The United States of America as Represented by the Department of Energy

The United States of America as Represented by the United States

Lester P Rigdon

Raymond R McGuire

Jackson E Harrar

Gordon L Moody

Jack C Bullock, Sr

Roland Quong

A method is disclosed for the preparation of very small particle size, relatively pure 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB). Particles of TATB prepared according to the disclosed method are of submicron size and have a surface area in the range from about 3.8 to 27 square meters per gram.

Preparation of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene of submicron particle size

Preparation of 1,3,5-triamo-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene of submicron particle size

A method and apparatus are disclosed for a large scale, electrochemical production of anhydrous nitric acid and N,O,. The method includes oxidizing a solution of N,O,/aqueous-HNO,at the anode, while reducing aqueous HNO,at the cathode, in a flow electrolyzer constructed of special materials. N,O,is produced at the cathode and may be separated and recycled as a feedstock for use in the anolyte. The process is controlled by regulating the electrolysis current until the desired products are obtained. The chemical compositions of the anolyte and catholyte are monitored by measurement of the solution density and the concentrations of N,O,.

Large-scale production of anhydrous nitric acid and nitric acid solutions of dinitrogen pentoxide

A reference electrode for the measurement of the oxidation-reduction potentials of solutions is especially suitable for oxidizing solutions such as highly concentrated and fuming nitric acids, the solutions of nitrogen oxides, N.sub.2 O.sub.4 and N.sub.2 O.sub.5, in nitric acids. The reference electrode is fabricated of entirely inert materials, has a half cell of Pt/Ce(IV)/Ce(III)/70 wt. % HNO.sub.3, and includes a double-junction design with an intermediate solution of 70 wt. % HNO.sub.3. The liquid junctions are made from Corning No. 7930 glass for low resistance and negligible solution leakage.

Reference electrode for strong oxidizing acid solutions

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Livermore, CA, United States of America

Lester P Rigdon