Dynamite collodion

In Poland, as in all parts of the world, blasting gelatine consisting of 92-94% nitroglycerine and 8-6% dynamite collodion cotton is used for work in hard rock. 

Methods for the manufacture of raw materials of requisite purity for nitroglycerine, nitroglycol and nitrodiethylene glycol production and for dynamite collodion cotton have already been described (Vol. II, pp. 87, 145, 152 and 409). 

In the manufacture of Blasting Gelatin and Gelatin Dynamites, Collodion Cotton which is prepd in the manner described in Vol 2 of Encycl (Ref 60, p C103 R), is used. Before using stabilized material, known as "Dynamite Cotton , it is dried at 40° and tested for its gelatinizing pro-... 

Collodion nitrocotton for manufact uring blasting gelatine and dynamite, also called dynamite cotton or dynamite collodion, is characterized by the very high viscosity of its solutions in organic solvents. It is produced by selecting a suitable cellulosic raw material, and performing the nitration at a low temperature, followed by a brief stabilization boil in a neutral or nearly neutral medium. The most important factor is the choice of suitable raw material. 

Nobel invented gelatinous dynamite in 1875 by accident. He investigated the effect of nitroglycerine on the collodion (nitrocellulose in a mixture of ether and alcohol) that he used to treat a cut finger and found that it produced a tough plastic material with adjustable viscosity and high water resistance. 

Nahsen Dynamites. Contained creosote to lower the freezing point of the mixt, A typical formulation contained creosote 41.5, NG 25.0, K nitrate 18.0, rye flour 9.0, collodion cotton 1.0 Na bicarbonate 5.5%... 

Pb or Ba dioxides 1% finely pulverized Cu 2% an extremely brisant expl. (d) Brisant expls were prepd by mixing solid or liq N.S.N. with PA in all proportions, (e) Gelantinous, dough-like expls can be prepd by dissolving 6p of collodion cotton in 94p of oily N.S.N., preheated to 100°. (f) By incorporating, with warming, 30—40% of AN plus flour into the above mixt (e), a solid mass is obtained which may be pulverized and used in lieu of Dynamites Refs 1) G. Schultz F. Gehr, USP 894707 (1906) 2) C. Distier, E. Blecher C. Lopez,... 

Notes It was proposed for use as an antifreeze addition to Dynamites. A blasting gelatine consisting of 93% 1,3-Propanediol Dinitrate and 7% collodion cotton gave a Pb block expansion of 470ml, or about 80% of the effect produced by the same gelatine contg NG... 

Explosifs couche. Fr expls with temp of expln below 1500°, which are permitted for use in coal layers of fiery coal mines. For example, Grisou-naphthalite couche contains AN 95 TNNaphthalene 5%, while Grisou-dynamite couche contains NG 12.0, collodion cotton 0.5 AN 87.5% (Ref 1). Sartorius and Kreyenbuhl (Ref 2) reported Explosifs couche contg NaCl 15 to 25% and Explosifs couche amSlior s contg 44 to 58% NaCl (Comp with Explosifs roche)... 

Gelatine-Cheddit (Ger). Gelatinous expls based on chlorates, such as Na chlorate 70 Sc Collodion Cotton gelatinized with NG. They might serve as substitute Dynamites... 

Nobel developed gelatinous dynamite in 1875 by making a jelly from the dissolution of a collodion-type nitrocotton in NG, producing a more powerful explosive than the straight dynamite and one that proved to be safer. Later ammonium nitrate was also used in dynamite, which made it even safer and less expensive to produce. 

The rate of detonation undergoes similar variations. E.g. dynamite consisting of 62.5% nitroglycerine, 3.5% collodion cotton, 28% potassium perchlorate and 6 % woodmeal detonates with a rate of 7000 m/sec immediately after mixing. In... 

Dynamites, gelatine dynamites or gelatines—explosives with high contents of nitroglycerine. In the second group collodion cotton is used to form a gel with nitroglycerine. 

Collodion cotton is supplied wet to dynamite factories with a water content up to 30-35%. Some factories use it directly in this form, although the presence of water is detrimental to the uniformity of the gel produced. In the majority of factories nitrocellulose is dried before use. 

The dynamite ingredients are mixed with a solution of collodion cotton in nitroglycerine prepared separately or in a mixture of nitroglycerine with nitroglycol. The drying and milling of the ingredients are preparatory operations. 

Dissolution of collodion cotton. The collodion cotton used for the manufacture of dynamite gives solutions of very high viscosity. Since it dissolves very slowly, to avoid delays in production, dissolution is usually divided into two stages, viz. initial dissolution and mixing. 

Mixing. For mixing the solution of collodion cotton with the other dynamite ingredients vertical kneaders of the Drais type are commonly used (Figs. 173 and 174). The kneader of this type consists of stirrers and a vertical cylindrical tank provided with thermal insulation. The stirrers are fitted with a mechanism enabling them to be lifted and lowered. The toothed wheels which drive the mechanism are... 

The tanks have a capacity of 300-4501. and hold approximately 200-300 kg of dynamite. They are suitable for the initial dissolution of collodion cotton (in a separate room) and for efficient mixing of the collodion cotton with nitroglycerine by hand (in rubber gloves) or with a hand-operated paddle. After the initial dissolu-... 

In order to obtain a better antifreeze, the Dynamit AG of Germany patented in 1904 the use of Dinitrochlorohydrin (DNCH), described in this Encycl, Vol 3 (Ref 64, p C266-L) under the name of 2-Chloropropane-1, 3-diol-l,3-diriitrate or j8-Dinitrochlorohydrin, (O2NO).CH2.CH(Cl).CH3(0NO 3). This compd did not reduce appreciably the expl properties of Dynamites but lowered sufficiently the fr p of NG. As an example of such Dynamites may be cited a German LF Dynamite contg NG 44, DNCH 19, Collodion Cotton 2, Na... 

These powdery Dynamites were low-freezing and contained, besides NG/NGc and large amt of Na nitrate, a substantial amt of coated AN. One of the formulations contained less than 0.1% Collodion Cotton for reasons unknown to us. The quantity was not sufficient to serve as a gelatinizer. Oxygen balance of these explosives was near zero... 

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