Nitroglycerine - The Saga in India: We Still Need Fostering It
Abstract
Nitroglycerine is well identified with the code letters NG in the propellants and explosives circle. Even after handling exactly one and a half century since its discovery by Ascanis Sobero in 1846, pronouncing the letters NG, even now gives Nitroglycerine a place of pride and untouchability. Nitro glycerine -- a highly sensitive explosive in liquid form -- denied its use for about a quarter of century till the ever remembered great human being Sir Alfred Nobel put that in the usable form of Dynamite in 1867. NG is one among the largely produced explosives such as Nitro Cellulose, Ammonium Nitrate and TNT (Tri Nitro Toluene). The Nitro Cellulose has become comfortably handled explosives/non-explosive. Ammonium Nitrate turned a handy explosive cum Fertiliser. The TNT sounds as a chemical rather than explosive. But NG even now demands a lot of attention and caution in its manufacture. NG has never allowed its transport naked and evades even now carrying over long distances even in its administered forms such as absorbed in Kieselgurh or dissolved in solvents (not ordinarily seen) due to its high sensitivity, to friction and impact. Due to its chemical and explosive hazards or simply due to its problems in handling, it is being slowly phased out especially in mining activities. However its use in propellants still continues and its manufacture and handling has to continue in spite of its hazards. A number of improvements(?) in the process and changes in technologies have been adopted over the years, to improve the safety. Even now causes are not eliminated altogether and accidents do occur with loss of life, causing concern for the producer and the humanity. When we are still to produce and use it in spite of its processing hazards, the right direction towards safety is to make the effects of the accidents insignificant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA498794
Entities
People
- A. Bojan
Organizations
- Ministry of Defense