Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 5.5
H-NMR spectrum of ethyl nitrate
5.2.3.1 Chemical
-
Physical Properties of n-Propyl Nitrate
Molecular formula: C
3
H
7
NO
3
Chemical structure:
H
H
3
C
H
2
C
C
ONO
2
H
Molecular weight: 105.09
Oxygen balance:
99.0 % (CO
2
-based)
Nitrogen content: 13.33 %
N-propyl nitrate is a
−
fl
flammable liquid with boiling point of 110.5
°
C and density
of 1.063. Its explosive property is not severe, thus that it is dif
cult to be detonated.
The calculated explosion heat is 549 kcal/kg (water vapor). The lead-block value
after recti
cation of the detonator is only 15 cm. The explosion limit of the mixture
with air is 2
100 %. Its
fl
flash point is 20
°
C and the ignition point in air is 176.7
°
C.
-
Its vapor, which is heavier than air, can spread around and be ignited by distant
re.
Furthermore, the ignition
flame would be returned to the n-propyl nitrate source.
Being heated, n-propyl nitrate would be exploded. A signi
fl
cant detonation could be
happened if it mixes with diatomaceous earth with ratio of 71.5/28.50. The lead-
block value is 230 cm. N-propyl nitrate can be used as a sensibilizer in cloud
detonation, a rocket propellant, and a promoter of cetane number for diesel oil.
5.2.3.2 Preparation of n-Propyl Nitrate
Hinkamp et al. [
55
] prepared n-propyl nitrate with a yield of 66.5 % by using
mixture acids of 20 wt% HNO
3
, 68 wt% H
2
SO
4
, and 12 wt% H
2
O. For this
preparation method, the yield is low and acid mist could be formed for environ-
mental pollution in the process of waste acid treatment by sulfuric acid method.
People [
56
] improved the n-propyl alcohol nitration on the nitrating agent and the
