Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives, especially applicable for Use in Coal Mines,
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1899-Accepted, 13th Jan., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives, especially applicable
for Use in Coal Mines,
I, WILLIAM JAMES ORSMAN, F.I.C., F.C.S., of Chemical Laboratory, Gathurst,
near Wigan, in the County of Lancaster, Analytical and Consulting Chemist,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:→
Gunpowder in its various forms as common blasting powder, either com-
pressed or otherwise, has been largely used for years past, and miners having for
so long been used to this form of explosive, are unwilling to change to
the newer and safer methods of blasting. Since 1897 various forms of gun-
powder have been introduced. which by reason of their being more carefully
incorporated or by reducing the percentage of sulphur or by the addition of
foreign ingredients, claim to greater safety. It is found however that owing
to the presence of the large percentage of saltpetre, about 50% of the products
of combustion on explosion is incandescent solid matter, and these compounds
being fired in a mine produce visible flame and sparks, and the solid products
of combustion being projected into a gassy or dusty atmosphere may easily
cause a disastrous explosion.
This invention relates to the manufacture of a black explosive powder not
containing nitro-glycerine or nitrate of potash, and specially suitable for use
in coal or other fiery mines. The ingredients I employ are nitrate of ammonia
for the oxidising compound, and for the combustible some nitrated hydro-
carbons, together with wood-charcoal, graphite, lamp-black, or other form of
carbon. The above ingredients incorporated in a special manner and within
certain proportions, with or without the aid of heat, produce a mixture black in
colour, which is insensitive to the action of flame or percussion, and can only
be exploded by means of the ordinary detonators of commerce, and the pro-
ducts of explosion shall be smokeless."
Further such a mixture on detonation produces at least twice the effect in
blasting that an equal quantity of ordinary black blasting powder would do.
The smokeless character and the low temperature of the gas produced on explo-
sion, make it especially valuable when blasing in coal mines where explosive
mixtures of coal gas and air, or coal dust and air, or both may be present.
The methods which I propose to adopt for incorporating these ingredients are
as follows:
"
I first thoroughly dry a certain weight of lamp-black and at a temperaturo
of about 100 degrees Centigrade thoroughly incorporate it with an equal weight
of di-nitro-benzole or other highly nitrated hydro-carbon. This constitutes my
organic compound. To produce the explosive mixture which shall be capable of
easy detonation I take a certain weight of this mixture and incorporate
thoroughly, either with the aid of heat, or otherwise, with from eight to twelve
times its weight of thoroughly dry and finely powdered nitrate of ammonia.
Another method which I have adopted is to take about five parts of charcoal,

page_text: about ninety parts of nitrate of ammonia, thoroughly mix together, and at a
temperature exceeding 50 degrees Centigrade thoroughly mix with five parts
of di-nitro-benzole. In thus describing my invention however it must be under-
stood that the above proportions may be varied to suit circumstances, and that
I do not confine myself strictly to these proportions.
5
Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives, especially applicable
for Use in Coal Mines.
I, WILLIAM JAMES ORSMAN, F.I.C., F.C.S., of Chemical Laboratory, Gathurst,
near Wigan, in the County of Lancaster, Analytical and Consulting Chemist,
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:—
Gunpowder in its various forms as common blasting powder, either com-
pressed or otherwise, has been largely used for years past, and miners having for
so long been accustomed to this form of explosive, are unwilling to change to
the newer and safer methods of blasting. Since 1897 various forms of gun-
powder liave been introduced, which by reason of their being more carefully
incorporated or by reducing the percentage of sulphur or by the addition of
foreign ingredients lay claim to greater safety. It is found however that owing
to the presence of the large percentage of saltpetre, about 50% of the products
of combustion on explosion is incandescent solid matter, and consequently these
compounds when fired in a mine not only produce visible flame and sparks, but
the solid products of combustion being projected into a gassy or dusty atmo-
sphere may easily cause a disastrous explosion.
This invention relates to the manufacture of a black explosive powder not
containing nitro-glycerine or nitrate of potash, and especially suitable for use
in coal or other fiery mines. The ingredients I employ are nitrate of ammonia
for the oxidising compound, and for the combustible some nitrated hydro-
carbons, together with wood-charcoal, graphite, lamp-black, or other form of
carbon. The above ingredients, incorporated in a special manner, such as here-
inafter described, and within certain proportions, with or without the aid of
heat, produce a mixture black in colour, which is insensitive to the action of
flame or percussion, and can only be exploded by means of the ordinary detona-
tors of commerce, and the products of explosion shall be smokeless.
Further such a mixture on detonation produces at least twice the effect in
blasting than an equal quantity of ordinary black blasting powder would do.
The smokeless character and the low temperature of the gas produced on explo-
sion make it especially valuable when blasing in coal mines where explosive
mixtures of coal gas and air, or of coal dust and air, or of both may be present.
The methods which I propose to adopt for incorporating these ingredients are
as follows:
I first thoroughly dry a certain weight of lamp-black and at a temperature
of about 100 degrees Centigrade thoroughly incorporate it with an equal weight
of di-nitro-benzole or other highly nitrated hydro-carbon. This constitutes my
organic compound. To produce an explosive mixture which shall be capable of

page_text: easy detonation I take a certain weight of this mixture and incorporate it
thoroughly, either with the aid of heat, or otherwise, with from eight to twelve
times its weight of thoroughly dry and finely powdered nitrate of ammonia.
Another method which I have adopted is to take about five parts of charcoal and
about ninety parts of nitrate of ammonia, thoroughly mix them together, and
at a temperature exceeding 50 degrees Centigrade, thoroughly mix the same
with five parts of di-nitro-benzole. In thus describing my invention however
it must be understood that the above proportions may be varied to suit circum-
stances, and that I do not confine myself strictly to these proportions.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: -
The manufacture of a black or dark coloured explosive powder formed of
nitrate of ammonia, carbon, and a nitrated hydrocarbon incorporated together
substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of December 1899.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents, of Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London.