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1,054,15
been unsuccessfully made to utilize chlorite
of potash as a powder base, on account of
the instability of such substance and its lia-
bility to easily explode by attrition or per-
S cussion when mixed with other substances
either during or after admixture. I have
found by extensive experimentation that
these defects are overcome by a combination
of the ingredients employed by me in the
10 proportions named, and a safe and reliable
explosive produced. The sugar may be used
in less proportion to that named to reduce
the explosive force of the compound, but
in the proportion of one part to two parts
15 of the chlorate of potash furnishes maxi-
mum explosive power, any greater amount
being both objectionable and excessive. The
alcohol serves several purposes. Its addi-
tion, without other substances, to the chlo-
20 rate and sugar, in some manner reduces to
a material degree or prevents explosion of
the mixture by attrition or percussion, and
renders innocuous the small proportion of
slightly obnoxious harmless gases generated,
25 thus making the compound capable of being
safely manufactured, stored and handled.
Moreover, the alcohol increases the rapidity
of ignition of the particles, and accordingly
enhances the explosive force of the powder.
30 This action is further promoted by the ac-
tion of the denatured alcohol, through the
increased inflammability due to the presence
of the benzin or denaturing substance. By
storing the compound in sealed containers
35 evaporation of the alcohol to any appreci-
able degree may be prevented, but any loss
of alcohol. may be compensated for at any
time in an obvious manner.
I am aware of the fact that it has hereto.
40 fore been proposed to combine sugar and
potassium chlorate with water, the mixture
being dried, granulated and ground into a
powder. Such a combination, however, can-
not be safely made. or preserved, and the
45 necessary step of grinding increases the cost
of production and cannot under any ordi-
nary conditions be carried out without an
explosion.
I am also aware of the fact that it has
50 heretofore been proposed to combine chlorateof potash and sugar in equal parts, but for
reasons stated this compound would be in-
effective and could not be safely made or
kept.
I am also aware of the fact that it has 55
heretofore been proposed to combine sugar
and chlorate of potash in other proportions
than those employed by me, and. also to use
with such mixtures alcohol as a solvent for
other substances, but not in the manner or 60
for the purpose employed by me, and that
it has also been proposed to combine with
such mixtures alum, sulfur and other sub-
stances, which cannot be employed without
causing attrition or chemical changes renj 65
dering it difficult to make or keep.the mix-
ture without producing an explosion, and
which objections I am enabled to avoid
through the combination herein disclosed.
The term " anhydrous," as used in the 76
claims is intended to indicate that the ma-
terial is substantially free from water; such
small traces of water as are liable to be
present in the materials, chlorate and sugar,
being included, and such amounts of water 76
as are usually found in denatured alcohol
also being included. I, therefore, do not
claim any of such combinations, but
What I do claim as new and desire to
secure by Letters-Patent is :- so
1. An explosive compound consisting, es-
sentially, of an anhydrous admixture of
potassium chlorate, two parts, white granu-
lated sugar, one part, and denatured alcohol.
2. An explosive compound consisting, es- 85
sentially, of an anhydrous admixture of
potassium chlorate, two parts, white granu-
lated sugar, one part, alcohol, and a vola-
tile hydrocarbon.
3. An explosive consisting of potassium 90
chlorate, two parts; sugar, one part; and a
small amount of alcohol and a volatile hy-
drocarbon.
In testimony whereof I affix my signature
in presence of two witnesses.
- CHARLES F. DIPPEL.
Witnesses:
B. F. TEAGUE,.
A. J. WENDT.
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Dippel, Charles F. Explosive Compound, patent, February 25, 1913; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth509386/m1/2/: accessed June 22, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.