Adrodd fel Amhriodol
Testun Gwreiddiol (Anodiad: EPW019255 / 2026567)
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Reaction House and H.S Storage.
The Reaction House where the mustard gas was to be manufactured using the Thiodiglycol / Thionyl Chloride method at Chittening was a twin bay building with Belfast Truss roof. The roof of each bay had a centrally mounted louvered ventilation monitor. Light into the building was via six windows located just below the roof line, three on either side of the building, doors were also part glazed. The approximate dimensions of the Reaction House was 15.24m x 15.24m. On the Charging Shed side of the building were brick piers, the original intention was to mount two 24 ton capacity H.S storage tanks on these, in eventuality it's most likely only one tank was mounted? The 7.6cm feed pipe from this tank was supported on wooden A-frames and ran to a subsidiary tank located in a building between the two groups of Charging Sheds and from here to the 200 gallon feed tanks of the individual Charging Sheds. Accounts relating to the method of supply to the charging machines do conflict? A low level feed line to supply the vacuum charging machines was laid and ready to go into operation when the Armistice was declared. This system of supply was considered to be superior to the old and the accident rate would have be greatly reduced.
The Thiodiglycol / Thionyl Chloride method of manufacture was soon considered to be inefficient and unable to meet the envisaged demand for H.S. The Department of Explosives Supply at Avonmouth would take over production of H.S using the Ethylene Sulphur Monochloride process at its Eastside Plant. When the D.E.S got into its stride H.S arrived by rail from Avonmouth in 10 ton tank wagons. Transfer of H.S from the railway tank wagon to the Chittening factory main storage tank was by means of compressed air. '