Improvements in and relating to the Method of and Apparatus for Blasting.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 28th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Method of and Apparatus
for Blasting.
I, ABRAHAM WILHELM SCHWARZ of Plagwitz near Leipzig in the Kingdom of
Saxony and the German Empire, Manufacturer, do bereby declare the nature of
this invention, 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 the method of and apparatus for blasting by means of
the explosive combination of either chlorine, iodine, or bromine with nitrogen
derived from a suitable source nitrogen such for instance as ammonia. By the use
of the apparatus employed all danger of premature explosion is averted and the
gases are contained in separate receptacles which are only opened at the moment of
explosion.
The accompanying drawings, reference to which is hereinafter made, illustrate in
what manner this invention may be carried into effect.
Figure 1 illustrates the apparatus in section as arranged to be exploded
electrically.
Figure 2 illustrates a mechanical exploding device.
Figure 3 is a plan of the powder chamber employed in combination with the
electrical device."
In both the arrangements illustrated the chlorine iodine or bromine is contained
in one and the ammonia in the other of two separate receptacles c and e.
The
gases are under pressure and force the internal valves f firmly upon their seats.
In the modification shewn by Figure 1 the apparatus is illustrated in position
for blasting. Connected to or resting against the valves fare rods or pins g the
other ends of which terminate against or in the sides of a powder chamber h.
Suitable wires and an electrical fuse or other device are introduced into the powder
chamber and the explosion may be effected in the usual manner. The effect of the
explosion of the powder is to drive the rods g apart and force inwards the valves f
thus allowing the gases contained within the receptacles cand e to combine and
explode. The whole of the apparatus is preferably contained within an outer case
or cylinder k. The hole may be tamped in any usual way or be closed by means
of the plug l
In the device illustrated by Figure 2 the powder chamber is inoperative or may
be dispensed with altogether, a single rod g connecting the two valves f. Another
rod 6 passes through the plug and terminates upon the upper end of the upper
case c. A hammer or weight pivotted at a is adapted to fall upon the end of the
rod band drive it downwards. The effect of this downward movement is to drive
the valve of the upper case against the rod 9 and at the same time drive the
lower end of the rod against the valve of the chamber e. Both valves are thus
forced behind the springs which prevent their return and the gases combine
explosively.
It is preferred to use chlorine in one of the chambers owing to the greater
expense of either iodine or bromine.
The explosive chloride of nitrogen is produced thus :-
-
NH, +6 Cl 3 HCl + NCI¸
That is to say, one molecule of ammonia and six of chlorine combine to produce
three molecules of hydrochloric acid and one of the explosive chloride of nitrogen.
As is well understood by chemists in similar cases, the chlorine must be employed
slightly in excess of the molecular proportion. It is known that nitrogen does not
combine directly with chlorine to form the explosive chloride of nitrogen. but when

page_text: a suitable source of nitrogen such as ammonia is mixed with chlorine under the
conditions. hereinbefore set forth, the ammonia is decomposed with the formation
of the explosive and hydrochloric acid.
ว
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein before described method of blasting by the explosive combination
of chlorine bromine or iodine with nitrogen derived from a suitable source, sub-
stantially as and by the means hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
2. Apparatus for blasting by the explosive combination of chlorine bromine or
iodine with nitrogen derived from a suitable source, constructed arranged and
operated substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
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