Billingham Manufacturing Plant
Encyclopedia
The Billingham Manufacturing Plant is a large chemical works based in the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees
. In agricultural terms, it is one of the most important factories in Britain.
).
Ammonium compounds are not only used for fertilisers, but explosives.
Billingham-on-Tees was a small village, prior to the large ICI works. In 1917, its Grange Farm was chosen to be the site of a large chemical works.
On 22 March 1918, the Minister of Munitions approved the site to be developed as a factory that would make ammonium nitrate. It was initially known as the Government Nitrogen Factory - it fixated atmospheric nitrogen.
Brunner Mond took over the works on 22 April 1920, in an agreement with the Minister of Munitions
, Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth
. The site was developed (copied) from knowledge of the ammonia plant at Oppau in Germany, and run as Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Limited. Other plants copied were at Sheffield, Alabama
, La Grande-Paroisse
, and one owned by General Chemical near New York.
, the United Alkali Company
and the British Dyestuffs Corporation
, largely controlled by Alfred Mond, 1st Baron Melchett
and Harry McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan
.
By 1932, the plant employed around 5,000 people.
Aldous Huxley
visited the works and this gave him the inspiration for his famous 1931 book Brave New World
. Later The Alan Parsons Project
would name their 1984 album Ammonia Avenue
after the plant.
From 1929 the Bergius process
(similar to the Haber process) was developed to hydrogenate
carbon (coal) and make synthetic petrol
, with production starting in 1946. This would be needed for aircraft ten years later. The Fischer–Tropsch process was used by the Germans during the war to produce synthetic fuel from coal. The RAF's high-performance aircraft needed 100-octane fuel, which was only obtainable from hydrogenated fuels, such as that made at Billingham. Another synthetic fuel (iso-octane
) plant at Heysham
in Lancashire
was built in 1941, where it was thought safer from German bombers.
, whereby uranium hexafluoride
had been made. Plastics were also made on the site from 1934, which were used in the construction of aircraft cockpit
s. The plant also made explosives, as synthetically originated nitrogen compounds (such as trinitrotoluene) all derive from ammonia, due to the immense energetic difficulty in splitting bonds in the nitrogen molecule.
nuclear reactor was developed on the site from 1971 to 1988. Tracerco
was developed from this operation, and ICI's Physics and Radioisotope Services.
.
.
The A19
runs nearby to the west.
(which closed in 1983).
, a highly energy-thirsty process, by converting it to ammonia via the Haber process
, also known as the Haber–Bosch process. From ammonia, the vast majority of fertilisers are made, leading to protein formation in plants and then animals. Naturally occurring sodium nitrate
or potassium nitrate
are also used in fertilisers.
Stockton-on-Tees (borough)
Stockton-on-Tees is a unitary authority area and borough in the Tees Valley area of north east England, with a population in 2001 of 178,408, rising to 185,880 in 2005 estimates....
. In agricultural terms, it is one of the most important factories in Britain.
Brunner Mond
Ammonia had first been made in Germany in 1913 by BASF at Oppau, near Ludwigshafen (the plant was destroyed in 1921 by the Oppau explosionOppau explosion
The Oppau explosion occurred on September 21, 1921 when a tower silo storing 4,500 tonnes of a mixture of ammonium sulfate and ammonium nitrate fertilizer exploded at a BASF plant in Oppau, now part of Ludwigshafen, Germany, killing 500–600 people and injuring about 2,000 more.The plant began...
).
Ammonium compounds are not only used for fertilisers, but explosives.
Billingham-on-Tees was a small village, prior to the large ICI works. In 1917, its Grange Farm was chosen to be the site of a large chemical works.
On 22 March 1918, the Minister of Munitions approved the site to be developed as a factory that would make ammonium nitrate. It was initially known as the Government Nitrogen Factory - it fixated atmospheric nitrogen.
Brunner Mond took over the works on 22 April 1920, in an agreement with the Minister of Munitions
Minister of Munitions
The Minister of Munitions was a British government position created during the First World War to oversee and co-ordinate the production and distribution of munitions for the war effort...
, Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth
Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth
Andrew Weir, 1st Baron Inverforth PC created and headed the firm of Andrew Weir and Co. shipowners of Glasgow...
. The site was developed (copied) from knowledge of the ammonia plant at Oppau in Germany, and run as Synthetic Ammonia and Nitrates Limited. Other plants copied were at Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield, Alabama
Sheffield is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States, and is included in The Shoals MSA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 9,652. Sheffield is the birthplace of notable attorney, actor, former senator and presidential contender Fred Thompson...
, La Grande-Paroisse
La Grande-Paroisse
La Grande-Paroisse is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-External links:* * *...
, and one owned by General Chemical near New York.
ICI
In December 1926, ICI was formed from ther merger of Brunner Mond, Nobel ExplosivesNobel Enterprises
Nobel Enterprises is a chemicals business based at Ardeer, near to the North Ayrshire town of Stevenston in Scotland. It specialises in nitrogen-based propellants and explosives and nitrocellulose-based products such as varnishes and inks...
, the United Alkali Company
United Alkali Company
United Alkali Company Limited was a British chemical company formed in 1890. Producer of soda ash by the Leblanc process and used in the glass, textile, soap, and paper industries. It became one of the top four British chemical companies merged in 1926 with Brunner Mond, Nobel Explosives and...
and the British Dyestuffs Corporation
British Dyestuffs Corporation
British Dyestuffs Corporation Ltd was a British company formed in 1919 from the merger of British Dyes Ltd with Levinstein Ltd. The British Government was the company's largest shareholder, and had two directors on the board....
, largely controlled by Alfred Mond, 1st Baron Melchett
Alfred Mond, 1st Baron Melchett
Alfred Moritz Mond, 1st Baron Melchett PC, FRS , known as Sir Alfred Mond, Bt, between 1910 and 1928, was a British industrialist, financier and politician...
and Harry McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan
Harry McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan
Harry Duncan McGowan, 1st Baron McGowan KBE , was a prominent British businessman.McGowan was the only son of Harry McGowan and his wife Agnes , and was educated at Hutchesons' Grammar School and Allan Glen's School, Glasgow...
.
By 1932, the plant employed around 5,000 people.
Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley
Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. Best known for his novels including Brave New World and a wide-ranging output of essays, Huxley also edited the magazine Oxford Poetry, and published short stories, poetry, travel...
visited the works and this gave him the inspiration for his famous 1931 book Brave New World
Brave New World
Brave New World is Aldous Huxley's fifth novel, written in 1931 and published in 1932. Set in London of AD 2540 , the novel anticipates developments in reproductive technology and sleep-learning that combine to change society. The future society is an embodiment of the ideals that form the basis of...
. Later The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project was a British progressive rock band, active between 1975 and 1990, consisting of singer Eric Woolfson and keyboardist Alan Parsons surrounded by a varying number of session musicians....
would name their 1984 album Ammonia Avenue
Ammonia Avenue
Ammonia Avenue is one of the most commercially successful albums of The Alan Parsons Project.It was the second of the group's three most accessible albums, beginning with Eye in the Sky and ending with Vulture Culture...
after the plant.
From 1929 the Bergius process
Bergius process
The Bergius Process is a method of production of liquid hydrocarbons for use as synthetic fuel by hydrogenation of high-volatile bituminous coal at high temperature and pressure...
(similar to the Haber process) was developed to hydrogenate
Hydrogenation
Hydrogenation, to treat with hydrogen, also a form of chemical reduction, is a chemical reaction between molecular hydrogen and another compound or element, usually in the presence of a catalyst. The process is commonly employed to reduce or saturate organic compounds. Hydrogenation typically...
carbon (coal) and make synthetic petrol
Synthetic fuel
Synthetic fuel or synfuel is a liquid fuel obtained from coal, natural gas, oil shale, or biomass. It may also refer to fuels derived from other solids such as plastics or rubber waste. It may also refer to gaseous fuels produced in a similar way...
, with production starting in 1946. This would be needed for aircraft ten years later. The Fischer–Tropsch process was used by the Germans during the war to produce synthetic fuel from coal. The RAF's high-performance aircraft needed 100-octane fuel, which was only obtainable from hydrogenated fuels, such as that made at Billingham. Another synthetic fuel (iso-octane
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
2,2,4-Trimethylpentane, also known as isooctane, iso-octane, is an organic compound with the formula 3CCH2CH2. It is one of several isomers of octane . This particular isomer is the standard for 100 point on the octane rating scale...
) plant at Heysham
Heysham
Heysham is a large coastal village near Lancaster in the county of Lancashire, England. Overlooking Morecambe Bay, it is a ferry port with services to the Isle of Man and Ireland. Heysham is the site of two nuclear power stations which are landmarks visible from hills in the surrounding area...
in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
was built in 1941, where it was thought safer from German bombers.
Second World War
In the Second World War, atomic research also took place on the site, under the codename Tube AlloysTube Alloys
Tube Alloys was the code-name for the British nuclear weapon directorate during World War II, when the development of nuclear weapons was kept at such a high level of secrecy that it had to be referred to by code even in the highest circles of government...
, whereby uranium hexafluoride
Uranium hexafluoride
Uranium hexafluoride , referred to as "hex" in the nuclear industry, is a compound used in the uranium enrichment process that produces fuel for nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It forms solid grey crystals at standard temperature and pressure , is highly toxic, reacts violently with water...
had been made. Plastics were also made on the site from 1934, which were used in the construction of aircraft cockpit
Cockpit
A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. Most modern cockpits are enclosed, except on some small aircraft, and cockpits on large airliners are also physically separated from the cabin...
s. The plant also made explosives, as synthetically originated nitrogen compounds (such as trinitrotoluene) all derive from ammonia, due to the immense energetic difficulty in splitting bonds in the nitrogen molecule.
Nuclear reactor
A TRIGATRIGA
TRIGA is a class of small nuclear reactor designed and manufactured by General Atomics. The design team for TRIGA was led by the physicist Freeman Dyson.TRIGA is the acronym of Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics.-Design:...
nuclear reactor was developed on the site from 1971 to 1988. Tracerco
Tracerco
Tracerco is the oil and gas services subsidiary of British chemical company and conglomerate Johnson Matthey.- History :In 1958 ICI established a division to research the use of ionizing radiation within chemical processes...
was developed from this operation, and ICI's Physics and Radioisotope Services.
GrowHow
It is now owned by GrowHow UK, part of the Finnish fertiliser company Kemira GrowHowKemira GrowHow
Kemira GrowHow is a fertilizer producer headquartered in downtown Helsinki, Finland. Its products are sold in over 100 countries but it has market stronghold in Northern Europe. Most of the revenue comes from Western Europe, particularly from the UK and Ireland . Kemira Growhow was a division of...
.
Structure
It is sandwiched between Belasis Avenue (B1275) and the A1046 in the south-east of Billingham, close to the bank of the River TeesRiver Tees
The River Tees is in Northern England. It rises on the eastern slope of Cross Fell in the North Pennines, and flows eastwards for 85 miles to reach the North Sea between Hartlepool and Redcar.-Geography:...
.
The A19
A19 road
The A19 is a major road in England running approximately parallel to and east of the A1 road, although the two roads meet at the northern end of the A19, the two roads originally met at the southern end of the A19 in Doncaster but the old route of the A1 was changed to the A638. From Sunderland...
runs nearby to the west.
Energy
Natural gas is supplied at between 45 to 65 bar. The site uses around 1% of the UK's natural gas. Electricity comes from its own power station and also from the former North Tees Power StationNorth Tees Power Station
North Tees Power Station refers to a series of three coal-fired power stations on the River Tees at Billingham in County Durham. Overall, they operated from 1921 until 1983, and the C station, the last on the site, was demolished in 1987...
(which closed in 1983).
Function
It fixates nitrogenNitrogen fixation
Nitrogen fixation is the natural process, either biological or abiotic, by which nitrogen in the atmosphere is converted into ammonia . This process is essential for life because fixed nitrogen is required to biosynthesize the basic building blocks of life, e.g., nucleotides for DNA and RNA and...
, a highly energy-thirsty process, by converting it to ammonia via the Haber process
Haber process
The Haber process, also called the Haber–Bosch process, is the nitrogen fixation reaction of nitrogen gas and hydrogen gas, over an enriched iron or ruthenium catalyst, which is used to industrially produce ammonia....
, also known as the Haber–Bosch process. From ammonia, the vast majority of fertilisers are made, leading to protein formation in plants and then animals. Naturally occurring sodium nitrate
Sodium nitrate
Sodium nitrate is the chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. This salt, also known as Chile saltpeter or Peru saltpeter to distinguish it from ordinary saltpeter, potassium nitrate, is a white solid which is very soluble in water...
or potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K+ and nitrate ions NO3−.It occurs as a mineral niter and is a natural solid source of nitrogen. Its common names include saltpetre , from medieval Latin sal petræ: "stone salt" or possibly "Salt...
are also used in fertilisers.
See also
- History of fertilizerHistory of fertilizerThe history of fertilizer has largely shaped political, economic, and social circumstances in their traditional uses. Subsequently, there has been a radical reshaping of environmental conditions following the development of chemically synthesized fertilizers....
- ICI at WiltonWilton, Redcar and ClevelandWilton is a small village in the unitary authority of Redcar and Cleveland and the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England.-Geography:It is located between Redcar and Eston at the base of Eston Hills - to the east of Eston Nab. The village is noted for its golf course and castle, Wilton...
- Billingham Synthonia F.C.Billingham Synthonia F.C.Billingham Synthonia F.C. is a football club based in Billingham, England. They were established in 1923, playing first in the Teesside League, and joining the Northern League in 1945. In the 1993–94 season, they reached the Quarter-Finals of the FA Trophy, in a run which included victories over...
- named after the plant's product - synthetic ammonia (synthoniaSynthoniaSynthonia is short for Synthetic Ammonia, a product produced by chemical company I.C.I.. ICI produced this product at one of its many plants in Billingham in the 20th century. Many local facilities took on the name due to sponsorship from this local firm including Billingham Synthonia F.C.,...
)