INTRODUCTION TO

EXPLOSIVE TNT
Types of Energetic Materials
Unconfined, referred to as Propellants
Confined, referred to as Low Explosives
Explosives
Primary
Secondary
Cap Sensitive
Blasting Agent
Types of Explosions
1. Mechanical
2. Chemical
3. Nuclear
Explosive Properties
Pressure
Positive Pressure
Short Duration
High Pressure Peaks
Out from Seat of
Blast
Negative Pressure
Long Duration
Low Pressure
Difference
In Towards Seat of
Blast
Explosives Characteristics
Density
Weight per unit volume
Brisance
Shattering Power
Velocity of Detonation
Speed of reaction
Sensitivity
Ease of initiation from Impact, Friction or Blasting
Cap

Propellants
Pyrodex
History
Subsitute for Black Powder
Equal on Volume Basis
Less Corrosive
Formulation
Perchlorate Based formulation
Use
Small arms
Equivalent sizes to Black Powder and in Pellet
form
Propellants
Smokeless Powders
History
Single Base developed in 1884
Double Base (Ballistite) developed in 1886.
Double Base (Cordite) developed in 1888.
Developed to replace Black Powder
Used as propellant for ammunition from
small arms to cannon
Pure Explosive Compounds
Organics
Carbon/Hydrogen
Bonds form basis of
molecule
Inorganics
Do NOT have
hydrocarbons
forming structure of
molecule.
Usually ionic acids or
bases, or salts
Usually primary
explosives
Pure Explosives Compounds
Organics
Aromatic
Monosubstituted
Trinitrobenzenes (TNBs)
TNT
TNB
Tetryl
Picric Acid
Polysubstituted TNBs
Trinitroresorcinol
Lead Styphnate
TATB

Aliphatic
Nitrate Esters
Nitroglycerine
Ethylene Glycol
Dinitrate (EGDN)
Pentaerythritol
Tetranitrate (PETN)
Methyl Nitrate
Nitramines
Cyclonite or RDX
Octogen (HMX)
TRINITROTOLUENE
Short charakteristic
Trinitrotoluene (TNT, Tritol)
pale yellow crystalline
aromatic hydrocarbon
compound
is an explosive chemical and
a part of many explosive
mixtures
IUPAC name 2,4,6-
trinitromethylbenzene
History of TNT
first made in 1863 by a
German chemist Joseph
Wilbrand
its potential was not seen
for several years, mainly
because it was so hard to
detonate and because it
was less powerful than
other explosives
The German armed
forces adopted it as an
artillery shell filling in
1902
TNT in the war
A particular advantage that it gave the
German Navy in the First World War
was that their TNT-filled armour
piercing shells would detonate after
they had penetrated the armour of
British capital ships
Preparation
The synthesis is done in a
stepwise procedure
First toluene is nitrated with
a mixture of sulfuric and
nitric acid
Even lower concentrated
acid mixtures are capable
of doing the first and
second introduction of a
nitrogroup
The nitrogroups decrease the
reactivity of the toluene
drastically, because they are
electron withdrawing groups
After separation the mono-
and dinitrotoluene is fully
nitrated with a mixture of
nitric acid and oleum
this mixture is far more
reactive
Toxicity of TNT
TNT is quite toxic.
It can also be absorbed through the skin
It will cause irritation and bright yellow
staining
who handled the chemical found that their
skin turned bright yellow and ginger hair
would turn green

People who are exposed to TNT over a prolonged
period tend to experience anemia and abnormal
liver functions.
Blood and liver effects, spleen enlargement and
other harmful effects on the immune system have
also been found in animals that ingested or
breathed trinitrotoluene.
There is evidence that TNT adversely affects male
fertility, and TNT is listed as a possible human
carcinogen. Consumption of TNT produces black
urine.
What happens to TNT when it enters
the environment?
TNT enters the environment in waste waters and solid
wastes resulting from the manufacture of the
compound, the processing and destruction of bombs
and grenades, and the recycling of explosives.
It moves in surface water and through soils to ground-
water.
In surface water, it is rapidly broken down into other
chemical compounds by sunlight.
It is broken down more slowly by micro organisms in
water and sediment.
Small amounts of it can accumulate in fish and plants.

TNT Chemistry the problem
Nitration of toluene gives TNT AND OTHER STUFF
95% crude yield of organics
5-10% not 246TNT (mostly 3-isomer derivatives)
TNT purity of ca. 99.5% is required
Where has the 5% gone?
How do your remove the 5-10% from the crude
product?
What do you do with 5-10%?
Approximately 1M lb year!
What do you do with nitration medium
Acid Treatment
New Acid Treatment was essential for
any restart of our TNT facilities
SCCO2 extraction fits well with
existing process
Can be used for different processes
with no modification
Demonstrated partition coefficient and
obtained IP
PREVENTION
NO open flames, NO
sparks, and NO
smoking.

Do NOT expose to
friction or shock. Do
not expose to heat.

Thank you for your attention