Gelsenberg Benzin a.G., Selsenkirchen-Nordstern
Location
This plant is situated North West of Gelsenkirchen on the North bank of the Emscher canal. It was in the area administered by Military Government Detachment No. 113 with offices at Gelsenkirchen.
Description
The raw materials at this plant are high volatile bituminous coal and a relatively small amount of tar oils. The product is aviation base stock. There is no dehydrogenation or iso-octane plant. The liquid phase operation is carried out at 700 atmospheres pressure using the normal I.G. catalysts. The plant is a large one with 6 coal stalls plus one under construction, 4 saturation stalls and 3 splitting stalls. It was capable of producing about 340,000 tons per year of petrol plus about 100,000 tons per year of propane and butane for motor car fuel or other purposes.
A detailed report on this plant has been prepared by C,Cockram, CIOS Target No 30/4.08. This report is on file at the office of the Ministry of Fuel and Power.
Status.
On September 7th and 8th the writer visited the plant and interrogated the following personel:
Dr. Paul Jacob, Chief Chemist.
Dr. Erich Friehmelt, Works Chemist.
The manager of the plant, Dr. Pross, was absent.
At the time of the inspection repair work was being carried on to a considerable extent. About 2000 workers were employed as compared with 5000 for normal operation and 7000 for the original construction. It was stated that if coke was available for the manufacture of hydrogen 1 or 2 stalls could be started immediately, and in 18 months the plant could be up to full capacity. About 3000 to 4000 workers would be needed to carry out the necessary repairs.
In a typewritten description of the plant submitted by Dr. Jacob it was stated that the rotating ovens used for coking of heavy residues would be the first equipment to start. These would operate on petroleum residuums and would produce gasoline and diesel oil. Later the vapour phase system could be started on tar oils and finally the coal stalls would be repaired and started in the normal way with tar and coal.
All plans for resumption of operations are, however, subject to approval by the Military Government and at the time of the inspection no licence to manufacture petrol had been issued.