Document ganygRbj1amBv4NGwYgMJZBZ3

THE ASSOCIATED ETHYL COMPANY LIMITED THE ADELPHI, LONDON, W.C.2 Cabl'eets: e t h y l p o r t , Lo n d o n Uelegnrnis: ETHYLPORT, RAND,LONDON Uelejl*\-On&: TEMPLE BAR 9831 Hkrectors: J. W. BOYL|E Q. H. M1CHLER (u.s.A) Hi B.H EATH EVES R.W.SELLERS N. A, GASSi A. J .SINGLETON L. N. HAMILTON Cu.S.A) E.E.SOUBRY J. 3. AUG. ^CESSLER(DUTCH-)' ;E.W.WE3B (u.S.A) T. R. A. SEVAN, MANAGING DIRECTOR CONFIDENTIAL Tune 9th, 1939. Memorandum to: Dr. H.A. Kehoe Mr. J.H. Schaefer. OUR REF. HF'lDOB, YOUR REF. The British Air Ministry have approached us with a view to securing our co-operation in the design of an Ethyl mixing plant which can be so protected that it will resist concentrated)air attacks. This is an entirely new departure, since, in the case of plants which have been built primarily for military purposes in England, the blending platforms are merely protected against the blast of a bomb and are thus situated in the open. In the case of the plants which are at present under review, it is absolutely essential that these should be able to withstand a direct hit, and in these circumstances the only solution is for them to be buried. During a discussion, the engineers of the Air Ministry put forward a solution which they, themselves, had worked out which necessitated storing Fluid in a bulk tank, and for this to be actually pumped by means of a pump. The objections to this arrangement were, of course, pointed out, and an alternative on the lines-of our standard bulk plant was suggested, but we stated that we could not recommend this alternative, owing to the fact that difficulties would be experienced in service. It must be appreciated that plants of this nature will be required in remote and strategical points*overseas. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed mutually that considerable advantage would be offered by the continued use of drum mixing, and it was decided to proceed with the project along these lines. ;! I am enclosing herewith two very rough sketches showing my own proposals, which you will note consist essentially of aj standard drum mixing plant totally enclosed in an excavation. A drum bjooth is provided in which a drum can be opened and evacuated, and a separate fan is proposed for this service which must be a suction fan discharging into the open air. I A major point which requires consideration is the ventilation of the en closure, since thq Air Ministry are insistexit on storing under cover sufficient! Ethyl Fluid to treat the total amount of gasoline which will -2- DATE. be bald in storage. This amount will probably not exceed at any time 50 55-gallon drums. As a suggestion, I would just indicate a separate suction fan equipped with a duct surrounding the platform at ground level, - this again to discharge into the open air. Fresh air could either enter through the tunnel, or through elevated stack pipes, this, of course, being governed to some extent by military con siderations, such as the prevention of the ingress of gas. 'Again, on this account, it might be suggested to ventilate the enclosure by drawing air from the outside by means of a fan, and maintaining slightly positive pressure inside the enclosure, allowing the air to leak out into the atmosphere. Such a system, of course, would definitely pre vent the 'iagatessjs' otfj gas. I would greatly appreciate receiving your comments on these suggestions, together with any concrete recommendations,, - particularly as regards the capacity of the fan for the drum booth, and also specific recommend ations for the general ventilation. It should be appreciated that the Air Ministry regard this proposal in a very serious ligfc.t, and are quite emphatic that it is impossible to protect such a buiIding on the surface. In these circumstances, as it is certain that suoh installations will actually be built, it is therefore necessary for us to place the benefit of our experience at their disposal. As the matter is regarded as being urgent, I would greatly appreciate receiving your observations with the minimum of delay. 0015812