IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Francis Reid of Stowmarket in the County of
Suffolk, Civil Engineer, and David Johnson of Barrel Well House, City and
County of Chester, Gentleman, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Francis Reid and
David Johnson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
8th February 1882.
WALTER FRANCIS REID of Stowmarket in the County of Suffolk Civil
Engineer and DAVID JOHNSON of Barrel Well House, City and County of Chester
Gentleman "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES,"
Heretofore all explosive granulated powders containing nitro-cellulose or other
solid organic nitro-compounds have been comparatively loose in texture and easily
compressible so that the ballistic effect of such powders and the strain produced
by their explosion upon the barrel of the gun varied according to the degree of
compression to which they were subjected in loading the cartridge or gun.
The object of this Invention is to produce a powder of hard and uniform grain,
the use of which is free from the irregularities due to the variations of pressure in
loading cartridges and guns.
In carrying out our Invention we take explosive powders containing nitro-
cellulose or other solid organic nitro-compounds which have been granulated by
ordinary and well known methods. We moisten the granulated powder with
ethylic or methylic ethers or alcohols or any mixture of these whether with each
other or with other liquids. The amount and composition of the liquid required to
saturate the granulated powder vary according to the size of the grains and the
nature of their composition; but from 50 to 80 parts by volume of the liquid will
in most cases be found sufficient to moisten 100 parts by volume of powder
granulated in the usual manner. After the addition of the liquid the powder is
dried, during which process the volatile portions may be recovered and afterwards
used again. The grains which adhere slightly to each other are then separated by
rubbing them through a sieve and are ready for use. If necessary, suitable
substances, which are soluble in the liquids which we employ, may be added to
them for the purpose of waterproofing the powder or modifying its explosive
properties; but we have found that compounds of nitro-cellulose which are
hygroscopic when their texture is loose do not absorb moisture when they have
been hardened in the manner described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Walter Francis Reid and David Johnson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th August 1882.
WALTER FRANCIS REID of Stowmarket in the County of Suffolk, Civil Engineer
and DAVID JOHNSON of Barrelwell House City and County of Chester Gentleman
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF EXPLOSIVES."
Heretofore all explosive granulated powders containing nitro-cellulose or other
solid organic nitro-compounds have been comparatively loose in texture and easily
compressible so that the ballastic effect of such powders and the strain produced
by their explosion upon the barrel of the gun varied according to the degree of
compression to which they were subjected in loading the cartridge or gun.
The object of this Invention is to produce a powder of hard and uniform grain,
the use of which is free from the irregularities due to the variations of pressure in
loading cartridges and guns.
In carrying out our Invention we take explosive powders containing nitro
cellulose or other solid organic nitro-compounds which have been granulated by
ordinary and well known methods. We moisten the granulated powder with
ethic or methylic ethers or alcohols or any mixture of these whether with each
other with other liquids. The amount and proportion of liquid required to
saturate granulated powder vary according to the size of the grains and the
nature of their composition but from 50 to 80 parts by volume of the liquid will in
most cases-be-found sufficient to moisten 100 parts by volume of powder granulated
in the usual manner. After the addition of the-liquid-the-powder is dried, during
which process the volatile portions may he recovered and afterwards used again.
The grains which adhere slightly to each other are then separated by rubbing thein
through a sieve and are ready for use. If necessary, suitable substances which are
soluble in the liquids which we employ, may be added to them for the purpose of
waterproofing the powder, modifying its explosive properties; but we have found
that compounds of nitro-cellulose which are hygroscopic when their texture is
loose do not absorb moisture when they have been hardened in the manner
described.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed we declare that we claim :-
The hardening of the grains of explosive powders containing nitro cellulose or
other solid organic nitro-compounds, substantially as and for the purposes hercin-
before described.
In witness whereof we the said Walter Francis Reid and David Johnson have
hereunto set our hands and seals this Third day of August in the year of
One thousand sight hundred and eighty two.