Year: 1886

page_text: I, HERMANN SCHOENEWEG of Dudweiler in the German Empire do hereby 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:-
Certain explosive compounds for mining purposes have been heretofore prepared
by the admixture of a substance containing nitrogen in excess, as for example
nitrated benzole, or nitrate of ammonia, with a substance containing, and freely
giving off, large quantities of oxygen, as for instance nitric acid or chlorate of
potash.
According to my invention I produce explosive compounds by the admixture of
two substances both of which are rich in nitrogen and poor in oxygen, which
compounds have the advantages over all others by insuring a reliable explosion
produced only by strong concussion, while all solid residues are avoided, and
consequently also the danger of transmission of flame therefrom.
For this purpose I employ for the one such substance, either dinitro-benzole, or
trinitrobenzole, or dinitronaphthaline or trinitronaphthaline, and for the other
substance ammonium nitrate, which substances leave no solid residue on entering
into combustion, and which, being in a solid granular condition, exercise no
chemical reaction upon each other when mixed together, and form a solid granular
compound that is most convenient for use. In addition to these advantages, the
said explosive compounds produce no deleterious or obnoxious gases, and they
cannot be exploded by a red heat or flame, or by moderate concussion, but only
by a strong detonating cap; they are not affected by atmospheric influences, and
they do not ignite firedamp or air charged with coal dust, all of which advantages
render the explosive compounds particularly applicable with great advantage for
use in mines. In preparing the said compound I prefer to use dinitronaphthaline
which is prepared in the known manner by boiling 1 part by weight of pure
naphthaline with 3 parts of nitric acid of 40 per cent, the boiling being continued
until all naphthaline has been precipitated. This substance, after being freed from
surplus acid by washing, is then mixed with Ammonium nitrate in the proportion
of 218 parts by weight of the former to 720 parts by weight of the latter. This
compound (No 1) requires however for its explosion very strong detonating caps.
In order to obviate this inconvenience in certain cases, there may be substituted
for the dinitronaphthaline, two parts of dinitrobenzole, prepared in the known

page_text: manner by the action of concentrated nitric acid upon a benzole of 81° Cent.
boiling point. This substance is mixed with five parts of Ammonium nitrate
(Compound No 2) and to this is added 25 per cent of Compound No 1. The
substances are all incorporated in a dry granular condition.
In order to protect these compounds against moisture and to increase their
durability, I mix there with about 5 per cent of nitrated resin (fir resin or
Colophonium) dissolved in alcohol. The nitrated resin is prepared by boiling
1 part of resin with 3 parts of nitric acid of 40 per cent, and then washing with
hot water.
According to the purpose to which the compound is applied, it may consist either
of one or the other of the above described mixtures alone, or of two or more of
them mixed together.
Thus if an explosive compound of very crushing effect is required, most is taken
of No 1; in that case powerful detonators must be used for firing. Although I
prefer to employ the dinitrobenzole or dinitronaphthaline in preparing the said
compound, yet, as above stated, trinitrobenzole or trinitronaphthaline may also be
used in lieu thereof.
These explosive compounds, which I term "Securite," form a granular powder
of 16 specific gr. and have the following advantages:
1. Their preparation, as also the storing and manipulation thereof, is perfectly
harmless.
2. They cannot be exploded by ordinary concussions or blows nor by a burning
or a glowing body.
3. Their use is perfectly safe in firedamp and air charged with coal dust.
4. They break down the coal in a similar manner to ordinary powder.
5. When exploded in an inclosed space these compounds yield harmless gases,
permitting of immediate operation at the place of explosion.
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
1 claim is
-
1. The production of an explosive compound consisting of the mixture of
dinitrobenzole or trinitrobenzole, or dinitronaphthaline, or trinitronaphthaline
with ammonium nitrate.
2. The method of regulating the action of the explosive compound referred to
in the preceding claim by mixing together two or more of the compounds con-
sisting of Ammonium nitrate with one or other of the nitroderivatives there
ennumerated.
3. The use, in combination with the explosive compounds referred to in the
preceding claims, of nitrated resin for the purpose of protecting them against
moisture and increasing their durability..
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.