Nitro-Explosives: A Practical TreatiseSanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)
Science
Nitro-Explosives: A Practical Treatise
Sanford, P. Gerald (Percy Gerald)
Celluloid; Explosives
The ammonite is filled into the metallic cartridges by means of an
archimedian screw working through a brass tube, pushing off the cartridges
as the explosive is fed into them against a slight back pressure; a cover
is screwed on, and they then go to the dipping room, where they are dipped
in hot wax to seal the ends; they are then packed in boxes of 5 lbs. each
and are ready for delivery. The di-nitro-naphthalene is made at the
factory. Mono-nitro-naphthalene is first made as follows:--12 parts of
commercial nitrate of soda are ground to a fine powder, and further ground
with the addition of 15 parts of refined naphthalene until thoroughly
incorporated; it is then placed in an earthenware pan, and 30 parts of
sulphuric acid of 66 deg. B. added, 2 parts at a time, during forty-eight
hours (the rate of adding H_{2}SO_{4} depends on the condition of the
charge, and keeping it in a fluid state), with frequent agitation, day and
night, during the first three or four days, afterwards three or four times
a day. In all fourteen days are occupied in the nitration process. It is
then strained through an earthenware strainer, washed with warm water,
drained, and dried. For the purpose of producing this material in a
granulated condition, which is found more convenient for drying, and
further nitrification, it is placed in a tub, and live steam passed
through, until brought up to the boiling point (the tub should be about
half full), cold water is then run in whilst violently agitating the
contents until the naphthalene solidifies; it can then be easily drained
and dried. For the further treatment to make di-nitro-naphthalene, 18
parts of nitro-naphthalene are placed in an earthenware pan, together with
39 parts of sulphuric acid of 66 deg. B., then 15 parts of nitric acid of 40 deg.
B. are added, in small quantities at a time, stirring the mixture
continually. This adding of nitric acid is controlled by the fuming, which
should be kept down as much as possible. The operation takes ten to twelve
days, when 100 times the above quantities, taken in kilogrammes, are
taken. At the end of the nitration the di-nitro-naphthalene is removed to
earthenware strainers, allowed to drain, washed with hot water and soda
until all acid is removed, washed with water and dried. The di-nitro-
naphthalene gives some trouble in washing, as some acid is held in the
crystals which is liable to make its appearance when crushed. To avoid
this it should be ground and washed with carbonate of soda before drying;
an excess of carbonate of soda should not, however, be used.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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