Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 28th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives.
We, CARL OLOF LUNDHOLM, and JOSEPH SAYERS, both of Stevenston, in
the County of Ayr, North Britain, Technical Chemists, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows, that is to say :-
Our said invention has for its object to manufacture, in an improved manner,
explosives of various kinds having properties adapting them for various purposes.
In carrying out our invention we combine one or more of a number of sub-
stances forming what we term group, 1, with one or more of a number of
substances forming what we term group, ; and in some cases we also combine
with substances of groups, 1, and 2, one or more substances of a third group.
Group, 1, comprises nitroglycerine, the various nitro-derivatives of the aromatic
bodies, such as naphthaline, benzol, toluol, xylol, and nitro-derivatives of the
phenols, cresols, and other phenoloids.
Group, 2, comprises nitrated celluloses, such as of cotton, linen, jute, hemp,
woodfibre, and other suitably prepared vegetable fibres or fibrous materials, ground
corozzo nut and the like, also nitro-oxy-celluloses, nitro-hydro-celluloses, the
nitrated celluloses and their derivatives being of either a high or a low degree of
nitration, and either so-called insoluble or soluble, and also nitro-starch, and nitro-
dextrine.
Group, 3, comprises hydrocarbons, camphor, acetins, and other suitable organic
bodies, also nitrates, and other suitable oxidisers, also charcoal, coloring matters,
and solids, or liquids desired to be added for special purposes.
Our system of manufacture comprises several successive processes some of which
are susceptible of modification.
In process, 1, we mix bodies of group, 1, with those of group, 2, in the follow-
ing way.
We keep water or other suitable liquid, which we term the suspending
liquid, agitated in a vessel by blowing steam or air into it or in any other suitable
Way. We add the body or bodies of group, 2, preferably in a finely divided state,
and keep them suspended in the liquid; and during the agitation we gradually add
or inject the body or bodies of group, 1, intended to be combined, continuing the
agitation until complete uniformity of mixture is obtained. We prefer to suspend
bodies of group, 2, first in the suspending liquid, as we find it advantageous, par-
We may,
ticularly when working with nitrated celluloses of a fibrous nature.
however, suspend bodies of group, 1; first, and add those of group, 2; or we may
suspend bodies of the two groups in separate liquids and mix the liquids..
When dealing with bodies of group, 1, which are solid at the ordinary tempera-
ture, such as binitrobenzol, we keep the suspending liquid warm enough to prevent
solidification, and we add such bodies preferably in a fused condition; although they
may be added in powder, or in lumps which will gradually melt in the warm
suspending liquid.
If a solid substance is used the melting point of which is higher than that of
water (the suspending liquid which we generally employ) such as for instance picric
acid, we may make the mixture in a suitable vessel under pressure the temperature
of the suspending liquid being correspondingly raised, and steam being used for
agitation if convenient. We however prefer, when possible and when the required
composition of the final product does not make such a course objectionable, to add
such bodies as bi-ortri-nitro-cresol, bi-nitro-benzol, and the like, to the picric acid
or other substance of high melting point, so as to form a mixture having a melting

page_text: point low enough for accomplishing the mixture with bodies of group, 2, with our
suspending liquid under normal conditions.
If a substance is to be used, such as the nitro-phenols, which is soluble in the
suspending liquid, we saturate the liquid with the substance at the temperature at
which it is intended to mix, in order to make sure that the final product will
contain exactly the intended percentage of the substance.
If desired any body or bodies of group, 3, may be mixed along with the other
bodies in the suspending liquid.
Process, 1, a. In the case of some bodies of groups, 1, and 2, the intermixture
may be effected in a breaking or beating engine such as is used by paper makers;
we do not however consider it desirable to use such apparatus when nitroglycerine
is one of the bodies to be mixed.
'Process, 1, b. We may mix bodies of groups, 1, and 2, in a damp or moist state,
instead of being suspended in a large amount of water. This modification is quite
suitable for liquid bodies of group, 1, but presents various inconveniences when
the bodies are solid, or when the bodies are soluble in the moistening liquid; and
we do not consider that this modification can compare in general applicability,
convenience, and effectiveness with the modification first hereinbefore described.
In process, 2, the suspending liquid is removed, part being separated by draining,
and a further quantity by means of presses, or hydroextractors. We generally
proceed as follows :
The suspending liquid is allowed to drain off through suitable sieves or strainers,.
and the pulp thereby obtained is put into filter cloths and pressed to remove the
bulk of the remaining liquid. We have found that if the moist paste is left for a
day or two before being pressed, it resists a greater pressure and can consequently
be freed in the press from more of the suspending liquid, without separating any
liquid constituent belonging to group, 1. In some cases process, 2, may be dispensed
with.
In process, 3, the material obtained from the press or hydro-extractor is worked
between rollers, by which treatment, firstly, the largest part of the suspending
liquid still present is pressed out, and, secondly, what remains is evaporated by the
heat of the rollers. With the object of quickening the operation, we prefer to heat.
the rollers sufficiently for evaporating the suspending liquid, taking care, however,
not to impair the stability of the product; but the application of extraneous heat
is not absolutely necessary, as we find that the working of the material by the
rollers has the effect of producing sufficient heat for the evaporation.
In this process we do not, in general, continue the action of heated rollers so as
to produce complete gelatinisation of the compound substance. Our main object is,
to remove the suspending liquid, either completely, or under certain circumstances
so as to leave a small percentage to be removed subsequently. For ordinary
smokeless powder such as the explosives known as Ballistite and Cordite, we prefer
to remove the suspending liquid as completely as practicable. This cannot be
effected without some gelatinisation taking place. When so-called insoluble nitro-
cellulose is used with nitroglycerine, the gelatinisation produced during the drying
operation is comparatively incomplete, whilst with some of the more soluble nitro-
celluloses it is practically complete. The process is, however, not intended for
gelatinisation but simply for drying.
In process, 4, the scales or sheets as formed in process, 3, are transferred to a
kneading machine, pugmill, or other suitable incorporating machine, and the
substance is worked sufficiently for the final gelatinisation with a quantity of
acetone, acetic ether, or other solvent, such as will give a proper consistency for
the purpose in view.
Instead of adding bodies of group, 3, during the preliminary mixing, they may be
added in process, 4, or part may be added in process, 1, and part in process, 4, as
may be found most satisfactory..
In
process, 5, the incorporated and gelatinised explosive is formed by rolling or
pressing, into sheets, to be used as such or for cutting into strips or grains; or it

page_text: may be pressed or squirted into strings, rods, or tubes, of any desired shape or
may be
section, for use in lengths or cut into short pieces or grains; or again it
pressed or moulded into larger-grained "powder" of hexagonal or square form for
heavy guns, etc.
t
In process, 6, the explosive having been brought to the desired forms has the
volatile solvent and any suspending liquid purposely left in it, removed by evapora-
tion or in any suitable known way.
The improved combination of processes hereinbefore described comprises some
methods or operations which are described or referred to in one or more of the
following Patent Specifications namely, Newton (Nobel) 1471 of 1888, and 9361,
of 1889, and Lundholm and Sayers, 10376, 12338, and 13486, of 1889. Our present
combination of processes has, however, the following distinct advantages as com-
pared with previous methods.
We dispense entirely with the drying of bodies of group, 2, which is of great
importance as the operation of drying such bodies is the most dangerous operation
in the manufacture of smokeless powders.
We save time in the manufacture by avoiding the tedious process of drying
bodies of group, 2, which cannot be done safely at a temperature above 50° C.
We do not expose bodies of group, 2, to heat during incorporation for more than
part of an hour, at about 50° C., and then they are wet until the last minute. This
is an advantage as regards stability over the ordinary drying in which they are
exposed to a temperature of from 40° C. to 50° C. for many hours.
We save solvents by having the explosive in a partly or wholly gelatinised
condition before adding the solvent, instead of having to saturate with solvent
bulky ungelatinised bodies." The time required to incorporate the solvent and
complete the gelatinisation is also reduced because of the explosive being already
more or less gelatinised and the bodies of groups, 1, and 2, being perfectly mixed
before the solvent is added.
By applying the solvent at the stage and in the manner herein before described
any compound however hard otherwise or whatever may be the relative proportions
in it of the bodies of groups, 1, and 2, is made capable of being shaped into sheets,
strings, rods, tubes, or other forms, with great facility and without the application
of heat.
Dated this Second day of April 1892.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Explosives.
We, CARL OLOF LUNDHOLM, and JOSEPH SAYERS, both of Stevenston, in
the County of Ayr, North Britain, Technical Chemists, 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,
that is to say :-
:-
Our said invention has for its object to manufacture, in an improved manner
explosives of various kinds having properties adapting them for various purposes.
In carrying out our invention we combine one or more of a number of substances
forming what we term group, 1, with one or more of a number of substances forming
what we term group, 2, and in some cases we also combine with substances of groups, !,
and, 2, one or more substances of a third group.
Group, 1, comprises nitroglycerine, the various nitro-derivatives of the aromatic
bodies, such as naphthaline, benzol, toluol, xylol, and nitro-derivatives of the
phenols, cresols, and other phenoloids.
Group, 2, comprises nitrated celluloses, such as of cotton, linen, jute, hemp,
woodfibre, and other suitably prepared vegetable fibres or fibrous material,

page_text: I
ground corozzo nut and the like, also nitro-oxy-celluloses, nitro-hydro-celluloses,
the nitrated celluloses and their derivatives being of either a high or a low degree
of nitration, and either so-called insoluble or soluble, and also nitro-starch, and
nitro-dextrine.
Group, 3, comprises hydrocarbons, camphor, acetins, and other suitable organic
bodies, also nitrates, and other suitable oxidisers, also charcoal, coloring matters,
and solids, or liquids desired to be added for special purposes.
Our system of manufacture comprises several successive processes some of which
are susceptible of modification.
In process, 1, we mix bodies of group, 1, with those of group, 2, in the following
way. We keep water or other suitable liquid, which we term the suspending
liquid, agitated in a vessel by blowing steam or air into it or in any other suitable
way. We add the body or bodies of group, 2, preferably in a tinely divided state,
and keep them suspended in the liquid; and during the agitation we gradually add
or inject the body or bodies of group, 1, intended to be combined, continuing the
agitation until complete uniformity of mixture is obtained. We prefer to suspend
bodies of group, 2, first in the suspending liquid, as we find it advantageous,
particularly when working with nitrated celluloses of a fibrous nature.
We may,
however, suspend bodies of group, 1, first, and add those of group, 2, or we may
suspend bodies of the two groups in separate liquids and mix the liquids.
When dealing with bodies of group, 1, which are solid at the ordinary tempera-
ture, such as binitrobenzol, we keep the suspending liquid warm enough to prevent
solidification, and we add such bodies preferably in a fused condition; although
they may be added in powder, or in lumps which will gradually melt in the warm
suspending liquid.
:
If a solid substance is used the melting point of which is higher than that of
boiling water (the suspending liquid which we generally employ) such as for
instance picric acid, we may make the mixture in a suitable vessel under pressure
the temperature of the suspending liquid being correspondingly raised, and steam
being used for agitation if convenient. We however prefer, when possible and
when the required composition of the final product does not make such a course
objectionable, to add such bodies as bi- or tri-nitro-cresol, bi-nitro-benzol, and
the like, to the picric acid or other substance of high melting point, so as to form a
mixture having a melting point low enough for accomplishing the mixture with
bodies of group, 2, with our suspending liquid under normal conditions.
If a substance is to be used, such as the nitro-phenols, which is soluble in the
suspending liquid, we saturate the liquid with the substance at the temperature at
which it is intended to mix, in order to make sure that the final product will contain
exactly the intended percentage of the substance.
If desired any suitable body or bodies of group, 3, may be mixed along with the
other bodies in the suspending liquid.
Process, 1, a. In the case of some bodies of groups, 1, and, 2, the intermixture
may be effected in a breaking or beating engine such as is used by paper makers;
we do not however consider it desirable to use such apparatus when nitro-glycerine is
one of the bodies to be mixed.
Process, 1, b. We may mix bodies of groups, 1, and, 2, in a damp or moist state,
instead of being suspended in a large amount of water. This modification is quite
suitable for liquid bodies of group, 1, but presents various inconveniences when
the bodies are solid, or when the bodies are soluble in the moistening liquid;
and we do not consider that this modification can compare in general applicability,
convenience, and effectiveness with the modification first herein before described.
In process, 2, the suspending liquid is removed, part being separated by draining,
and a further quantity by means of presses, or hydroextractors. We generally
proceed as follows:
The suspending liquid is allowed to drain off through suitable sieves or strainers,
and the pulp thereby obtained is put into filter cloths and pressed to remove the
'

page_text: bulk of the remaining liquid. We have found in some cases that if the moist paste
is left for a day or two before being pressed, it resists a greater pressure and can
consequently be freed in the press from more of the suspending liquid, without
In some cases process, 2,
separating any liquid constituent belonging to group, 1.
may be dispensed with.
With
In process, 3, the material obtained from the press or hydroextractor, or it may
be after separating liquid by draining only is worked between rollers, by which
treatment, firstly, the largest part of the suspending liquid still present is pressed.
out, and, secondly, what remains is evaporated by the heat of the rollers.
the object of quickening the operation, we prefer to heat the rollers sufficiently for
evaporating the suspending liquid, taking care, however, not to impair the stability
of the product; but the application of extraneous heat is not absolutely necessary,
as we find that the working of the material by the rollers has the effect of producing
sufficient heat for the evaporation.
In this process we do not, in general, continue the action of heated rollers so as
to produce complete gelatinisation of the compound substance. Our main object is,.
to remove the suspending liquid, either completely, or under certain circumstances
so as to leave a small percentage to be removed subsequently. This cannot be
effected without some gelatinisation taking place. When so-called insoluble nitro-
cellulose is used with nitro-glycerine, the gelatinisation produced during the drying
operation is comparatively incomplete, whilst with some of the more soluble nitro-
celluloses it is practically complete. The process is, however, not intended for
gelatinisation but simply for drying.
In process, 4, the scales or sheets as formed in process, 3, are transferred to a
kneading machine, pug mill, or other suitable incorporating machine, and the
substance is worked sufficiently for the final gelatinisation with a quantity of acetone,
acetic ether, or other solvent, such as will give a proper consistency for the purpose
in view.
Instead of adding bodies of group, 3, during the preliminary mixing, they may be
added in process, 4, or part may be added in process, 1, and part in process, 4, as
may be found most satisfactory.
In process, 5, the incorporated and gelatinised explosive is formed, by rolling or
pressing, into sheets, to be used as such or for cutting into strips or grains; or it
may be pressed or squirted into strings, rods, or tubes, of any desired shape or
section, for use in lengths or cut into short pieces or grains; or again it may be
pressed or moulded into larger-grained "powder " of hexagonal or square form for
heavy guns, etc.
In process, 6, the explosive having been brought to the desired forms has the
volatile solvent and any suspending liquid purposely left in it, removed by evaporation
or in any suitable known way. In some cases such evaporation may be applied
before finally shaping the compound into pellets or other pieces, in order to avoid
difficulty in evaporating solvents from thick bodies; and in such cases compression:
is by preference employed in the final shaping process.
The improved combination of processes hereinbefore described comprises some
methods or operations which are described or referred to in one or more of the
following Patent Specifications namely Newton (Nobel) 1471 of 1888, and 9361
of 1889, and Lundholm and Sayers, 10376, 12338, and 13486, of 1889. Our present.
combination of processes has, however, the following distinct advantages as compared
with previous methods.
We dispense entirely with the drying of bodies of group, 2, which is of great
importance as the operation of drying such bodies is the most dangerous operation
in the manufacture of smokeless powders.
We save time in the manufacture by avoiding the tedious process of drying bodies.
of group, 2, which cannot be done safely at a temperature above 50° C.
We do not expose bodies of group, 2, to heat during incorporation for more than
part of an hour, at about 50° C. and then they are wet until the last minute. This

page_text: is an advantage as regards stability over the ordinary drying in which they are
exposed to a temperature of from 40° C. to 50° C. for many hours.
We save solvents by having the explosive in a partly or wholly gelatinised
condition before adding the solvent, instead of having to saturate with solvent
bulky ungelatinised bodies. The time required to incorporate the solvent and
complete the gelatinisation is also reduced because of the explosive being already
more or less gelatinised and the bodies of groups, 1, and 2, being perfectly mixed
before the solvent is added.
By applying the solvent at the stage and in the manner hereinbefore described
any compound however hard otherwise or whatever may be the relative proportions
in it of the bodies of groups, 1, and, 2, is made capable of being shaped into
sheets, strings, rods, tubes, or other forms, with great facility and without the
application of heat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inveu-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
In the manufacture of explosives, the improved combination of processes in which
compounds are formed comprising in each case one or more bodies herein specified
as of group, 1, and one or more bodies herein specified as of group, 2, and with or
without one or more bodies herein specified as of group, 3, the ingredients or some
of them being thoroughly and uniformly mixed in the wet or moist state, and the
compound after separation of most of the liquid employed for mixing, and
after being more or less dried being treated with a suitable solvent and subjected
to kneading apparatus to complete the gelatinisation, and subsequently heated to
evaporate all or most of the solvent, all substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
Dated this Seventeenth day of December 1892.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicants' Agent.