golfpro - 3-6-2013 at 18:17
What should the temperature be kept at during the time of the addition of Erythritol to the pre-made nitrating mix of Sulfuric Acid and KNO3?
Also, how fine does the erythritol need to be? I have granules of it and am trying to think of an effective way to powder this w/ out getting too
fancy.
Thanks
Finnnicus - 3-6-2013 at 19:05
Between 2-7C from what I've heard. Someone more experienced will tell you.
The obvious choice is to use a mortar and pestle!
hyfalcon - 3-6-2013 at 19:25
Cheap coffee grinder will work. Ball milling is ideal.
golfpro - 3-6-2013 at 19:34
Oh and I am actually going to use AN as the nitrating salt changed my mind.
Finnnicus - 3-6-2013 at 19:42
You will need to dry the AN. Ball mill, then dry.
Fantasma4500 - 4-6-2013 at 10:13
AN gives worse yields than KNO3 but its easier to stir
ohwell
coffee grinders will definately work for AN.. will give extremely fine powder within 10 seconds
i think you should wait to hear some others opinions on this, but of what ive heard basically below 20*C should be fine, think i heard 25 and even
30*C as working also but.. dont try this unless if its confirmed
Dr. Keron Ali-Q.C - 8-6-2013 at 15:53
in the nitration of ammonium nitrate it should be no higher than 15*C. THIS SHOULD NOT BE EXCEEDED since the gain of internal energy will cause the
bond to break free violently. i would suggest nitric acid and a catalyst like sulfuric acid to be mre efficent though it needs to be in a cold place
Dr. Keron Ali-Q.C - 8-6-2013 at 15:55
the same should apply to what ever you `re nitrating for safety
the presence of potassium might cause a mishap
Motherload - 9-6-2013 at 11:14
@ Dr Keron
Where did you get 15*C from ?
My PE doesn't even start to nitrate till ~17*C
If the nitration is carried at too low a temp .... It can cause a runaway as well.
For example (The values used are made up and not actual used to make a point) you attempt to nitrate erythritol @ 10*C and nitration doesn't start
till about 14-15*C. You will have made 5-10 additions of erythritol till the system warms up to 15*C. Now you will have yourself a big problem.
The 5-10 additions that you made are all getting nitrated at the same time ... Spiking the temperature to well over 30-35*C causing a runaway.
Erythritol is somewhat soluble in mixed acids but ETN isn't and you should start seeing white powder formation.
Add a pinch of erythritol to your flask with swirling and observe the particles floating in there. If you can see erythritol crystals just floating
around with no tiny bubbles or white powder formation around them .... Your temperature is too low. Let it warm a few degrees and try again.
[Edited on 9-6-2013 by Motherload]