Nitric Acid Manufacture
by 6C
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Nitric acid is used in the preparation of many explosives, inincendiary mixtures, and acid delay timers. It may be prepared by distilling a mixture of patasium nitrate and concentrated sulfuric acid.
| Material Required | Sources |
| Potassium Nitrate (two parts by volume) | Drug store
Improvised (Section I No.2) |
| Concentrated sulfuric acid (1 part by volume) | Motor vehicle
batteries
Industrial plants. |
| Two bottles or ceramic jugs (narrow necks are preferable) | |
| Pot or frying pan. | |
| Heat source (wood, coal, or charcoal) | |
Tape (paper, electrical, masking, etc.
But not cellophane!)) | |
| Paper or rags. | | |
IMPORTANT: If sulfuric acid is obtained from motor vehicle battery, concentrate it by boiling until white fumes appear. DO NOT INHALE FUMES.
NOTE: The amount of nitric acid produced is the same as the amount of potassium nitrate. Thus, for two tablespoons of nitric acid, use two table spoons of potassium nitrate and one tablespoonsful of concentrated sulfuric acid.
Procedure:
1. Place dry potassium nitrate in bottle or jug. Add sulfuric acid. Do not fill bottle more than 1/4 full. Mix until paste is formed.
CAUTION: Sulfuric acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it away with large quantities of water. Fumes are also dangerous and should not be inhaled.
2. Wrap paper or rags around necks of two bottles. Secure tape necks of bottles together. Be sure bottles are flush against each other and that there is no airspaces.
3. Support bottles on rocks or cans so that empty bottle is slightly lower than bottle containing paste so that nitric acid that is formed in receiving bottle will not run into other bottle.
4. Build fire in pot or frying pan.
5. Gently heat bottle containing mixture by moving fire in and out. As red fumes begin to appear periodically pour cool water over empty receiving bottle. Nitric acid will begin to form in the receiving bottle.
CAUTION: Do not overheat or wet bottle containing mixture or it may shatter. As an added precaution, place bottle to be heated in heat resistant container filled with sand or gravel. Heat this outter container to porduce nitric acid.
6. Continue the above process until no more red fumes are formed. If the nitric acid formed in the receiving bottle is not clear (cloudy) pour it into cleaned bottle and repeat steps
2-6.
CAUTION: Nitric acid will burn skin and destroy clothing. If any is spilled, wash it away with a large quantity of water. Fumes are also dangerous and should not be inhaled.
Nitric acid should be kept away from all combustibles and should be kept in a sealed ceramic or glass container.
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