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Ardeer, Ici Works, Nobel's Explosives, Nitro-glycerine Hill No. 2
Explosives Factory (19th Century) - (20th Century)
Site Name Ardeer, Ici Works, Nobel's Explosives, Nitro-glycerine Hill No. 2
Classification Explosives Factory (19th Century) - (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Nobel's Explosives Factory
Canmore ID 89472
Site Number NS23NE 1.03
NGR NS 286 398
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/89472
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved.
Canmore Disclaimer.
© Bluesky International Limited 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms
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SC 2532108
General interior view from E of Ammonia Cooling Plant House (right, AJ1, NS 2867 3991) and Glycerine Storage building (left, AJ2, NS 2868 3991)
24/8/1995
© RCAHMS
![Detailed view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing three NG lead tanks, and lead sink on far wall](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC02532116.jpg)
SC 2532116
Detailed view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing three NG lead tanks, and lead sink on far wall
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532151
Exterior view of Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532153
Elevated exterior view of Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532158
Detail of No. 10 Nitroglycerine wet-paste drying bogey
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532161
Detailed view of typical distribution bogeys, used to transfer materials around the site on narrow-gauge railway (and hauled by small diesel locomotive)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532120
Exterior view of AC2 'C' house (NG separation and storage house),from NE surrounded by Chilworth Mound, with lightning conductor (right)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532123
Interior view of covered gangway connecting AC2 (Nitroglycerine separation and storage house, NS 2868 3991) with Nitrocellulose/ Nitroglycerine Mixing House (PZ1, NS 2885 3984) also showing wooden guide rails for NG bogeys
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532129
Exterior view from N of mixing house PZ1, (a Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House (NS 2885 3984)), showing tramway leading into covered loading bay
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
![General view from NE up Nitroglycerine [NG] Hill No.2, with acid storage tanks (AJ3, left, NS 2871 3990) and Glycerine Storage building AJ2 (right, NS 2868 3991). Brick building halfway up slope is Light Sodium Carbonate building (AJ5) used to neutralise NG](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC02532132.jpg)
SC 2532132
General view from NE up Nitroglycerine [NG] Hill No.2, with acid storage tanks (AJ3, left, NS 2871 3990) and Glycerine Storage building AJ2 (right, NS 2868 3991). Brick building halfway up slope is Light Sodium Carbonate building (AJ5) used to neutralise NG
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532138
Detail of Nitroglycerine guttering leading down from No. 1 Nitroglycerine Unit on Hill No. 2 to 'C' House AC2 (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532268
Photographic copy of General and Acids Department, general view from top no. 2 Nitor-glycerine Hill looking SE
c. 1926
© RCAHMS
SC 2532107
General exterior view from E of Ammonia Cooling Plant House (right, AJ1, NS 2867 3991) and Glycerine Storage building (left, AJ2, NS 2868 3991)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/7/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532117
Exterior view from S at upper level of AC2 (NS 2876 3983), showing gangway and lead-lined trough approaching building through gap in reinforced baffle wall (Chilworth Mound)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532118
Elevated general view from SW looking towards 'C' house AC2 (NS 2876 3983), showing a landscape dominated by Chilworth Mounds, lightning conductors, gutters and pipework
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532127
Interior view within building PZ1, (a Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House (NS 2885 3984)), showing mixing vessel used to mix NG and NC with blackboard (right) used to record details of batches of wet mixed pastes
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532128
Exterior view from N of mixing house PZ1, (a Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House (NS 2885 3984)), showing tramway leading into covered loading bay
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532130
Elevated exterior view from SW of mixing house PZ1, (a Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House (NS 2885 3984)), showing covered gangway leading from NG separation and storage house, AC2 (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532141
Detail of AY48 'Interrupter House' (structure through which NG guttering passed where flow of NG could be stopped or interrupted in an emergency) ( (NS 2872 3983), between No. 1 Nitroglycerine Unit on Hill No. 2 to 'C' House AC2 (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532145
View of AV24, a plumbers' workshop situated on path between 'C' House AC2 (NS 2876 3983) and Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532150
Detail in Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978) showing a traditional Nitroglycerine rubber bucket
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532163
Detail of example of Nitroglycerine sample box, with soft-lined compartments for the safe transport of Nitroglycerine samples throughout the site
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532111
General view from NE looking up Nitro-Glycerine Hill No.2
24/8/1995
© RCAHMS
SC 2532112
Interior view in building No. AY37, showing Notroglycerine plant control panel (second panel to right removed)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
![Interior view of building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks with enclosed belfast roof trusses above](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC02532115.jpg)
SC 2532115
Interior view of building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks with enclosed belfast roof trusses above
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532125
View of covered gangway approaching Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House PZ1, NS 2885 3984)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532148
Interior view of Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978) showing 'Wooden Horse', a Nitroglycerine sludge separation tank, with modern nylon (centre) and older type of traditional Nitroglycerine bucket (left) and NG hose visible at left end of tank
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532154
Elevated exterior view of Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532156
Detail of No. 10 Nitroglycerine wet-paste drying bogey, situated outside Nitroglycerine Paste Weigh House PE1 (NS 2918 3960)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532157
Detail of No. 10 Nitroglycerine wet-paste drying bogey
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532160
Detail of No. 10 Nitroglycerine wet-paste drying bogey, situated outside Nitroglycerine Paste Weigh House PE1 (NS 2918 3960) with one door removed to show aluminium drying trays. Also showing network of narrow gauge railway track in the area
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532106
Exterior view of acid storage tanks (AJ3, NS 2871 3990), two converted Lancashire boilers
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/7/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532110
Interior view from E along NE end of building AJ2 (NS 2868 3991), showing domed ends of four storage tanks, first three previously used for Glycerine/ Glycol blend, furthest used for pure glycerine, all converted egg-end boilers. The tanks now contain 'EH2' alcohol and like much of the Nitro Glycerine Hill, are part of the CNI plant used to make diesel performance enhancing additive
24/8/1995
© RCAHMS
SC 2532113
Detail of Nitroglycerine injector assembly (almost complete), inside building No. AA2 (batch) process system in 1977, and the buildings at the top of the Nitroglycerine hill are therefore not on the 1976 survey maps
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
![Oblique interior view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks (NS 2876 3983)](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC02532114.jpg)
SC 2532114
Oblique interior view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532131
Elevated exterior view from SW of mixing house PZ1, (a Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House (NS 2885 3984)), showing covered gangway leading from NG separation and storage house, AC2 (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532137
View from SE of Nitroglycerine Hill No. 2, showing injector house with two Separater Houses beneath. This unit has been converted to manufacture CNI (diesel fuel additive)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532140
Detail of AY48 'Interrupter House' (building through which NG guttering passes, where NG flow can be stopped or interrupted in an emergency) (NS 2872 3983), between No. 1 Nitroglycerine Unit on Hill No. 2 to 'C' House AC2 (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532142
Detail of notice board in 'C' house AC2 (Nitroglycerine separation and storage Hose, NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532147
Interior view of Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978) showing Labyrinth Tank (note that the gutter down centre should not be there)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532152
Exterior view of Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532159
Detail of No. 10 Nitroglycerine wet-paste drying bogey, situated outside Nitroglycerine Paste Weigh House PE1 (NS 2918 3960) with one door removed to show aluminium drying trays
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 1268564
Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) Works, Ardeer. Oblique aerial photograph taken facing east.
Records of Aerofilms Ltd, aerial photographers, Bristol, England
29/6/1947
© HES (Aerofilms Collection)
SC 2532121
Exterior view of E end of AC2 'C' house (NG separation and storage house) showing covered gangway emerging through tunnel in surrounding Chilworth Mound
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532135
General view from SE of unit 2 of Nitroglycerine Hill No. 2, showing injector house with two separate houses beneath, and (left to right), AY39 Distribution House, AD9 Small Labyrinth, AJ25 Hot Water House, AY37 Control Room, and AJ26 Glycerine Store
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532136
View from SE of Nitroglycerine Hill No. 2, showing injector house with two Separater Houses beneath. This unit has been converted to manufacture CNI (diesel fuel additive)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532139
Detail of Nitroglycerine guttering leading down from No. 1 Nitroglycerine Unit on Hill No. 2 to 'C' House AC2 (NS 2876 3983)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532143
Detail of notice board in Mixing House PZ1 (NS 2885 3984)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532144
Detail of floor washing gutters between 'C' House AC2 (NS 2876 3987) and final Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532146
View of atypical stainless steel guttering leading to Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978) and mounted on concrete piers. The gutters were covered by wooden boards (now removed)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532149
Detail in Labyrinth House AD5 (NS 2881 3978) showing a traditional Nitroglycerine bucket, rubber hose and clip for controlling flow of Nitroglycerine down rubber house
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532165
View of recycled red telephone box sutuated outside Nitroglycerine Paste Weigh House PE1 (NS 2918 3960)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532342
Photographic copy of glass negative showing General view from top of no.2 N/G hill looking NE (2568w)
c. 1926
© RCAHMS
![Scanned image showing interior view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks (NS 2876 3983)](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC00371627.jpg)
SC 371627
Scanned image showing interior view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks (NS 2876 3983)
24/8/1995
© RCAHMS
SC 2532119
Exterior view of AC2 'C' house (NG separation and storage house),from NE surrounded by Chilworth Mound, with lightning conductor (right)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532124
Detail of hoist (AY21), which carried Nitroglycerine bogeys up from lower level (Nitroglycerine gangway) to upper level (gangway to Mixing House PZ1, NS 2885 3984)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532126
View from S showing covered loading bay at the E side of building PZ1, a Nitroglycerine/ Nitrocellulose Mixing House (NS 2885 3984), wooden rails for bogeys converting to steel rails outside the loading bay area
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
![General view from NE up Nitroglycerine [NG] Hill No.2, with acid storage tanks (AJ3, left, NS 2871 3990) and Glycerine Storage building AJ2 (right, NS 2868 3991). Brick building halfway up slope is Light Sodium Carbonate building (AJ5) used to neutralise NG](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/l/SC02532133.jpg)
SC 2532133
General view from NE up Nitroglycerine [NG] Hill No.2, with acid storage tanks (AJ3, left, NS 2871 3990) and Glycerine Storage building AJ2 (right, NS 2868 3991). Brick building halfway up slope is Light Sodium Carbonate building (AJ5) used to neutralise NG
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532155
Detail of No. 10 Nitroglycerine wet-paste drying bogey, situated outside Nitroglycerine Paste Weigh House PE1 (NS 2918 3960)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532162
Detail of example of Nitroglycerine sample box, with soft-lined compartments for the safe transport of Nitroglycerine samples throughout the site
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532164
View of recycled red telephone box sutuated outside Nitroglycerine Paste Weigh House PE1 (NS 2918 3960)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532266
Photographic copy of Acids Department showing general view from top of No.2, nitro-glycerine hill looking SW
c. 1926
© RCAHMS
SC 1684567
Ardeer, Nobel's Explosives Factory, oblique aerial view, centred on cartridging plant, with the remains of the nitro-glycerine hills behind
RCAHMS Aerial Photography
4/9/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532109
Interior view from NE inside building AJ1 (NS 2867 3991) showing three Ammonia Compressors. Also in the building is a brine solution make-up tank, used tp produce coolant for the Nitrating Process
24/8/1995
© RCAHMS
SC 2532122
Interior view of covered gangway adjacent to AC2 'C' house (NG separation and storage house, NS 2868 3991)
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532134
General view from SE of unit 2 of Nitroglycerine Hill No. 2, showing injector house with two separate houses beneath, and (left to right), AY39 Distribution House, AD9 Small Labyrinth, AJ25 Hot Water House, AY37 Control Room, and AJ26 Glycerine Store
Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu
24/8/1995
© Crown Copyright: HES
SC 2532267
Photographic copy of general and Acids Department, general View from top no.2 Nitor-glycerine Hill looking W
c. 1926
© RCAHMS
![Detailed view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing three NG lead tanks, and lead sink on far wall](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC02532116.jpg)
![General view from NE up Nitroglycerine [NG] Hill No.2, with acid storage tanks (AJ3, left, NS 2871 3990) and Glycerine Storage building AJ2 (right, NS 2868 3991). Brick building halfway up slope is Light Sodium Carbonate building (AJ5) used to neutralise NG](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC02532132.jpg)
![Interior view of building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks with enclosed belfast roof trusses above](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC02532115.jpg)
![Oblique interior view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks (NS 2876 3983)](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC02532114.jpg)
![Scanned image showing interior view inside building AC2, a Nitroglycerine [NG] separation and storage house, showing NG bogie on scales and three NG lead tanks (NS 2876 3983)](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC00371627.jpg)
![General view from NE up Nitroglycerine [NG] Hill No.2, with acid storage tanks (AJ3, left, NS 2871 3990) and Glycerine Storage building AJ2 (right, NS 2868 3991). Brick building halfway up slope is Light Sodium Carbonate building (AJ5) used to neutralise NG](http://i.rcahms.gov.uk/canmore/s/SC02532133.jpg)
- Council North Ayrshire
- Parish Stevenston
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Cunninghame
- Former County Ayrshire
Publication Account (29 January 2021)
Nitro-glycerine Hill is a production unit producing nitro-glycerine, constructed on a hill (usually artificially created) with the nitrator house at the top, to take advantage of gravity by allowing the Nitro-glycerine (NG) and waste liquids to flow down through a sequence of wash, separator and labyrinth houses, usually via a network of lead-lined gutters and pipes, accumulated Nitro-glycerine being collected in a ‘C’ House. Dependence on gravity was essential as pumping Nitro-glycerine can cause detonation.
Nitro-glycerine or glycerine tri-nitrate was discovered by Ascanio Sobrero in 1846. An organic nitrate - the key to most commercial explosives as it provides oxygen which in combination with a fuel, provides the source of power when sensitised to explosion – and a molecular explosive (as distinct from a mixture of chemicals), which detonate sin the open even when not confined. Nitro-glycerine is a high explosive and a principle component in many types of commercial high explosives, the first of which was Dynamite in vented by Alfred Nobel in 1866. It is too dangerous to use in its natural form but prior to the invention of dynamite it was used for blasting and it was also known as ‘blasting oil’.
JE Dolan and MK Oglethorpe, 1996.
