Method for manufacture of microcrystalline nitrocellulose

Abstract

A microcrystalline nitrocellulose composition for use in an energetic high-nitrogen fuel, which exhibits the plastic characteristics of colloided nitrocellulose, suitable for forming, molding, or compacting, and a method of manufacturing the same.

1 . A composition comprising microcrystalline nitrocellulose.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said microcrystalline nitrocellulose is in pellet form.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said microcrystalline nitrocellulose is compacted into a cylindrical form to axially receive a projectile at a first end, and to axially receive a primer means at a second end, said second end opposite said first end.  
   
   
       4 . A high-nitrogen fuel comprising between 10 to 98 percent microcrystalline nitrocellulose by weight.  
   
   
       5 . The high-nitrogen fuel of  claim 4  further including at least one additive selected from a set of additives including crystalline salts, crystalline oxidizers, carbonaceous fuels, and powdered metals.  
   
   
       6 . The high-nitrogen fuel of  claim 5  wherein said crystalline salts comprise between 2 to 20 percent of the high-nitrogen fuel by weight.  
   
   
       7 . The high-nitrogen fuel of  claim 5  wherein said crystalline oxidizer comprises between 2 to 40 percent of the high-nitrogen fuel by weight.  
   
   
       8 . The high-nitrogen fuel of  claim 5  wherein said carbonaceous fuel comprises between 1 to 10 percent of the high-nitrogen fuel by weight.  
   
   
       9 . A process for producing microcrystalline nitrocellulose, comprising nitrating microcrystalline cellulose particles.  
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 9  for producing microcrystalline nitrocellulose further including the step of producing said microcrystalline cellulose particles from the hydrolytic degradation of cellulose.  
   
   
       11 . The process of  claim 9  for producing microcrystalline nitrocellulose wherein said microcrystalline cellulose particles are nitrated with an acidic solution including at least nitric acid.  
   
   
       12 . The process of  claim 11  for producing microcrystalline nitrocellulose wherein said microcrystalline cellulose particles are nitrated with an acidic solution including at least sulfuric acid.  
   
   
       13 . The process of  claim 9  for producing microcrystalline nitrocellulose further including the step of compacting said nitrated microcrystalline cellulose into pellets.  
   
   
       14 . The process of  claim 9  for producing microcrystalline nitrocellulose further including the step of regulating said nitration of said microcrystalline cellulose particles by selecting a size of said microcrystalline cellulose particles for nitration.  
   
   
       15 . A process for producing a pyrotechnic composition, comprising: 
 nitrating microcrystalline cellulose to produce microcrystalline nitrocellulose; and    combining said microcrystalline nitrocellulose with at least one additive selected from a set of additives including crystalline salts, crystalline oxidizers, carbonaceous materials, and powdered metals.    
   
   
       16 . The process of  claim 15  for producing a pyrotechnic composition further including the step of compacting said combination of microcrystalline nitrocellulose and said at least one additive into pellet form.