Nitroglycerin, whose scientific name is glycerol trinitrate, was invented by the Italian chemist Sobrero. It has a molecular weight of 227.09, an oxygen balance of 3.5%, a relative density of 1.6009 at 15 degrees Celsius, and a relative density of 1.5960 at 20 degrees Celsius. The explosion speed is as high as 7700 meters per second. , the equivalent of trinitrotoluene is 1.4 times, and the flash point is 180 degrees Celsius.
Nitroglycerin, which was developed by Nobel and became world-famous, is essentially a liquid explosive with extremely strong explosive power. However, due to its high mechanical sensitivity, nitroglycerin-based explosives are basically used in the fields of engineering blasting and mountain excavation. and the field of propellants and propellants.
Nitroglycerine has excellent plastic-dissolving properties for low-nitrogen nitrocellulose and is an ideal energy component for modern rifle ammunition and mortar powder. It acts as a 'nitrate ester energetic plasticizer' in single-base propellants.
The single-base propellant under development can adjust the energy and other properties of the gunpowder by changing the content of nitroglycerin.
However, nitroglycerine also has a fatal flaw, that is, it has extremely poor chemical stability and is very easy to explode. It only needs vibration and impact to cause an explosion.
Nitroglycerine, which was born in 1847, was extremely troublesome during the early production period. The explosives factory had to be rebuilt if not paying attention. The father and brother of Nobel, the dynamite master, died at the hands of nitroglycerin. Later, after thinking hard, Nobel finally came up with the idea. Exploring a mature nitroglycerin production process - cold water pipe heat dissipation production, to achieve stable and reliable nitroglycerin production.
The danger lies here.
Yu Hua did not have specialized machinery, equipment or production processes, nor did he have the cold water pipe heat dissipation production process created by Nobel. He could only produce nitroglycerin using the ice bath method.
The entire preparation process must be extremely careful. If there is a mistake, it can range from injury to death.
You know, this stuff is something that everyone can do in the field of chemistry in later generations, but no one does it.
The range of movement was slightly larger and he blew himself up.
My hands were shaking and I couldn't hold it steady, so I blew myself up.
My foot sprained and I blew myself up.
Accidental collision or self-destruction.
Preparing nitroglycerin is no joke.
As for why we need to make this kind of explosive that others had ninety years ago?
the reason is simple--
First, this is a necessary process for the development of single-base propellants and double-base propellants.
Second, accumulate valuable experimental experience.
Third, if someone else has it, it belongs to them. Once a conflict breaks out, see if others will sell it to you.
For the upcoming Anti-Japanese War, this is an extremely practical explosive technology for Chinese troops such as the Eighth Route Army and Sichuan Army who lack weapons.
A large-dose beaker full of glycerin was placed on the table of the operating table. Yu Hua relaxed his body, and the thinking in his mind approximated a physical system, constantly simulating the process of preparing nitroglycerin.
Xu Rui, who was standing aside, silently stared at the large-dose beaker full of glycerin. Looking at the transparent, colorless and viscous liquid, there was a trace of curiosity in his eyes. Although he did not know the specific function of glycerin, he could tell from Yu Hua's attitude and expression. Understand that this is an important thing.
He didn't make a sound to disturb Yu Hua, and stood quietly aside.
The brightly lit laboratory was quiet, except for the occasional barking of dogs not far away.
"Ruizi, go get the ice bucket." After about five minutes of rest, Yu Hua carried out the last two simulations before the experiment again, then took a deep breath and ordered with a serious face.
Xu Rui nodded and turned around to get the ice bucket that had been prepared in advance.
Ice bath, this is an important physical means to make nitroglycerin less 'naughty'.
Yu Hua turned around and went to the materials area on the left, picking up concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid, which were incredibly difficult to purchase.
Yu Hua, who originally thought that sulfuric acid and nitric acid were the easiest to buy, forgot that glycerin is one of the strategic materials. Concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid also belong to the list of strategic materials and are strictly controlled.
These concentrated sulfuric acids and nitric acids came from the Tianjin black market. Ruizi went to Tianjin to buy them. The manufacturer was Yongli Chemical Industry Company, and the price was five times the normal price of nitric sulfuric acid.
In one word, expensive.
Returning to the operating table with two bottles of nitric sulfuric acid in corresponding proportions, Xu Rui had already lifted a wooden barrel of about 30 kilograms containing ice cubes and water onto the operating table.
"Ruizi, step away." Yu Hua looked serious and signaled Xu Rui to retreat to a safe distance.
"Yes." Sensing Yu Hua's caution, Xu Rui left decisively. He didn't understand anything, and staying here would only cause more trouble.
After retreating to a safe position, the whole person stared at Yu Hua bathed in the light.
"Nitroglycerin is a nitrate ester energetic plasticizer in this single-base propellant formula. The raw materials are as follows: glycerin, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid. The preparation process is to first mix nitric acid and sulfuric acid in proportion. The specific ratio is... Get nitrate and sulfur mixed acid.”
"The second step is ice bath. Put the glycerin into ice water at low temperature, then pour in nitric acid and mixed acid and stir until it is fully mixed to form a saturated solution, and the finished product of light yellow viscous liquid is obtained. Note that this process needs to be in a closed space. , to avoid vibration..."
After Xu Rui retreated to a safe distance, Yu Hua did not conduct the experiment immediately. Instead, he picked up a pen and experimental notebook to record the subsequent preparation process and detailed steps of the nitroglycerin experiment.
Every step must be observed and recorded, which is the basic requirement for scientific experiments.
Of course, in a formal laboratory, there is usually a dedicated person or assistant responsible for recording. Xu Rui cannot meet the requirements for the time being, and Yu Hua can only write down the entire experimental preparation process in one go.
After writing hundreds of words eloquently, Yu Hua put down his experimental notebook and pen and looked at the large-dose beaker containing a large amount of glycerin.
With the experience of simulating the operation three hundred and fifty-two times in his mind, Yu Hua steadily picked up the beaker with his right hand, gently shook the clear and transparent colorless glycerin, and then placed it in the ice bucket.
Immediately afterwards, the person took nitric acid in his left hand and sulfuric acid in his right hand, carefully poured it into a beaker according to the formula proportion, and stirred it with a glass rod to fully mix it, forming a nitrate-sulfur mixed acid that is extremely harmful to the human body.
Just one drop can burn the skin anywhere, causing deep damage.
After waiting for about a minute for the nitrate, sulfur and acid to be fully mixed, Yu Hua picked up the beaker and carefully poured it into the glycerin cup in the ice bucket.
In an instant, with the contact of two different substances, nitrate and sulfur mixed acid and glycerin, a strong esterification reaction immediately occurred. After all the nitrate and sulfur mixed acid was poured out, Yu Hua carefully picked up the glass rod and continued to stir the large-dose beaker. He was highly concentrated. , if there is any abnormality, prepare to run away immediately.
Fortunately, the expected explosion did not occur.
Soon, a light yellow viscous transparent liquid appeared. This was nitroglycerin, which was both an explosive and a drug for the treatment of angina pectoris and coronary heart disease.
