Gunpowder Production Research Articles

Fast microwave carbonization of aluminum-coated plastic wastes and perspectives: The examples of CDs and snack bags

Aluminum-coated plastics, such as CDs and snack bags, are widely used and consumed around the world. Since millions of CDs and trillions of snack bags end up in landfills and oceans as plastic waste every year, we suggest here an easy, fast, and cost-effective method for transforming this significant volume of garbage into added-value carbon using microwave technology. The proposed method differs from existing time- and energy-consuming pyrolytic processes employed in the traditional carbonization of this sort of waste. Conceptually, direct irradiation of the aluminum-coated plastic items in a domestic microwave oven heats up the metallic coating, thus triggering carbonization of the plastic substrate. The resulting carbon, which is characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, has structural similarities to carbons produced from CDs and snack bags using pyrolytic methods. In other words, the microwave technique produces similar effect, but it is faster and more energy efficient. We finally demonstrate some practical uses of the derived materials in gunpowder production, carbothermal production of metals and grey paint formulations.

Archaeological Evidence of Landscape and Environmental Changes Due to Iron and Gunpowder Production in Mauritius

Archaeological Evidence of Landscape and Environmental Changes Due to Iron and Gunpowder Production in Mauritius

Analysis of the properties of bast raw materials as a component of fabric for military uniforms

The relevance of the present research is determined by the need to replace imported raw materials for manufacturing military clothing with Ukrainian raw materials of industrial hemp and oilseed flax. The aim was to analyse the quality properties of bast raw materials and determine their potential for use in military uniforms. In the course of solving the set goals, the methods of complex analysis, synthesis, observation, measurement, comparison and generalisation of the obtained results and information were applied, as well as standard methods generally accepted in the light industry were implemented. It is noted that hemp cottonin and oilseed flax fiber, in contrast to other natural fibers, are more durable, resistant to abrasion, decay, and are characterised by sanitary, antistatic, hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties. It has been revealed that fabrics made of these fibers are durable, have high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, hold colour well, do not fade, etc. The academic paper analyses scientific studies on the use of this raw material for various types of military clothing, protective body armour, and gunpowder production. By determining the main properties of the bast raw materials under study, the possibility of using this raw material in some types of military uniforms was established. The main feature of the structure and components of the research was the systematic and comprehensive study of the quality properties of bast raw materials at all stages of its processing. It was proposed to use oilseed flax fibers and hemp cottonin instead of cotton fibers in fabrics for military purposes. This will reduce the state’s material expenditures on the purchase of fabric for the defense sector and, at the same time, it will help bring the Ukrainian light industry to a new quality level and increase the competitiveness of Ukrainian manufactured goods in the global market. Knowledge of the properties of bast raw materials can help manufacturers improve the quality of fabrics for military purposes

Bioremediation potential of the Chlorella and Scenedesmus microalgae in explosives production effluents

This study explores microalgae-based bioremediation for treating black gunpowder production effluents, an understudied yet environmentally significant stream. Two native microalgae, Chlorella sp. MC18 (CH) and Scenedesmus sp. MJ23-R (SC), were assessed for growth kinetics and nutrient removal capabilities in culture media containing different proportions of untreated raw wastewater. Results show both species thrived in 100 % raw wastewater, displaying robust growth and substantial biomass production in parallelepiped-shaped photobioreactors. SC showed superior performance, with higher maximum specific growth rate (0.549 d−1), biomass yield (454.57 mg L−1) and biomass productivity (64.94 mg L−1 d−1) compared to CH (0.524 d−1, 380.60 mg L−1, 54.37 mg L−1 d−1, respectively). The use of 100 % raw wastewater as a culture medium eliminated the need for additional freshwater input, thus reducing the water footprint. The bioremediation process also resulted in a high removal efficiency in turbidity (>95 % CH, >76 % SC), total suspended solids (>93 % CH, >74 % SC), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) (>62 % CH, >93 % SC) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (>63 % CH, >87 % SC), bringing the effluent into compliance with environmental regulations. Although nitrogen (>45 % CH, >57 % SC) and sulphate (>43 % CH, >35 % SC) removal efficiencies was high, potassium bioremediation was limited (<6 %). The proximate chemical composition of the microalgal biomass revealed different allocations to carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The results suggest promising applications for biofuel production and aquaculture. This research highlights the potential of microalgae-based bioremediation for sustainable wastewater management in the explosives industry, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and promoting green industrial practices.

Gunpowder Production in Peter the Great’s Russia (Insights from Russian Historiography)

Based on an analysis of the studies published by Russian researchers of the pre-revolutionary, Soviet, and post-Soviet periods, the article overviews the development of gunpowder production in Russia during the reign of Peter I, from the end of the 17th century to the first quarter of the 18th century. The early development of military-technical policy pursued by the Russian state in producing gunpowder is considered. Its inconsistency and zigzag nature are shown. The industrial infrastructure for gunpowder production and the major stages of its history are described. The characteristic features that point to its institutionalization as an integral part of the Russian military industry are identified: state management of the industry, centralized introduction of new techniques, and establishment of an effective personnel training system. The conclusion is made that the efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in gunpowder production through the use of saltpeter and sulfur were unsuccessful. Gunpowder production in Russia was also greatly influenced by the European raw materials market and technical expertise. The need for further research on this topic is highlighted.

«Для воинского время порох делают они, киргисцы, все, кто имеет при себе ружье». Особенности производства казахского пороха в XVII–XIX веках

The history of Qazaq warfare in the 17th – 19th centuries remain one of the understudied problems in Qazaq historiography. This article presents new archival data that shed light on the production of Qazaq arms in the 17th – 19th centuries. The source base was the materials of the military expedition of the Military Board of the Russian State Military Historical Archive. Based on published and unpublished sources quite interesting information about the production of gunpowder by the Qazaqs in this period was collected, which provides an opportunity for further research on this topic. The Qazaqs purchased sulfur exclusively in Central Asian cities, although it was not of very high quality, which could only affect the quality of the gunpowder itself. Sulfur was found near the “old cemeteries” or “Qalmaq mounds”. The key material in this work is the report of Baigul Bedibaev, a captured Qazaq, who gave very interesting information not only about the production of gunpowder, but also about the deposits and production of lead — one of the important components in the production of firearms. In the production and use of firearms, the Qazaqs were in many ways dependent on the urban centers of Central Asia, including the production of gunpowder since they could not produce all its components independently. As a result, in military confrontations with neighboring peoples in the 18th century, the Qazaqs were significantly inferior in the use of firearms because they were severely limited in the production of gunpowder.

여말선초 화약 및 관련기술의 ‘국산화’에 대한 체계적 재구성

Gunpowder technology on the Korean peninsula developed in the wake of cultural exchanges with China, at the end of the Goryeo dynasty period. The Goryeo government, as part of its ongoing effort to address the Waegu(Japanese pirates) crisis and appropriately respond, attempted to import techniques to produce gunpowder through official channels from the Chinese Ming dynasty, but eventually failed as Ming refused to help. Then a Goryeo figure named Choi Mu-seon managed to develop necessary technical skills, through his own research and civilian exchanges.BR The gunpowder technology secured by Choi Mu-seon not only covered the area of production but the entire range of its applications as well. During his stay in Yuan(元) he acquired general knowledge of how to manufacture weapons using gunpowder, how to use those weapons in battle situations, and how to operate them in battles on the sea. Later he also conversed with Chinese technicians and obtained methods to refine niter as it was a crucial part in gunpowder production.BR Choi Mu-seon also proposed to the Goryeo government the establishment of Hwatong Dogam(火㷁都監), as an office to oversee gunpowder production and supervise related technical issues. His intention was to have all the technical expertise he earlier acquired put to good use in the government’s response to the Waegu problem of the time. Considering how the gunpowder manufacturing technique of Goryeo was developed, a group of technicians led by Choi Mu-seon were virtually in almost private (and exclusive) control of the technology, but the government was able to tap into that through a Dogam office, which was part of Goryeo’s unique governmental system.BR Later leaders of the Joseon government, who aspired to establish a centralized government system, dismantled all the Dogam offices including Hwatong Dogam. But the Joseon government also tried to absorb the technology by enlisting Choi Mu-seon’s son Choi Hae-san for governmental service. What ensued was the acquirement of new technology and the establishment of Joseon’s own technical manual for gunpowder production & usage during the reign of King Sejong. A new standard for state technology involving gunpowder was secured, and that meant the complete internalization of the technology as well as its new status as state asset and governmental property.

Features of mental deadaptation formation in powder production workers

Objective. The aim was to assess the impact of production and non-production risk factors on the formation of mental health disorders in chemical workers.&#x0D; Materials and methods. 201 employees of the main and 352 employees of the group of control were examined by a clinical method using a clinical structured psychiatric interview; questionnaires to identify additional non-production risk factors; questionnaire of neurotization. The calculations were carried out in the environment of the statistical system R. For modeling dependencies and calculating probabilities, logistic regression models were built, factor analysis was carried out.&#x0D; Results. The dependence of the formation of prenosological mental disorders in workers on the temporal characteristics, the level of material support and the actual production factors was revealed. The proportion of persons with mental deadaptation MD) in the main group 72.5 %) and the group of control 27.5 %) significantly differ from each other p 0.001).&#x0D; Conclusions. 1. The structure and the actual risk of MD formation among workers in the production of gunpowder is determined by harmful labor factors, depends on economic security, evolves depending on time characteristics. 2. For persons working under the influence of a chemical factor of the production environment in combination with explosive and fire hazardous works, the leading is astheno-vegetative symptomatology in combination with the personality type of conversion reaction. In the first 9 years of experience, general neurotic reactions are observed with a pronounced contribution from all scales, indicating the tension of adaptation mechanisms up to the formation of decompensation. With an increase in the length of time, the reactions are transformed into a conversion type of response according to the somato-vegetative type with a phobic radical and obsessions, and subsequently manifest themselves in relative independence from characterological reactions. 3. The degree of severity of reactions is characterized by variability, significantly overlapping the types of disorders that can be considered in the framework of Other mood disorders F38.0 and F38.1), which does not give grounds to classify them as F30-F34, since they are not sufficiently pronounced and severe.

Пороховое производство допетровской России в отечественной историографии

The article is devoted to the problem of interpreting the initial period of gunpowder production in Russia, namely the period between the emergence of firearms in the country (late 14th century) and the beginning of Peter the Great’s reign (late 17th century) in the native historiography. The urgency of this work is defined by the importance of further examinationof genesis of the military industry in Russia at the initial stages of its development and by the necessity to summarize the accumulated material on this subject researchin the native historiography. The goal of the paper is to paint a holistic picture of the Russian gunpowder industry at the point of its creation and through the first centuries of its development. This goal can be achieved through completing the following research objectives: assembling a complete corpus of Russian studies on the subject from the pre-Revolutionary, Soviet, and post-Soviet period; subjecting these studies to a critical analysis; reviewing the progress of gunpowder production, as well as the production of gunpowder’s main components (saltpeter and sulfur), at different points of the industry’s early history; determining which factors served as the industry’s development drivers; illustrating how the public and private sectors were formed within the industry; pinpointing the impact of external factors on the industry’s emergence and development. Basing our study on the principles of historical accuracy and lack of bias we use such tools as analysis (including retrospective analysis), simulation, historical genesis review and timeline making. As a result of this studyit has been determined that due to the limited availability of research sources there is a lack of the Russian historiographers’ agreed views on many key aspects of the emergence and development of gunpowder and saltpeter production. At the same time, it can be confidently stated the dominant influence of Russian authorityas well as the impact of external factors on the processes of gunpowder productionformation and development in the examined period. The present paper is considered by the author to be the initial one in a series of publications devoted to the analysis of the process of gunpowder production development in the prerevolutionary Russia.

Environmental monitoring of natural waters in the zone of impact of an enterprise producing explosives

Production of explosives, as part of chemical industry, has a significant anthropogenic impact on components of environment. The greatest negative impact due to water requirements of the industry enterprises have on hydrosphere. Generally pollutants of this group of enterprises are nitroesters – one of the most important components of products that determine energy properties of powders. In article considers the need for water quality monitoring of water bodies located in zone of influence of enterprises for contamination with nitroesters, in particular nitroglycerine (1,2,3-trinitrooxypropane). As a rule, such enterprises are located on the largest water bodies. Low solubility of the substance in water determines its risk to aquatic organisms and population. The Kama river was selected as the water object of the research in area of impact of the gunpowder production enterprise on territory of a large industrial and residential agglomeration of Perm. According to the results of environmental monitoring, which consisted in sewage and natural water, a significant excess of maximum permissible concentration of nitroglycerin in natural waters was detected, which is unacceptable for water bodies of the highest fishing category of water consumption. To reduce the anthropogenic impact on the water body, it is proposed to introduce a system for wastewater treatment from the source pollutant by ozonation of industrial wastewater with introduction of an alkaline reagent. The revealed high efficiency of the method of wastewater treatment to the content of nitroester at level of trace concentrations makes it possible to exclude the impact of the enterprise on the watercourse.

El manuscrito de elaboración de pólvora de la Casa del Infantado. Un manual técnico de fines del XV e inicios del XVI

El estudio de la pólvora en la Castilla medieval ha contado hasta el momento con un exiguo conocimiento sobre su proceso de fabricación. Con el presente trabajo se pretende dar a conocer y analizar un manuscrito datado en época de los Reyes Católicos y conservado en el Archivo Histórico de la Nobleza, Casa del Infantado, dedicado a la escopeta. Así como aportar luz sobre los procesos técnicos relacionados, refinado del salitre y el azufre y composición del carbón.

Development of import replacement technology for gunpowder production

This article presented the results of the development of new grades of civil gunpowders, not previously produced at "KGTS», and the results of designing of new hunting and sports gunpowder for the shots of 12, 16, 20 shotgun caliber and for the hunting, sports and service rifles, that both presented at domestic and foreign production. Also, there are presented the results of a theoretical and methodological analysis of previous diversification and conversion, taking into account the need for a better solution of import issues and strategy of its implementation in the conditions of existence of external sanctions and restrictions. The market of foreign powders for small arms has been analyzed and foreign gunpowders have been investigated. The positive and negative aspects of the manufacturing technology of foreign powders and the physicochemical and ballistic characteristics of import powders are revealed. Currently relevant is the question of the transformation of the military-industrial complex in accordance with the needs of economic development and national defense of the country. An important emphasis is placed on solving the problems of import substitution and development of export-oriented technology, in particular powder production as a raw material for resourcing and expanding markets of final products sales.

СМЕТЫ ГЛАВНОГО АРТИЛЛЕРИЙСКОГО УПРАВЛЕНИЯ РОССИЙСКОЙ ИМПЕРИИ КАК ИСТОЧНИК ИНФОРМАЦИИ О ПОДГОТОВКЕ РУССКОЙ АРМИИ К ПЕРВОЙ МИРОВОЙ ВОЙНЕ

The beginning of the 21th century was a difficult historic period for Russia. It was the reorganization of the armed forces of the country that was the primary task after the defeat in the war with Japan. The problem of the military reform in the Russian Empire in the period between the Russian-Japanese War and World War I (1905-1914) was raised both in the Russian and foreign historiography. In spite of such a wide range of issues reviewed in historiography, there are practically no studies in which there was fully considered such a complex of financial documents like Estimates of the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire in 1909-1914. The estimates of the Ministry of War of the Russian Empire are an important historical source and they contain information on the funds which were at the disposal of the Main Departments of the Ministry. This information can be used in the process of studying of the issues related to the funding of transformations of the Russian army on the eve of the First World War. Especially informative in this regard could be the estimates of the Main Artillery Department, for they contain information on financial resources allocated for manufacturing of firearms, cold weapon and rearmament of artillery units. These are important parts of the process of reorganization of the military assets. The author draws the readers’ attention to the estimates of the Main Artillery Department of the Ministry of War: their analysis and structure (within the main paragraphs, presented in the document), a number of conclusions on the main directions of financing: artillery, machine guns, hand guns and cold weapon, production of gunpowder and ammunition, as well as the conclusions in relation to the issue of the reorganization of the armed forces of Russia on the eve of the First World War.

From farm to gun and no way back: Habsburg gunpowder production in the eighteenth century and its impact on agriculture and soil fertility

Understanding the dynamics of society’s physical exchange processes with the environment (society’s metabolism) is a major theme of long-term socioecological research. In this paper, we adapt the concept of socioecological metabolism to analyze the competition between gunpowder production and agriculture for nitrogen (N) in the pre-industrial agro-ecosystem of Pamhagen in the late eighteenth century. Saltpeter (KNO3)—the main ingredient of gunpowder—was chemically refined from agricultural waste products, in particular manure and wood ash, which were vital for the maintenance of soil fertility. In this paper, we reconstruct nitrogen flows in the agro-ecosystem of Pamhagen and establish a nutrient balance, which allows assessing the impact of saltpeter production on agricultural soil fertility management. We find that nitrate extracted by saltpeter production in our case study was equivalent to 23 % of the total available nitrogen in manure in 1778 and 12 % in 1780. The growing demand for gunpowder and thus the artisanal production of saltpeter became influential drivers in the management of societal nitrogen flows on the local level, competing over key resources for sustaining soil fertility and leaving a substantial imprint on the nutrient budget of agricultural soils as less nitrogen was available for plant uptake.

Asientos y asentistas militares en el siglo XVII: el ejemplo del pan y la pólvora

This text approaches the importance of the Asientos inside the expense of the armies that fought in Spain during the 17th century. For it we analyze the management of the supply of bread whose quantity was the most outstanding expense of any army, which was always in private hands. We also analyze the production of gunpowder in Spain, and their transformation in a monopoly in private hands in the form of Asientos Generales.

I went to the urologist and this is what i brought

Historical use of urine varies greatly from the production of gunpowder, as a fertiliser, dyeing wool in the textile industry and wound healing. The ancient Egyptians used to have a pregnant woman urinate on bags of wheat and bags of barley. if wheat sprouted, it was a girl; if barley did, it was a boy; if neither did, there was no pregnancy! However, it was Carl Friedrich Gartner (1772–1850) who towards the end of the 18th century pioneered urine testing at the bedside.

THE OLD DU PONT COMPANY'S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM LASTING A HUNDRED YEARS: AN OVERLOOKED ACCOUNTING SYSTEM

ABSTRACT Accounting historians have not yet realized that there existed another complete accounting system before the formation of the modern accounting system of today which Johnson and Kaplan's Relevance Lost characterizes by the “integration” of cost and financial accounts supported by “inventory costing.” In that earlier accounting system, cost and profit calculations were made in a past particular ledger account or accounts, namely trading account(s), where accounting practices opposed to “inventory costing” and “integration” were used. The historical existence of that accounting system is overlooked by accounting historians. The example of the old Du Pont Company (DPC) this paper presents will bring it to light. Cost and profit calculation were made in four trading accounts in the double-entry ledger at the old DPC as it was purchased by the new DPC in 1902. One of its trading accounts dated back to 1804 when the old DPC started production of gunpowder. Early cost and profit calculations in that trading account were examined by the new DPC's staff in the early 1940s. They prepared schedules showing the cost data, sales revenues, and profit measurement recorded in the early trading account. These schedules give evidence that the old DPC recorded the costs incurred and used the cost data to compute profit for financial accounting purposes, but in different ways from today's “inventory costing” and “integration.” This old DPC's accounting system resulted from the application of the double-entry system to industrial accounting and was in use throughout the nineteenth century. By revealing the historical existence of that overlooked accounting system, this paper will show that accounting history may be described as evolution of the traditional accounting system made through double-entry bookkeeping in which the trading account was of vital importance and the transition from that traditional accounting system to the modern integrated accounting system supported by inventory costing.

Iodine pleurodesis—a word of caution†

We read with interest the article by Mohsen et al .[ 1] and the associated editorial by Astoul [2] concerning a randomized trial comparing povidone–iodine and talc poudrage pleurodesis for malignant pleural effusions. In their conclusion, intra-pleural iodine was found to have a good safety profile except for the occasional report of visual loss after local application. Nevertheless, we would like to share with the readers our experience of another hidden danger of iodine. Iodine was first discovered by a Frenchman Bernard Courtois in 1811 while processing seaweed washed up on the coast of Normandy for the production of gunpowder during the Napoleonic Wars. Since then, it has become indispensible as a nutritional supplement, disinfectant and medical radiological isotope. In our unit, povidone–iodine is widely used as a surgical skin disinfectant and for management of infected surgical wounds. We were first alerted of the potential danger when we encountered a dialysis-dependent renal failure patient with clinical manifestation of systemic iodine toxicity after irrigation of infected mediastinal wound with povidone–iodine solution [3]. Subsequently, we conducted a prospective study on systemic iodine absorption following a single application of povidone– iodine to the sternal wound prior to closure in patients undergoing routine cardiac surgery [4]. In a cohort of 40 patients, we found an average 3-fold increase in post-operative serum iodine levels in all patients compared with pre-operative baseline. Furthermore, the difference was significantly greater in patients with impaired renal function when compared with normal renal function, 4.3 versus 2.2 mol/l, respectively (p= 0.03). The iodine toxicity manifested as post-operative delirium in four patients with serum iodine levels ranging from 7.39 to 15.13 mol/l. One patient had visual hallucinations lasting for 48 h, and three patients had cognitive impairment which lasted for 36 h. Iodine clearance in humans is solely dependent on renal excretion which is directly related to the glomerular filtration rate. Therefore, individuals with renal impairment have prolonged iodine excretion, making them more susceptible to iodine toxicity. Previously, lethal cases have been reported when serum iodine levels reached above 553 mol/l, and even at lower serum levels between 32 and 55 mol/l, patients can develop reversible altered mental status and seizures [5, 6]. Our data suggested that a single application of povidone–iodine to subcutaneous tissue can cause a significant increase in post-operative serum iodine levels and possible altered mental status in susceptible individuals. Interestingly, Mohsen et al .[ 1] proposed that patients with malignant pleural effusion might have impaired pleural absorption and hence lower the chance of systemic iodine toxicity. Future studies on povidone–iodine pleurodesis should measure serum iodine levels in order to ascertain the degree of pleural iodine absorption. At exactly 200 years following the discovery of iodine, our experience serves as a poignant reminder that significant iodine absorption and toxicity can occur when povidone–iodine is used within body cavities, particularly in those with renal impairment. The quest for the Holy Grail must continue!

Evaluation of Bladder Carcinoma Risk of the Workers Exposed to Industrial Chemicals

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the ratios of bladder carcinoma of workers exposed to industrial chemicals in Kýrýkkale, Turkey by urinary cytology method. METHOD: Urinary cytology preparations for a total of 63 workers in the gun powder production plant was prepared using Papanicolaou staining and evaluated by light microscopy. The relationship between Papanicolaou staining results and workers’ exposure time to chemicals was evaluated statistically by Post Hoc Test method. RESULTS: For the cytological diagnoses of voided urine in all 63 workers, 16 workers as control group had negative cytologic findings. 47 workers exposed to industrial chemicals more than 20 years had two metaplasic and two dysplasic cells in their urine cytology samples. Moreover, a worker exposed to industrial chemicals more than 30 years had urothelial carcinoma cells. CONCLUSÝON: That the workers’ risk of developing bladder carcinoma increases with their exposure time to chemicals in their work environment has been found statistically significant (p

Civil War Arkansas: Beyond Battles and Leaders (review)

Anne J. Bailey and Daniel E. Sutherland are to be commended for compiling this collection of essays about lesser known aspects of the Civil War in Arkansas. Readers of the Arkansas Historical Quarterly, the publication of the Arkansas [End Page 349] Historical Association, will recognize most of these articles from past issues. However, for anyone not familiar with that journal, this volume will indeed be a treasure. As the title implies, the subjects of these writings avoid the major battles and leaders to discuss such topics as guerrilla warfare, the wartime image of Arkansas, the production of gunpowder, the Federal experiments with plantation management and military farm colonies, and atrocities against black soldiers fighting in the state. Overall, this book is a welcome addition to the limited but growing record of the Civil War in Arkansas and the trans-Mississippi.