.

Nicholson provides a few details about the Glycerine, less about the Soda and nothing at all about the Vaseline. It is fortunate that Wayne Cocroft's excellent online article of Chilworth .

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