Study of the nitrocellulose gunpowder regeneration process using hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

World experience in storing ammunition shows that during long-term storage, pyroxylin gunpowders used in ammunition are capable of arbitrarily undergoing various physical and chemical transformations, which negatively affects the ballistic characteristics of ammunition. In some countries, ammunition is in use with a shelf life of 30–35 years or more. Factors influencing the physicochemical stability of gunpowder charges during long-term storage have been identified. An analysis of the chemical processes occurring in nitrocellulose gunpowders (NCP) during long-term storage is carried out, and the possibility of regenerating NCP by treatment with hydrogen peroxide is substantiated. It is indicated that there are no methods for regenerating gunpowder charges with long shelf life. It has been shown that one of the ways to increase the ballistic and energy characteristics of long-term storage ammunition can be the regeneration of nitrocellulose gunpowder charges. Data are presented on an experimental study to determine the characteristics of NCP after regeneration. It has been shown that when regenerating nitrocellulose gunpowder charges with hydrogen peroxide, the calorific value of the starting material increases. Based on the results obtained, an approach to assessing the feasibility of using regeneration technology is proposed. This approach is based on the effect of mass replenishment during the regeneration process due to ongoing chemical processes and heat and mass transfer. The ways for further research on the use of nitrocellulose as a high-calorie fuel are presented