IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Cato de Castro of 11 Hind Street, Manchester
Souare in the County of Middlesex. Doctor of Medicine for an Invention of
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Cato de Castro at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st August 1883.
JAMES CATO DE CASTRO of 11 Hind Street Manchester Square in the County
of Middlesex Doctor of Medicine "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS.
The object of the invention is the manufacture of explosive compounds that
shall be practically free from danger not only during the process of such manu-
facture but also during transit and storage also that the pellets or agglomerated
forms of such compound shall not be either hyper sensitive to percussion or ignition
and not be explosive in the true sense of the word unless purposely and strongly
confined; whilst at the same time such compounds shall not be liable to undergo
chemical change from variations of temperature damp or such like causes of
deterioration to ordinary explosive compounds.
For this purpose I mix with wheaten or other bran which has first been deprived
of its flour or starch by washing or cleansing and subsequent drying; or other
suitable description of cellulose ter-sulphide of antimony or natural sulphide of
antimony in the proportion of say about one part of the ter-sulphide to about
seven parts of the bran or other cellulose.
These ingredients are thoroughly incorporated together in a mixing mill or
revolving drum or other convenient mixer
A saturated or nearly saturated solution of Chlorate of Potash is then added and
the whole is well stirred or compounded together so as to form a wet mass, this
mass may then be made into suitable pellets or agglomerated forms of size and shape
best adapted for use and dried in the usual manner.
The quantity of chlorate of Potash I employ is in proportion about equal to the
weight of Bran and ter-sulphide of antimony combined.

page_text: Those pellets or forms of the explosive compound are hollowed or perforated
about half way down the centre or otherwise so as to promote combustion. Other
smaller sized pellets or forms which may be called "Primer Pellets" are formed
with a hole through them and these primer pellets may in use be placed one on
each of the larger pellet, the igniter being applied to the primer pellet and the
flame can pass down the primer pellet into the larger one to effect the combustion
the more readily.
These explosive forms may be fired by means of an ordinary cap, thereby
obviating the necessity for "tamping," a troublesome, uncertain otherwise objec-
tionable and often dangerous operation.
Among the advantages attendant on the use of my improvements are economy
of manufacture and material, avoidance of danger in handling and storage, or
transit, as well as during the manufacturo, greater explosive effect in use, facility
afforded by the use of ordinary caps as igniters, the necessity for tamping being
dispensed with and general simplicity.

page_text: These pellets or forms of the explosive compound are generally hollowed or
perforated about half way down the centre or are otherwise so formed as found best
adapted to promote combustion
These explosive forms of compounds such as described may be fired by means of
an ordinary detonating or explosive cap and fuse and thereby dispensing with the
necessity for "tamping" a troublesome, uncertain and otherwise objectionable
and often dangerous operation.
The pellets or forms of my explosive compounds may when dried be placed in
strong waterproof cartridge cases or covers-these cartridge cases or covers may be
made of a suitable description of paper which after being wrapped around the
cartridge or mass of explosive compound it is advisable to dip into paraffine wax or
other suitable preservative coating-By such treatment the explosive is further

page_text: insured against ill effects of damp being contracted from the atmosphere or
otherwise and its employment for explosive purposes in wet rocks or even under
water is rendered certain whilst such encasing renders the explosive compound,
even less liable to injury during transport and increases the safety during storage
or application preliminary to actual use as an explosive or disruptive agent.
In some cases it may be found useful to manufacture smaller sized pellats or
forms which may be called for distinction "primer pellets" and these havo a hole.
formed through them. These primer pellets may in use be placed one on each of
the larger pellets and the igniter would then be placed on or applied to the primer
pellet so that on ignition the flame can pass down the primer pellet into the larger
one to effect the combustion the more readily and surely.
Among the advantages attendant on the use of explosive compounds according
to my improvements are economy of manufacture and material the avoidance of
danger in handling and storage or transit, as well as during the manufacture,
greater explosive effect in use, facility afforded by the capability of the explosive
compound being ignited by means of ordinary caps and fuses as igniters, the
necessity for tamping being dispensed with and general simplicity attendant on
the manufacture and use
The mode of preparing and operating with the pellets or forms of the composition
separately considered forms no portion of the invention claimed by me
Having thus described the nature of my said invention and the manner of
carrying the same into practical operation I would have it understood that what I
claim is the Improvements in the manufacture of explosive compounds consisting
in the admixture of bran or other suitable form of cellulose, ter-sulphide of antimony
or natural sulphide of antimony with the addition of saturated solution of Chlorate
of Potash, and the agglomeration of the compound into suitable forms for use
substantially as described
In witness whereof I the said James Cato de Castro have hereunto set iny
hand and seal this Eighteenth day of February in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
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