Production. New Tennessee Valley Authority synthetic ammonia plant. Fitting a valve to serve one of the gas compressors in TVA's new synthetic ammonia plant in the Muscle Shoals area. Ammonia is made here by the high-pressure synthesis of nitrogen and hydrogen. The ammonia thus secured is converted at Muscle Shoals to ammonia nitrate for use in making of high explosive shells. In addition to the production of munitions, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is engaged in research in many fields, seeking new sources for strategic materials and better ways to utilize them in the war effort