IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES
Year: 1884

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
"
I WALTER ALFRED BARLOW, of 6 St Paul's Churchyard in the city of London,
Patent Agent and Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
" IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES a communication to me
from abroad by Adrian Gacon of Paris in the Republic of France, to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of explosives,
and in carrying the invention into practice I proceed as follows:-
I take 69 parts (kilogrammes) of powdered Nitrate of Potash and intimately mix
the same with 19 parts (kilogrammes) of flour of sulphur to which is to be added
12 parts (kilogrammes) of powdered ashes those giving a greater percentage of
soda or of potash being the best for the purpose. These ashes are more particularly
to be obtained by burning dead leaves.
After thoroughly mixing these, there is introduced into the mixture one fifth
part (200 grammes) of tannin dissolved in about 14.08 pints (8 litres) of water and
the same is triturated before being allowed to dry. It is well to prepare the
solution of tannin about twenty four hours in advance of the time for use.
The process which I prefer for obtaining the solution of tannin consists in
making a decoction from wood, containing this substance and for this would
select chestnut, mangrove or oak these woods being so rich in tannin and further in
the decoction giving over amylaceous matters and resins which improve the
product.
In this combination of the divers constituents I may replace some of the bodies
by others of the same nature and which have an equivalent composition.
Thus the Nitrate of Potash may be replaced by Nitrate of Soda; the tannin by
Sumac Further one of the elements may be suppressed for example the solution of
tannin if it be desired to obtain a product less forcibly ronding.
Further the proportions given may be slightly varied but that will always be at
the expense of the quality of the product but the combination given I have found
best in practice.
The invention is based upon the employment of the ashes which in presence of
certain bodies gives surprising results and these effects are further augmented by
the solution of tannin both of which are novel applications and produce a new
explosive compound.
Dated this 17th dow of June 1881

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I. WALTER ALFRED BARLOW 6 St Pauls Churchyard in the city of London
Patent Agent and Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES" and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
=
This invention relates to certain improvements in the manufacture of explosives
and in carrying the invention into practice I proceed as follows:-
I take 69 parts (kilogrammes) of powdered Nitrate of Potash and intimately
mix the same with 19 parts (kilogrammes) of flour of sulphur to which is to be
added 12 parts (kilogrammes) of powdered ashes those giving a greater percentage
of soda or of potash being the best for the purpose. These ashes are more
particularly to be obtained by burning dead leaves.
After thoroughly mixing these there is introduced into the mixture one fifth
part (200 grammes) of tannin dissolved in about 14.08 pints (8 litres) of water and
the same is triturated before being allowed to dry. It is well to prepare the
solution of tannin about twenty four hours in advance of the time for use.
The process which I prefer for obtaining the solution of tannin consists in
making a decoction from wood containing this substance and for this would select
chestnut, mangrove, or oak; these woods being so rich in tannin and further in
the decoction giving over amylaceous matters and resins which improve the
product.
In this combination of the divers constituents I may replace some of the bodies
by others of the samo nature and which have an equivalent composition.
Thus the nitrate of Potash may be replaced by Nitrate of soda; the tannin by
Sumac. Further one of the elements may be supressed for example the solution of
tannin if it be desired to obtain a product less forcibly rending. Further the
proportions given may be slightly varied but that will always be at the expense
of the quality of the product but the combination given I have found best in
practico.
The invention is based upon the employment of the ashes which in presence of
certain bodies gives surprising results and these effects are further augmented by
the solution of tannin both of which are novel applications and produce a new
explosive compound.
This new product will be readily distinguishable from other compounds by its
properties, that is to say it is always cold to the touch, it burns at 480 degrees; it
does not explode by shock it has a considerable rending power, is of particular
specific weight and of special color.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I.declare that what
I claim is
The improvements in the manufacture of explosives as herein set forth.