It was all plausible from a mechanical engineering point of view. I don't remember any chemical engineering comments -- it's been a while since I read the book -- except that the shafts (too small for humans) were, in theory, used to pour chemicals into the main chamber for combining.
Thanks. Do you remember title/author? Now I'm curious enough to read it, if it is still on shelves somewhere.
After reading sci-fi for 50 years, one more book won't hurt at all. :)