Peat, nitrated

Peat, Nitrated (Nitrotourbe in Fr). When partially dried peat (preferably approaching the lignite stage) is nitrated with nitric-sulfuric acid, tarry expl substances (resembling nitrated tars in appearance) are obtained. If the peat is of recent formation, the nitration reaction proceeds too violently (Ref 1)... 

Oliver s Powder. A BkPdr, patented in Engl in 1869, in which peat replaced the charcoal, and K chlorate, desensitized by either wax, lard or rosin replaced the K nitrate. Also see refs under Quorate Explosives in Vol 2, C205-R Ref Daniel (1902), 590... 

Punshon-Explosive. Patented in 1870 consisted of NC soaked for 12 hrs in a sugar soln, and an oxidizer, such as a nitrate. Another expl, patented by the same inventor in 1875, was a 70% Dynamite contg either peat or toasted peas as absorbants, to which pulverized NC could be added. The third expl patented by Punshon (1880) consisted of nitric and picric acids absorbed on a porous material such as asbestos, and loaded into cartridges which were painted with a mixt of Na silicate and powdered glass Punshon was also the inventor of Qxonite and Victorite (qv)... 

Potassium nitrate in cloth sacks stowed next to baled peat moss became involved in a ship fire and caused rapid flame spread and explosions [1]. Heat transfer salt from a new supplier was added to a pilot plant reactor salt bath. Some 12 h after start of heating to melt the bath contents a muffled explosion occurred, attributed to presence of organic impurities in the new salt [2],... 

V. Nitroglycerine low-density powder. This is a modification of Group IV. Low density (ca. 0.7) is obtained by incorporating vegetable fibre or peat. A low density form of ammonium nitrate and sodium chloride may also be used. A 1 Roun-kol is an example of an explosive of this group. Sheathed Rounkol has been replaced by Unikol. They are used for soft coal, for maximum lump production. Their water resistance is the same as that of Group IV. 

The other types of cheap ammonium nitrate explosives to made on the spot by mixing ammonium nitrate with cheap solid fuel such as carbon black, peat, brown coal etc. were also suggested in the U.S.A. They are much less popular than AN-FO. 

Von Geldern, Egmont. In 1899 patented expl compns contg naturally carbonized cellulose, such as peat, dead tree leaves, etc, with Amm nitrate and other ingredients. One expl of this type contained partially carbonized wood and was called Dynammon (see Vol 5, D1742-R) Ref Daniel (1902), 231 793-94... 

Courteille Powder. A kind of BkPdr invented in 1875 It contained K or Na nitrate, peat, oily substances metallic sulfates Ref Daniel (1902), 172... 

Redroot pigweed Amaranthus retroflexus (L.) Gliocladiiim virens Miller, Giddens Foster peat moss contg. 22 sucrose and ammonium nitrate ... 

Potassimn nitrate in cloth sacks stowed next to baled peat moss became involved... 

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