...that does not particularly sound like it would scale, but will, during the prototyping phase, plausibly save them some time, if they're ready for the SO2->SO3 step before Keltham otherwise invents a thermometer.
Anyways, welcome to Project Lawful.
They probably don't have everyone they need, now, they're probably also going to need a smith or a glassblower or who knows what else, but they've sure got enough to keep on forging ahead.