I have seen numerous different values for the amounts that should be used when nitrating HNO3, however I have seen very few that use 95%+ HNO3 such as
I have. What are the optimum ratios of 98% H2SO4: 95%+ HNO3: cellulose? And is there anything wrong with leaving my cotton to nitrate for more tan the
usual 10-30 minute?
The reason I ask is because before when I have nitrated I have used a gross excess of acids, because I was only nitrating 1-2 cotton balls at a time
and so yield didn't matter. This time around I want to get the best yield possible without compromising the quality of the nitrocellulose
produced. This is important as I intend to light the stuff on my hand (dont worry, I've done it many times before)
P.S. If this proves to be a question easily answered feel free to move it to the quick questions thread after it has been answered.Motherload - 27-2-2014 at 01:45
I suspect it to be more related to temperature than time.
My Pentaerythritol doesn't even start to nitrate till about 17*C.
I could spend hours at 5*C and nothing would happen.
But past 25*C the nitration is almost instantaneous with the temp
climbing as more and more water is produced.
That needs good regulation ...... Otherwise it would lead to a runaway !!!VladimirLem - 27-2-2014 at 09:54