A Study Of The Oil And Fat Experiment Plant Of The Central Industrial Laboratory (1940-1945)

The Oil and Fat Experiment Plant of the Central Industrial Laboratory was established in August 1940.It belongs to the largest scientific research institution in the country,the Central Industrial Laboratory.The main purpose of the establishment is to improve the technology of the old oil and fat industry,improve product quality,reduce production costs,and achieve the general promotion of the technology.As a state factory directly controlled by the Ministry of Economic Affairs,the factory has two complete management systems of affairs and technology,various perfect regulations and an excellent management team.As for the management of employees,it also strives to institutionalize,standardize and humanize.This complete set of operating mechanisms ensures the efficiency and orderly operation of all parts of the factory.Under the technical guidance of the Oil and Fat Laboratory of the Central Industrial Laboratory,the Oil and Fats Experimental Plant researched and applied the test results of the Oil and Fats Laboratory,and established a set of production and research-integrated oil and fat industry research system,under which a lot of research results have been made on the improvement of the refining industry and the oil industry,improvements of technology and equipment have also been made on indigenous oil press.The continuous improvements of technology have provided power and support for the factory to expand production,and the types and quantities of products produced have also increased year by year.Due to government policies and funding support,social needs,and the guidance of professional talents,the factory has made technical progress in many aspects during the five years of its establishment.In response to the urgent need for liquid fuel during the war,the factory also formulated an expansion plan to produce large quantities of diesel and gasoline in 1942.However,because the raw material tung oil was restricted by the unified purchase and marketing policy,although it failed to achieve the production goals,it made a technical breakthrough.The factory also promoted its research technology to the industry in a timely manner,and established the Hechuan Improvement Promotion Station to promote the factory’s indigenous oil press technology to guide the improvement of the local oil press industry.The research results of the factory are also promoted by publishing papers and single copies in magazines for the reference and use of the industry.The factory also converted the test results into production in a timely manner,and produced a variety of products such as vegetable oils,soap candles,linoleum,inks and paints,liquid fuels,and lubricants.The products are of good quality and low price.Most of them are ordered directly by various agencies and schools in Beibei,a small part to the market,revealing a single sales channel and a relatively concentrated sales market.The Oil and Fat Experiment Plant uses a factory-based approach to advance the test work.The test contents are closely integrated with production.This system of combined production and research can quickly transform scientific research results into realistic productivity during wartime.Under the guidance of senior industry personnel and the high control of government,the factory has continuously carried out technical improvements and promoted these technologies free of charge,undertaking the mission of state-owned factory testing and demonstration.It has promoted the development of China’s oil industry,trained a group of technical personnel in the oil industry,and promoted the supply of oil products during the war.However,the factory also has shortcomings.For example,the lack of funds has led to limited factory development,a single sales channel has led to a low degree of product marketization and poor technology promotion effects.