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The Alchemist

Member Since 20 Apr 2004
Offline Last Active Feb 24 2005 07:11 AM

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Display Pyrotechnics by R.L.Ansin. I started making black powder at age eight, nearly fifty years ago. Things developed over time including many pyrotechnic failures and explosions as my construction and rockets ripped themselves to shreds. Gaining considerable experience in commercial blasting, I obtained a unrestricted dept of Labour, construction blasters certificate in 1977 and have since undertaken all manner of specialty blasts. I built my second powder mill in 1983, preferring to make a wheel mill. This powder has a much faster burn rate than ball milled powder. The mill consists of two 80 kg lead antimony alloy wheels rotating in an annulus ground into a large slab of fine grained granite. About one revolution every eight seconds. The meal powder produced is used for fuse "match" and pyro. A large amount of that produced is pressed and granulated for cannon and mortar blowing grain. Also the finer fractions for BP weapons and of course star projection from candles. I have taught pyrotechnic manufacture to several people including one that has now established his own manufacturing business. In an effort to obtain raw materials I have set up an extensive synthesis operation producing both chlorates and perchlorates from salt. Peroxides and nitro cellulose. By spray atomising metals produce fine metal shot which is later ball milled to flake. With specialised metal melting facilities I make magnalium and produce crushed titanium flake. In over twenty five years of operating a BP mill I have only had three flashes, all occuring in one day. They were caused by fine quartz sand grains present in the pot nitrate being crushed, producing a high voltage discharge igniting the mill cake. Otherwise I have not joined the three finger club. Safety is of the utmost consideration in any pyrotechnic work. Charcoal for BP is produced from Willow and other woods for a lasting spark. Lamp black a real curse is made by burning oil in a wet brick chamber and vaccuming it out. Cardboard and glue after chemicals are the next most expensive items. Prefering to buy card in 250 lb packs to get the best quantity discount for smaller purchases.. Pot nitrate from agricultural suppliers and pot chloride are all quite reasonably priced in bulk compared to buying smaller quantities from other suppliers. It is surprising how quickly you go through 25 kg of nitrate. As yet I have not been able to produce a good jumping jack despite many years of trial. Brooks really had their act together on that one. Oh I loved the English fireworks available as a kid. Kind regards Ray Ansin The Alchemist

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In Topic: Synthisis Of Potassium Perchlorate

24 February 2005 - 07:08 AM

Prepare sodium chlorate by electrolysis of sodium chloride and keep the electrolysis going untill you smell oxone being produced. At this point you have nearly 98 percent perchlorate. Remember that a little pot chromate is required in the sol. It increases yeild efficiency but it is very carcinogenic. them ppt the pot per chlor by addition of pot chloride sol. filter and recrystalise from boiling sol which elininates any remaining chlorate. Method is widely published in any good practical chemistry text. Pt electrododes work best and are quite reasonably priced if you make them from a piece lab pure sheet obtained from johnson matthey.
In a simple cell. A bucket. a kilo of salt in sol takes a couple of days to electrolise.
For an adventure in pyro visit
http://glassbeads.co.nz and open the chemistry page.
Ray

In Topic: Pharaoh's serpants?

28 April 2004 - 07:52 AM

I think that really it is best to keep away from mercury compounds unless you have a through knowledge of inorganic chemistry and a strong grounding in the practical application of chemical practice. And a suitable lab conforming to OSH regulations for the handling of toxic substances.
Even with all these conditions in place several years after working with this compound on two occasions, I recorded very high levels of mercury in my hair. This had resulted from the skin absorbtion of mercury. At that stage I stopped using mercury salts in my compositions and have never since!
Regards
Ray
The Alchemist

In Topic: Potassium Perchlorate

27 April 2004 - 05:32 AM

potassium perchlorate is easily prepared in quantity by electrolisis of Sodium chloride or chlorate.
The first article in this thread is a very good description of the process. I now use Platinium electrodes.
The electrolysis is continued untill ozone is smelt. At this point almost 98 percent of the salt has been converted from chloride to chlorate then on to perchlorate. KCl granule is cheaply obtained from agricultural fertiliser suppliers originating from the vast deposits in Germany at only a few dozen pence a lb. I may be a little out on that one.
Filtered KCl solution is added to the filtered electrolyte.
The Pot perchlorate formed then falls out of the solution as a finely crystalised product.. It is filtered off washed with cold waterand recrystalised to remove residue Sodium ions a couple of times.
If you have time and use quantities of perchlorate this is the easiest option. For small users its best to purchase it.
cheap cheap cheap the budgie said.
For an interesting story in Pyro have a look at my alchemy web page at
http://www.glassbeads.co.nz.
Cheers
Ray
The Alchemist

In Topic: carbonates oxides? pottery supplies

27 April 2004 - 02:12 AM

Over the years I have used pottery suppliers for both Barium and Strontium carbonate. The material sold in NZ originated in China.
The Strontium I needed to dissolve in dil HCl till neutral and filter. Then re precipitate the carbonate by adding Pot carbonate solution. Filtering and washing several times in distilled H2O. The purity of colour is far better than the straight impure carbonate as supplied,
The Barium presents more of a problem as quite often barium and sodium sulphide is present as an impurity. After dissolving the crude carbonate a strong smell of Hydrogen sulphide is often evident. Upon standing a cloud of Barium sulphate from oxidised sulphide forms for many days afterwards. Air aggitation of the solution hastens the oxidation of sulphide to sulphate.. After standing the filtered solution is then either re precipitated as carbonate by the addition of pot carbonate. Then after filtering washing and drying be dissolved in nitric acid and crystalised forming Barium Nitrate which is almost AR quality in purity. Or it has the correct amount of Sodium chlorate added to form barium chlorate which is fractionally crystalised out, separated and recrystalised several times to eliminate any sodium.
You have to be aware that any sulphide present in the Barium carbonate is very dangerous if it should be mixed into a comp containing chlorate.
The Alchemist