Gunpowder Synthesis Part 2 by richard Barton

Chemical reactions: (1) Double displacement Rxn for extraction of potassium nitrate from calcium-containing nitrogenous desposits: Ca(NO3)2(aq) + K2CO3(aq) --> CaCO3(s) + 2 KNO3(aq) (2) Explosion of charcoal, potassium nitrate, and sulphur: 2 KNO3(s) + 3 C(s) + S(s) --> N2(g) + 3 CO2(g) + K2S(s) + energy As the size the particles decrease, the available surface area for the reaction increases.

Procedure: 1.) Scrape nitrogen-rich white crust from manurial soil, or leach saltpeter from guano caves. To separate out the potassium nitrate, use reaction (1). Calcium nitrate will mess up the explosion of the powder so it must be removed. Charcoal burns in air with the following combustion reaction: C(s) + O2 -->CO2 however, this is not enough to propel a bullet. The oxidant saltpeter (potassium nitrate) supplies oxygen to the burning carbon so it can burn faster without needing so much oxygen from the air. Other oxidants would work just as well as saltpeter; however, it will be used because it is easy to attain without advanced technology. Also, other oxidants burn faster and produce different explosions: for instance, ammonium nitrate detonation would destroy the barrel of gun it was used with. Saltpeter Cave Back - Home - Next