IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NITRIC OR NITRO-COMPOUNDS CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR EXPLOSIVE PURPOSES AND IN METHODS OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SAME OR SIMILAR COMPOUNDS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake of the firm of Haseltine Lake
and Co. Patent Agents Southampton Buildings London, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF NITRIC OR NITRO-COMPOUNDS
CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR EXPLOSIVE PURPOSES AND IN METHODS OF AND
MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SAME OR SIMILAR COMPOUNDS"
Communicated to him from abroad by Hermann Gruson of Buckau-
Magdeburg and Albert Hellhoff of Berlin, Germany, Artillery Officer
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th June 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
NITRIC OR NITRO-COMPOUNDS CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR EXPLOSIVE PURPOSES AND
IN METHODS OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR UTILIZING THE SAME OR SIMILAR
"
COMPOUNDS [A cominunication to him from abroad by Hermann Gruson of
Buckau-Magdeburg and Albert Hellhoff of Berlin, Germany, Artillery Officer.]
This Invention relates to the manufacture of nitro-compounds through the direct
action of nitric acid upon organic substances in their raw or natural state,
and compounds of such organic substances; it also relates to the utilization of the
said nitro-compounds for explosive purposes and to apparatus therefor The nitro-
compounds obtained by the improved processes are therefore not the products of
the nitrification of chemically pure elements, whose production has hitherto been
recognized as the result to be obtained, in nitrifying processes, but products of the
application of the nitrifying process to the organic substances in their natural state
or to compounds of the same as they are derived from chemical manufactures.
The principal qualities common to the nitro-compounds thus obtained are the
following viz ;-

page_text: The molecular attraction is so slight that, on their being brought into contact or
being mixed with substances which easily part with the oxygen contained in them
at an elevated temperature, an explosion may be brought about by detonation or
by highly heating in a closed vessel.
All the said compounds have a strong aromatic smell similar to that of fruit-
ether, and especially noticeable when the substances are made to burn.
They all possess in a high degree the property of refraction (the solid products
when in solution)
Their specific gravity is very nearly 1.
They all burn with a bright flame in a strong current of air, when not confined,
Most of them are soluble in highly concentrated nitric acid, as well as in alcohol,
and ether; and are insoluble in water.
The further characteristic qualities of color and molecular condition are set forth
on the description hereinafter contained of the improved processes for the manu-
facture of nitro-compounds.
In the manufacture of explosive compounds from coal or charcoal according to
the said Invention, the substance is very finely pulverized and then treated in a
suitable vessel with nitric acid of specific gravity 14 to 18 in the proportion of
say ten parts by weight of coal to one hundred parts by weight of nitric acid.
A gentle beat being applied, part of the coal is dissolved with the formation of red
vapors The nitro-compound is obtained from this solution in the form of a fine,
brown, pulverulent precipitate by thoroughly washing the mixture with water.
The coal remaining in the said vessel undissolved by this process, is then treated
with highly concentrated nitric acid or a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids
and highly heated. The portion of the coal thereby dissolved is poured out and
treated as hereinbefore described. By thoroughly washing the product the nitro-
compound is precipitated in the form of a brown powder. The sediment that
remains is then treated with a mixture of nitrate salt, sulphate or bisulphate salts,
it is then highly heated and the nitro-compound finally washed out.
In this manner the coal is almost entirely converted into the required nitro-
compound and the greater part of the charcoal is also so converted.
These nitro-compounds are soluble in very highly concentrated nitric acid, and
are insoluble in water.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from peat according to the said
Invention, the process differs according to whether the peat is very hard, and
mixed with much vegetable soil or is very loose. Peat which contains much
vegetable soil is subjected to the action of a mixture of one part of nitric acid of
specific 15 graity with two parts by weight of strong sulphuric acid, for several
hours. The colour of the fibrous mass of the peat, under a gentle heat, changes from
a dark brown to a dark red whilst the vegetable soil contained therein forms a
dark brown viscous substance. Both products are washed with water and then
dried. Peat mixed with animal substances is treated in a similar manner.
Peats of very loose structure cannot stand the above described process. The
chemical action is so strong and accompanied by so great a quantity of red vapours
that there is a risk of reaching the temperature at which the nitro-compound
spontaneously explodes.
For loose peats the process is modified in so far that this peat is subjected to
the action of nitric acid of specific gravity 1.35. Then highly concentrated nitric
acid is gradually added until the chemical action sets in strongly. The acid is thus
brought to the specific gravity of 1.45. As soon as the red fumes are evolved in
abundance, the nitrification vessel must be cooled After from thirty to forty
minutes the process is completed. The nitro-compound obtained is a fibrous product
of a crimson colour.
The above described process of manufacture may be employed for the residuum,
from fruits and seeds, of the living plant fibres after the extraction of the essential
oils which they contain. The products yielded by the application of this process,
are not appreciably different, in color and molecular condition, from those obtained

page_text: from the elements, but show on the whole, all the properties hereinbefore referred
to, as recognizable in the nitro-compounds described.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from mineral oils, according to the said
Invention, (the said oils being freed from water, are gradually supplied by means of
any suitable apparatus, which will allow the liquid it contains to escape only drop by
drop) with the necessary quantity of acid say from one hundred to one hundred
and twenty-five per cent by weight of very highly concentrated nitric acid. The
nitric acid is contained in glass jars, which stand in a suitable cooling apparatus and
are subjected to the action of a strong jet of cold water.
As the oil is poured in, the water is brought to full play for the purpose of
cooling and preventing a partial ignition which might occur by reason of the
chemical action being too strong. The mixture assumes an intensely red colour
with but little evolution of red fumes. To get rid of the fumes which will become
denser as the process goes on, a system of movable glass tubes may be made use of.
When the proper amount of oil has been poured in, the cold water cocks are closed,
and by means of other pipes, steam. is admitted and made to play round the
nitrification vessel.
Three layers are then formed one of a bright yellow colour above, another; dark
yellow underneath; and at the bottom, one of a brown red colour. The process
of nitrification goes on more vehemently. The formation of red fumes increases
and the contents of the glass vessels rise in consequence of the formation of
numerous bubbles in the cooling vessels.
After a short time the mass sinks, although the temperature remains, the same
to its former level, and the nitro-compound then falls as a precipitate of a ruby
red colour, and of a viscous consistency. The contents of the vessels are then led to
a washing apparatus by means of a rotating screw, and after washing, are with-
drawn by suitable means. The specific gravity of the nitro-compound thus
obtained is 1.2. It is insoluble in water, but is soluble in very highly concen-
trated nitric acid, when heat is applied.
This process can also be applied to oils which are ordinarily employed for
lubricating purposes.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from the product of the artificial dry
distillation of wood the product of distillation freed from water and tarry matter
is placed in a distilling apparatus which is kept cool. To one hundred parts by
weight of the raw product of the distillation of wood, two hundred parts by weight
of highly concentrated sulphuric acid and one hundred parts of nitric acid are
added. The reaction takes place without the application of heat; the gases that
cannot be condensed are led into the air, and the products in the cooled vessel are
collected. The nitro-compound thus obtained is a fluid of yellowish colour, of
specific gravity 1-18-1-2, (according to the nature of the wood); and is only
partially soluble in water, and easily so in alcohol and ether.
By means of the above described process the raw products which are obtained
from the living wood fibre by cutting the bark, or through distillation of the
plants with steam, can be converted into nitro-compounds. As also the desiccated
products of fermentation and extraction from fruits and seed.
These nitro-compounds are but slightly different in their appearance and properties
from their respective elements. They are all insoluble in water, mostly soluble in
alcohol and ether, as well as in highly concentrated nitric acid, and show all the other
qualities that are found in the other nitro-compounds herein before described.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from pitch according to the said
Invention the pitch obtained from coal wood tar or oil is brought gradually into
contact with twice its weight of nitric acid of specific gravity 14 and the nitri-
fication vessel cooled by a stream of water running round it, or preferably by ice,
The pitch dissolves in the acid, giving the solution a brown colour. This solution is
then acted upon by a large quantity of water, whereupon the nitro-compound is
precipitated in the form of light brown Hakes.
In the same manner are obtained nitro-compounds of resin and asphalt which

page_text: are of a yellow colour, and are insoluble in water, partly soluble in alcohol and ether,
under the action of heat, and easily soluble in highly concentrated nitric acid, with
moderate heat.
Nitro-compounds are also obtained from gum-resins horn and glue which com-
pounds form reddish fluids of a viscous, tough consistency, insoluble in water,
slightly soluble in alcohol, and ether, but easily soluble in highly concentrated
nitric acid.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from paraffin according to the said
Invention I employ highly concentrated nitric acid or a mixture of nitric acid with
highly concentrated sulphuric acid. The paraffin is mixed with the acid in a finely
divided state, and the reaction is hastened by moderate heat and continual stirring
or agitation. After the process has gone on for some time, the paraffin is changed
into a mass of a light yellow colour, and of a viscous consistency. The nitro-paraffin
is insoluble in water, and but slightly soluble in alcohol, ether and highly concen-
trated nitric acid.
The process just described can also be applied to solid raw products which contain
palmitic acid stearic, acid or oleic acid, or their glycerides or ether, also wax and
albumen. The nitro-compounds thus obtained are similar to nitro-paraffin in
outward appearance and in their resistance to solvents; they all show the recognizable
properties of the other nitro-compounds above mentioned.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from tar according to the said Invention
the tar is treated as follows, that is to say, a quantity of nitric acid of specific
gravity 1.35 to 1.45 is placed in a vessel, and the tar is added in a thin continuous
stream, the mixture being subjected to constant stirring. After first sinking the
tar rises and covers the surface of the acid. After the acid has acted upon it a
little longer, the layer of tar sinks slowly to the bottom where it contracts After
an interval of about ten minutes, a bubbling of the mass at the bottom sets in, and
the said mass changes by degrees from a fluid, to a plastic state. The process is
completed when the mass at the bottom rises again and spreads itself regularly
over the surface. The heat given out by the process is slight. The nitro-compound
is washed with a large quantity of water and finally extracted. The nitro-tar is a
porous substance of a black colour which is slightly soluble in alcohol and ether
under the influence of heat, but dissolves slowly in nitric acid under the influence
of heat. In other respects it has all the properties of the other above described
nitro-compounds All the above described nitro-compounds form powerful explosives
when mixed with substances which easily part with the oxygen contained in them
under the influence of heat.
It has been proved by experiment that the nitro-compounds above described can
be employed as components of explosives in the same manner as the nitro-compounds
heretofore known, that is to say, by their mixture with substances which easily part
with the oxygen contained in them, they form powerful explosives.
As regards the proportion of substances containing oxygen to be added a’definite
limit cannot be given, because these compounds are explosive within a wide range
and because it is an advantage in the practice of this Invention, that the power of
the explosive compounds according to their application, may be increased or
diminished according to the addition of the substances containing oxygen.
Therefore the limit where the acquirement of the explosive property begins and
ends, can alone be given, as well as the point, within these proportions, at which the
maximum power of these explosives is reached.
These limits are for nitro-compounds obtained from the products of fermentation
and distillation, between fifty and one hundred and fifty per cent by weight as
regards the addition of highly concentrated nitric acid and approximately double
that amount as regards the addition of substances containing oxgen.
This limit lies in all the other nitro-compounds between one hundred and six
hundred per cent by weight of highly concentrated nitric acid, and double the
amount of substances containing oxygen.

page_text: It is to be remarked that instead of a single nitro compound, mixtures of two or
more may be used as explosive components.
The nature of the new explosives and of their component parts allows of their
use in a peculiar manner, the purpose of which is to obviate any danger of
spontaneous explosions taking place."
In constructing the apparatus or device for utilizing the said compounds I
provide an exploding chamber for containing the explosive compounds closed on
all sides and only provided with two openings for filling purposes, which can be
closed, and the said chamber is separated into two compartments by a partition.
The one compartiment contains the nitro-compounds and the other the substances
containing oxygen.
I prefer to make the envelope or case of resisting material such as iron; the
openings for filling purposes may be placed in any suitable position or only
one opening may be provided, the envelope or case being in two parts screwed
together. One of the apertures serves also as an opening for the fuse. The
partition is so constructed that it can be displaced only by a heavy blow, or
pressure, or by a strong pull. It consists either of brittle material or is constructed
in the shape of an ordinary valve or in the shape of a rotating slide.
In order that the valve should not be opened by blows which may occur during
the manipulation, it is secured in position by a gentle pressure by means of a
pinching pin or a strong friction washer.
Before the compartments are placed in communication, the fully loaded exploding-
chamber is entirely inexplosive, provided that nitro-compounds, which form in
themselves explosives be not used in this combination; and either the nitro-
compound or the substance containing the oxygen may be used in a liquid state.
First when the partition is displaced or broken by pressure or by a blow or a
pull, the automatic formation of the explosive begins, whereby the envelope or case
serves at the same time as a mixing vessel and as an exploding chamber.
The blow, pull or pressure which dislodges or displaces the separating wall, can
be applied in various ways. In land and sea mines which are not movable, this
can be done by means of gunpowder and a special fuse, by impact against a wall; or
by the fall of a weight released by means of an electric current from the land; in
moving torpedoes the blow can be effected when the torpedo is thrown and also
the blow it deals against the object to be destroyed may be made use of.
It is clear that instead of one brittle wall, for greater security two may be used,
or when the use of brittle walls entails technical difficulties, brittle compartments
may be placed in the exploding chamber.
When larger quantitics of these explosives substances, are to be used in order to
obtain a quick mixing, it is necessary to place the nitro-compound and the substance
containing oxygen in several compartments, and to place the same in alternate
layers in the exploding chamber.
The form of the exploding-chamber will vary according to the purpose for which
it is to be used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1882.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
NITRIC OR NITRO COMPOUNDS CHIEFLY DESIGNED FOR EXPLOSIVE PURPOSES, AND
IN METHODS OF, AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR, UTILIZING THE SAME OR SIMILAR
COMPOUNDS A communication to me from abroad by Hermann Gruson, of
Buckau-Magdeburg, and Albert Hellhoff of Berlin, Germany, Artillery Officer
"
This Invention relates to the manufacture of nitric or nitro compounds by the
action of nitric acid upon organic substances, or upon derivatives of organic
substances in their crude state; the said Invention also relates to the employment
of the said compounds for explosive purposes and to apparatus therefor. The
nitro-compounds thus obtained are not the products of the action of nitric acid
upon chemically pure elements, which products have hitherto been recognized as
the results to be obtained by the employment of nitric acid in this manner but
products of the action of nitric acid upon organic substances in their natural state,
or upon substances derived therefrom in chemical manufactures. The principal
qualities common to the nitro-compounds thus obtained are the following, viz:
First, the cohesion is so slight that, on their being brought into contact, or mixed
with substances which, at an elevated temperature, easily part with the oxygen
contained in them, an explosion may be brought about by detonation, or by highly
heating in a closed vessel. Second, all the compounds have a strong aromatic
smell resembling that of the fruit-ether and especially noticeable when the substances
are made to burn. Third, they all possess, in a high degree, the property of
refraction (the solid products when in their solutions). Fourth, their specific
gravity is very nearly one (1). Fifth, they all burn with a bright flame in a strong
current of air. Sixth, most of them are solublein highly concentrated nitric acid,
as well as in alcohol and ether, and are insoluble in water.
The further characteristic qualities of color and molecular condition are herein-
after set forth in the description of the improved methods or processes of
manufacturing nitro-compounds.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from coal, lignite, or charcoal, according
to the said Invention, the substance is very finely pulverized and then treated in a
suitable vessel with nitric acid of specific gravity 14 to 18, in the proportion of,
say ten (10) parts by weight of coal to one hundred (100) parts by weight of
nitric acid. A gentle heat being applied, part of the coal is dissolved with the
formation of red vapors. The nitro-compound is obtained from this solution, in the
form of a fine brown pulverulent precipitate, by thoroughly washing the product
with water. The coal remaining in the said vessel undissolved by this process is
then treated with highly concentrated nitric acid, or a mixture of nitric acid and
sulphuric acid, and is highly heated, and the portion of the said coal thereby
dissolved is poured out and treated as herein before described. By thoroughly
washing the product the nitro-compound is precipitated in the form of a brown
powder. The sediment that remains is then treated with a mixture of nitrates of
alkalies and sulphates or bi-sulphates of alkalies; it is then highly heated and the
nitro-compound finally washed out.
In this manner the coal or the lignite will be almost entirely converted into the

page_text: required nitro-compound, and the greater part of the charcoal (when this substance
is treated) will also be so converted.
These nitro-compounds are soluble in very highly concentrated nitric acid, and
are insoluble in water, they also possess the other properties above stated.
In manufacturing nitro-compounds from peat, the process differs according to
whether the peat is very hard, and mixed with much vegetable soil, or is very
loose. Peat which contains much vegetable soil I subject to the action of a mixture
of one (1) part by weight of nitric acid of specific gravity 1-5, and two (2) parts by
weight of strong sulphuric acid, for several hours The color of the fibrous mass
of the peat, when subjected to a gentle heat, changes from a dark brown to a dark
red, whilst the vegetable soil contained therein forms a dark brown viscous
substance. These two products are washed with water and then dried. Peat
mixed with animal substances I treat in a similar manner.
Peat of very loose structure should not be treated by the above described process,
the chemical action is so strong and accompanied by so great a quantity of red
vapors that there is a risk of reaching the temperature at which the nitro-
compound will become ignited and spontaneously explode.
For loose peats I modify the process as follows, that is to say, the peat is
subjected to the action of nitric acid of specific gravity 1.35, then highly con-
centrated nitric acid is gradually added until the chemical action sets in strongly,
the acid is thus brought to the specific gravity of 1.45. As soon as the red fumes
are evolved in abundance, the vessel in which the process is carried on must be
cooled. After a period of from thirty to forty (30 to 40) minutes the process is
completed. The nitro-compound thus obtained is a fibrous product of a crimson
color.
The above described process of manufacture can be employed for the residues
from fruit and seeds, of the living plant fibres, after the extraction of the essential
oils which they contain. The products obtained by the application of this process
are not appreciably different, in color and molecular condition, from those obtained
from the chemically pure elements, but shew all the properties hereinbefore referred
to as recognizable in the other nitro-compounds herein described.
In manufacturing nitro-compounds from mineral oils, according to the said
Invention, the said oils, having been previously freed from water, are, by means of
any suitable apparatus which will allow the liquid it contains to escape only drop
by drop, gradually added to the requisite quantity of acid, say from one hundred to
one hundred and twenty five (100 to 125) per cent, by weight of very highly con-
centrated nitric acid. The nitric acid is contained in glass jars, which stand in a
suitable cooling apparatus and are subjected to the action of a strong jet of cold
water. As the oil is introduced, the water is brought to full play for the purpose of
cooling the mixture and preventing a partial ignition which might occur by reason of
the chemical action being too strong The mixture assumes a deep red color, with but
little evolution of red fumes. To get rid of the fumes, which will become denser as
the process goes on, I employ a number of adjustable air-holes. When the proper
amount of oil has been poured in, the cold water supply-cocks are closed, and, by
means of other pipes, steam is admitted and caused to circulate around the vessel
in which the process is carried on. Three layers are then formed, one of a bright
yellow color above, another dark yellow below the first, and at the bottom one of a
brown red color. The process goes on more violently, the formation of red fumes
increases and the contents of the glass vessels rise in consequence of the formation
of numerous bubbles in the said vessels.
After a short time the mass sinks (although the temperature remains the same)
to its former level and the nitro-compound then falls as a precipitate of a ruby red
color and of a viscous consistency. The contents of the vessels are then conducted
to a washing apparatus by means of a rotating screw, and after washing they are
withdrawn by any suitable means. The specific gravity of the nitro-compound

page_text: thus obtained is 1.2. It is insoluble in water, but is soluble in very highly
concentrated nitric acid, when heat is applied.
This process can also be applied to oils which are ordinarily employed for lubri-
cating purposes.
In manufacturing nitro-compounds from the product of the distillation of wood,
the said product, freed from water and tarry matter, is placed in a distilling
apparatus which is kept cool. To one hundred (100) parts by weight of the crude
product of the distillation of wood, I add two hundred (200) parts by weight of
highly concentrated sulphuric acid and one hundred (100) parts of nitric acid.
The reaction takes place without the application of heat; the gases that cannot be
condensed are allowed to escape into the atmosphere, and the products in the cooled
vessel are collected. The nitro-compound thus obtained is a fluid of yellowish
color, of specific gravity 1:18 to 1·2 (according to the nature of the wood), and it is
only partially soluble in water, and easily so in alcohol and ether.
By this process the crude products which are obtained from the living wood fibre
by cutting the bark, or through distillation of the plants with steam, can be con-
verted into nitro-compounds, as also the desiccated products of fermentation and
extraction from fruits and seeds.
These nitro-compounds are but slightly different in their appearance and
properties from their respective elements. They are all insoluble in water, mostly
soluble in alcohol and ether, as well as in highly concentrated nitric acid, and shew
all the other qualities that are found in the other nitro-compounds hereinbefore
described.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from pitch, according to the said Invention,
the (coal, wood, tar or oil) pitch is brought gradually into contact with twice its
weight of nitric acid of specific gravity 14, and the vessel in which the process is
carried on is cooled by a stream of water running round, it or preferably by ice.
The pitch dissolves in the acid giving the solution a brown color. This solution
is then acted upon by a large quantity of water whereupon the nitro compound is
precipitated in the form of light brown flakes.
In the same manner I obtain nitro-compounds of resin and asphalte, which are of
a yellow color and are insoluble in water, partly soluble in alcohol and ether under
the action of heat, and easily soluble in highly concentrated nitric acid with
moderate heat.
I also obtain nitro-compounds from gum-resins, horn and glue, which compounds
form reddish fluids of a viscous, tough consistency insoluble in water, slightly
soluble in alcohol and ether, but easily soluble in highly concentrated nitric acid
In manufacturing nitro-compounds from paraffine, I employ highly concentrated
nitric acid, or a mixture of nitric acid with highly concentrated sulphuric acid. The
paraffine is mixed with the acid in a finely divided state and the reaction is
hastened by moderate heat and continual stirring or agitation. After the process
has continued for some time, the paraffine is converted into a mass of a light yellow
color and of a viscous consistency. The nitro-paraffine is insoluble in water and
but slightly soluble in alcohol, ether and highly concentrated nitric acid.
The process just described can also be applied to solid raw products which
contain palmitic acid, stearic acid or oleic acid, or their glycerides or ether, also wax
and albumen. The nitro-compounds thus obtained are similar to nitro-paraffine in
outward appearance and in their resistance to solvents. They all show the
recognizable properties of the other nitro-compounds above described.
In the manufacture of nitro-compounds from tar, I proceed as follows, that is to
say I place in a suitable vessel a quantity of nitric acid of specific gravity 1.35
to 1.45 (say two hundred (200) per cent. by weight of the quantity of tar to be
treated), I then add the tar in a thin continuous stream, the mixture being subjected
to constant stirring. After first sinking, the tar rises and covers the surface of the
acid. After the acid has acted on it a little longer the layer of tar sinks slowly to
the bottom where it contracts After an interval of about ten (10) minutes, a

page_text: bubbling of the mass at the bottom commences and the said mass changes by.
degrees from a fluid to a plastic state. The process is completed when the mass at
the bottom rises again and spreads itself regularly over the surface. The heat
given out by the process is slight. The nitro-compound thus obtained is washed
with a large quantity of water and finally extracted. The nitro-tar is a porous
substance of a black color which is slightly soluble in alcohol and ether under the
influence of heat, but dissolves slowly in nitric acid under the influence of heat. In
other respects it has all the properties found in the above described nitro-compounds.
It has been proved by experiment that the nitro-compounds above described can
be employed as components of explosive materials in the same manner as some of
the nitro-compounds heretofore known, that is to say, by their mixture with
substances which easily part with the oxygen contained in them, they form
powerful explosives.
As regards the proportion to be employed, of substances containing oxygen, a
definite limit cannot be given, because these compounds are explosive within a
wide range, that is to say, the explosive materials or compounds may be formed
although different proportions of the said substances are employed; and also
because it is desirable in the practice of this Invention, that the power of the
explosive compounds (according to their application) may be increased or diminished
by varying the proportion of the substances containing oxygen.
Therefore the limits where the acquirement of the explosive property begins and
ends can alone be given, as well as the point, within these proportions, at which
the maximum power of these explosives is reached.
These limits are, for nitro-compounds obtained from the products of fermentation
and distillation, between fifty (50) per cent. and one hundred and fifty (150) per
cent. by weight as regards the addition of highly concentrated nitric acid, and
approximately double that amount as regards the addition of other substances
containing oxygen.
The limits for all the other nitro-compounds are between one hundred (100) per
cent. and six hundred (600) per cent. by weight of highly concentrated nitric acid,
and double that amount of other substances containing oxygen.
The main advantages of the new explosives are, first, the component parts of the
explosive material may be kept separate until shortly before it is to be used,
whereby all danger of transport and storing in the magazine is obviated. Second,
the power of the explosive may be varied (according to the power that may be
required for the work to be done thereby) by the use of suitable proportions of
substances containing oxygen.
It is to be remarked that, instead of a single nitro-compound, mixtures of two or
more of the above described nitro-compounds may be used as components of
explosive materials.
The nature of the new explosives, and of their component parts, allows of their
use in & peculiar manner, the purpose of which is to obviate any danger of
spontaneous explosion taking place.
The risk when prepared explosives have to be employed (owing to their gradual
decomposition) can never be entirely obviated, and for this reason the new
explosives are preferably employed, with apparatus similar to that hereinafter
described, inasmuch as, up to the moment when the destructive work is to be
performed, the said apparatus contains no ready explosive
In constructing the apparatus or device for utilizing the said compounds I
provide an exploding-chamber (or chamber for containing the components of the
explosive material) closed on all sides, with the exception of an aperture or
apertures for filling purposes which can be afterwards closed, the said chamber is
divided into two compartments by a partition. The one compartment is designed
to contain the nitro-compound and the other compartment the substance containing
oxygen.
Figure 1 shews the general type of the exploding-chamber for the use of the

page_text: new explosives, and a, a, represent the envelope or case of resisting material, such
as iron, b, b, the apertures for filling purposes, which may be placed elsewhere if
desired, or a single aperture may be provided the envelope or case being in two
parts screwed together as at c. c. (Figure 2). One of these apertures serves also as
an opening for the introduction of the fuse d. The compartments A and B
are intended respectively to receive the substances containing oxygen and the
nitro-compounds. The partition e is so constructed that it can be displaced only
by a heavy blow or pressure. It is made of brittle material and is sometimes
provided with a valve or rotating slide of any suitable description (Figure 2).
In order that the said valve shall not be opened by blows which may occur
during the manipulation, it is secured in position by a gentle pressure caused by
means of a set-screw or a suitable washer.
As the thickness of the brittle partition can be chosen at will, the desired amount.
of security can be provided for in its construction...
Before the compartments are placed in communication, the fully loaded apparatus
is entirely inexplosive, provided that nitro-compounds which form in themselves
explosive materials are not employed in the said apparatus; and either the nitro-
compound or the substance containing the oxygen may be used in a liquid state.
When the partition is displaced or broken by pressure or by a blow, the
automatic formation of the explosive material commences, so that the envelope or
case serves at the same time as a mixing vessel and as an exploding-chamber.
The blow or pressure which dislodges or displaces the separating partition can be
applied in various ways. In land and sea mines, which are not movable, this can
be effected by means of gunpowder and a special fuse, by impact against a wall or
by the fall of a weight released by means of an electric current from the land; in
torpedoes the blow can be effected when the torpedo is thrown, or the blow which
it deals against the object to be destroyed may be made use of, if desired.
In any case this construction ensures that the formation of the explosive
compound shall always be effected by the persons employing the apparatus, and by
this means all danger is obviated.
It is clear that, instead of one brittle partition, for greater security two may be
used, or, when the use of brittle partitions involves difficulties in construction,
brittle compartments may be placed in the exploding-chamber.
When larger quantities of these explosive substances are to be used, in order to
obtain a rapid mixture of the components, it is necessary to place the nitro-
compound and the substance containing oxygen in several compartments and to
place the same in alternate layers in the exploding chamber.
The form of the exploding-chamber will vary according to the purpose for which
it is to be used.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
Foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I do not make any claim to the manufacture of nitro-compounds as described
in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated 27th March A.D. 1880, No 1287,
and 7th July A.D. 1880 No 2775 nor do I claim, broadly or irrespectively of the
special construction herein described and shewn in the accompanying Drawing, an
apparatus designed to receive the component parts of an explosive compound in
separate chambers, as such apparatus has been described in the Specification of
former Letters Patent dated 27th March A.D. 1880 No. 1285 and also in the
Specification of the said former Letters Patent No. 1287, but I claim :-
First-The manufacture of nitro-compounds by the action of nitric acid upon
organic substances or derivatives of organic substances in their crude state,
substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Second-The employment of the said nitro-compounds as component parts of
explosive compounds, that is to say, for the production of explosive compounds by
mixture with substances containing oxygen, substantially in the manner, and for
the purpose, set forth.

page_text: Third: The improved apparatus constructed as above described with two or more
compartments for containing the two inexplosive substances, the said compartments
being separated by a a partition or partitions with or without a valve or valves,
which partitions can be broken by a blow or by pressure, substantially as, and
for the purposes, specified.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Fifteenth day of December in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
W ROBT LAKE (L.S.)