A New Manufacture of Explosive.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 10th May, 1892-Accepted, 25th June, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Manufacture of Explosive.
We, WILLIAM HENRY AULSE BROOK KITCHEN of 54 Croppers Hill, Saint
Helens, in the County of Lancaster, Estate Agent, and JOHN GEORGE
AULSEBROOK KITCHEN of the same place late a Chemical Student do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to the manufacture of a new explosive which we call
"Cycene" suitable for blasting and other like operations and which has a much
greater explosive power than gunpowder, is safe to handle, may be ignited with an
ordinary fuse or percussion cap and the smoke or fumes from which when exploded
are not injurious to health.
For this purpose chlorate of potassium, nitrate of potassium, and cane sugar, all
in a finely powdered condition and in suitable proportions, are intimately mixed
together, and to the mixture is added a small quantity of a hydrocarbon as for
example paraffin oil, or a carbonaceous substance such as powdered coal.
When it is desired to mould the explosive into blocks, cubes or pieces of other
shape, a suitable binding substance is added to the above mentioned mixture.
The mixing can be effected in any suitable mixing apparatus. It may be in a
cylinder mounted to slowly rotate upon a horizontal or inclined axis, and
into which the paraffin oil when this used, is squirted. Brushes or agitators
may be arranged within the cylinder to assist in producing an intimate mixture of
the several substances.
Doted this 10th dow of A1001
W. H. A. KITCHEN,
By L. W., per F. B.
J. G. A. KITCHEN,
By L. W., per F. B.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Manufacture of Explosive.
We, WILLIAM HENRY AULSE BROOK KITCHEN of 54 Croppers Hill, St. Helens,
in the County of Lancaster, Estate Agent, and JOHN GEORGE AULSEBROOK
KITCHEN of the same place late a Chemical Student 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 :-
66
This invention has reference to the manufacture of a new explosive which we call
Cycene," suitable for blasting and other like operations, and which has a much
greater explosive power than gunpowder, is safe to handle, may be ignited with an
ordinary fuse or percussion cap, and the smoke or fumes from which when exploded
or burned are not injurious to health.
For this purpose chlorate of potassium, nitrate of potassium, and cane sugar all
in a finely powdered condition and in suitable proportions are intimately mixed
together, and to the mixture is added a small quantity of a hydrocarbon as for
example paraffin oil and a carbonaceous substance such as powdered coal.
The mixing can be effected in any suitable mixing apparatus. It may be done in a
cylinder mounted to rotate slowly upon a horizontal or inclined axis, and into which
the paraffin oil is squirted. Brushes or agitators may be arranged within the
cylinder to assist in producing an intimate mixture of the several substances.
Price 87

page_text: лиц
the most suitable proportions by weight, of the several ingredients
forming our explosive are as follows:-
Chlorate of potassium 3 parts.
Nitrate of potassium 7 parts.
Cane sugar 7 parts.
Hydrocarbon (such as paraffin oil) 1 part.
Carbonaceous substances (such as powdered coal) 1 part.
The chlorate and nitrate of potassium in the before stated proportions are ground
together into a fine powder between crushing rollers or the like machinery and
thoroughly mixed thereby forming a mixture we will call No. 1. The cane sugar
and powdered coal are also ground together to a fine powder and thoroughly mixed
preferably in a slowly revolving cylinder mixing machine, and whilst in motion the
paraffin oil which forms the binding substance is added in spray form so as to
ensure an even distribution thereof. The mixture thus obtained we will call No. 2.
Neither of the mixtures thus obtained is explosive by itself and may be stored
without danger. To produce an explosive we take 10 parts by weight of
mixture No. 1 and 9 parts by weight of mixture No. 2 and intimately mix them
together thereby producing our new explosive.
When the explosive is to be used in the form of cubes, prisms or other shaped
blocks, the explosive in the powdered state is formed into blocks in a suitable press
or machine such for example as is used in the manufacture of prismatic gunpowder,
the pressure applied being sufficient to cause the paraffin oil to bind the particles
together. The paraffin oil to some extent prevents moisture from penetrating into
the block.
The explosive when not confined burns away rather quickly but when confined
and fired with a fuse has about double the explosive force of gunpowder when fired
under like conditions. If the explosive be fired with a percussion cap, the explosive
force is increased on account of its more rapid ignition.
In cach case gas is liberated which is not injurious to health and may be breathed
freely. The explosive can be used in explosive projectiles but will usually be
unsuitable for use in ordnance as a much greater residue is left after explosion than
is the case with gunpowder.
It can also be advantageously used for lifting or blowing slate and similar mining
purposes such as for blasting coal as it does not break the coal into small fragments
but splits it into lumps and there is not the loss of time such as is usually necessary
when gunpowder is employed, to allow the fumes and products of combustion to
clear away before re-commencing work.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The herein described manufacture of an explosive consisting of chlorate of
potassium, nitrate of potassium, cane sugar, a hydrocarbon such as paraffin oil and
à carbonaceous substance such as powdered coal.
2. The manufacture as hereinbefore described of the explosive referred to in the
preceding claim.
Dated this 10th day of Ma-1000
W. H. A. KITCHEN,
By L. W., per F. B.
J. G. A. KITCHEN,
By L. W., per F. B.