Synthetic Lubricating Oil Production in France

Introduction

The manufacture of synthetic lube oils is a subject of vital interest at this time to the U.S.Navy.  Not only are the processes themselves important, but the quality and usefulness of the products obtained are subjects which call for careful study.  It has been known for some time that the Germans have been using synthetic lubricants for all types of service since the outbreak of war.  Some details of their work are now available here in France.  In order to equip the Navy with a background on this subject, two field trips were made to study French plants producing synthetic lubricating oils; the first to the Kuhlmann Co. at Harnes (Lille) and the second to the Standard Kuhlmann Plant at Lestaque (Marseille).  The former is only a pilot plant but operates on a process developed in Germany.  The latter produces 25 tons of products per day and uses a process developed especially by the French which is probably not well known at this time outside of their country.  Both processes are also interesting in that they use as a basic raw material the gas oil made by the Fischer-Tropsch process.  Should a plant using this process be built in the U.S., the off take could be used to make lubricants, if these products ever come into demand.