A NEW BLASTING COMPOUND
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, of the Firm of Harris
and Mills, of 23, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent
Agent, for an Invention of "A NEW BLASTING COMPOUND." A communication
from abroad by Johann Anders, Engineer, of Pilsen, Bohemia, in the Empire
of Austria
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard
Mills at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th February
1881.
c
BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of the Firm of Harris and Mills, of 23,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "A NEW
BLASTING COMPOUND." A communication from abroad by Johann Anders,
Engineer, of Pilsen, Bohemia, in the Empire of Austria.
This new compound or "diaspon-gelatine" consists of the following ingredients in
about the proportions stated:-
Nitro-glycerine -
Slightly nitrated wood, cellulose or "collodion-wool"
Alcohol
->
92 to 95 parts.
-
5
to 7 parts.
-
0.5 to 2 parts.
It is manufactured in the following manner :--
Nitro-glycerine prepared in the well known manner is freed of all acids. The
wood-cellulose destined for the manufacture of "collodion-wool" is deprived of its
grease, washed, and steamed, and then nitrated with saltpetre or nitric and
sulphuric acids.
The "collodion-wool" with the nitro-glycerine is then treated with a mixture of
ether and alcohol in a water-bath. at a temperature as high as 40 to 45 degrees
Celsius until the ether is perfectly evaporated, whilst of the alcohol there are allowed
0.5 to 20 parts by weight to remain in the mixture.
By this treatment the nitrated wood-cellulose is completely dissolved in the
nitro-glycerine, and as a final result a transparent, elastic, gelatinous mass is
obtained, which may be formed into cartridges of various lengths and thicknesses.
The cartridges are enveloped in paper saturated with paraffine.
The said "diaspon-gelatine" is ignited by the common copper caps or primers of
that kind which is employed with dynamite.

page_text: This new explosive compound or "diaspon-gelatine" consists of the following
ingredients in about the proportions stated.
Nitro-glycerine
Slightly nitrated wood cellulose or "collodion
wool'
Alcohol
"
92 to 95 parts by weight.
5
7
"
17
»
2 "
"
0.5”
It is manufactured in the following manner :-
The nitroglycerine prepared in the well known manner is freed of all acids by
washing. The wood cellulose destined for the manufacture of the "collodion wool"
is deprived of its grease, washed, and steamed or evaporated to dryness and finally
nitrated with saltpetre or nitric and sulphuric acids in the manner generally
known.
The slightly nitrated wood cellulose ("collodion wool ") with the nitroglycerine
is then treated in a water bath at a temperature of 40 to 45 degrees Celsius with a
composition of 10 to 15 parts by weight of a mixture of ether and alcohol (6 parts
by weight of ether and 2 parts of alcohol) in which process the ether is allowed to
evaporate entirely and the alcohol to the degree indicated (0.5 to 2).
By means of this treatment the slightly nitrated wood cellulose (collodion wool)
is completely dissolved in the nitro-glycerine, and as a final result a transparent,
elastic, gelatinous mass is obtained which is not greasy to the touch, and which
may be moulded into cartridges of various lengths and thicknesses desired.
This moulding is most advantageously effected by placing the mass produced in
the manner above described in a cylinder which is contracted towards its lower end
and which terminates in a tube of the calibre desired for the cartridges. It is
caused to pass out of this cylinder by a piston covered with leather, caoutchouc, or
other soft elastic material by means of a screw or by other convenient means, so
that the mass issues in the form of a cylinder of the diameter desired for the
cartridges. The cartridges are enveloped in paper saturated with paraffin.
The diaspon gelatine is insensible in the highest degree against cold, against
blows and concussion, it detonates at a sudden rise of temperature to about 180
Celsius, whilst it burns quietly and without residue when placed in contact with
flaming or heated bodies.
The nitro-glycerine being strongly united by the slightly nitrated wood cellulose
(collodion wool) does not ooze out under the greatest pressure nor under a long
immersion in water.
Also the explosive force of diaspon gelatine is in nowise altered by water.
Diaspon-gelatine is a most efficacious explosive compound. It is recommended by
its great safety which distinguishes it from the explosive compositions in use.
The mode of using it is the same as with other highly explosive compounds. It
is detonated by ordinary fulminating caps such as are used for detonating
dynamite.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and the mode in which
the same is carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim is,―
First. The employment of slightly nitrated wood cellulose (collodion wool) in the
manufacture of an explosive gelatinous compound.

page_text: Second. The employment of a mixture of ether and alcohol serving for the
solution of the slightly nitrated wood cellulose (collodion wool) in the nitro-
glycerine.
Third. Causing a small quantity of alcohol to remain in the composition thereby
rendering it capable of resistance against cold.
Fourth. The manufacture of diaspon-gelatine by means of a mixture of nitro-
glycerine of slightly nitrated wood cellulose (collodion wool) and of alcohol in the
proportions above indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Benjamin Joseph Barnard Mills, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty third day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.