Nitrocellulose Propellant Pre-Shaping and Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for producing nitrocellulose-based propellants are complex, labor-intensive, and costly, requiring multiple processing steps and separate operations, which fail to produce propellants with consistent particle sizes and shapes that exhibit complete stabilization and long shelf life.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the nitrating and stabilizing of pre-shaped cellulose particles using a series of boiling regimens, including acid, neutral, and alkaline boiling, to produce nitrocellulose particles with predetermined shapes and sizes that maintain their integrity and exhibit complete nitration and stabilization, reducing processing steps and costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional separate NC production process and propellant production process are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the NC production process and propellant production process into a single integrated process. Cellulose material is nitrated to form NC, and then propellant ingredients are added in the same continuous process, eliminating the need for separate production stages and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nitration process is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it produces nitrocellulose, allows for ingredient incorporation, and enables propellant formation in one operation. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of separate processing steps and equipment needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If traditional NC production process with multiple steps is used, then nitrogen substitution range is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenitrogen substitutionVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary shaping of cellulose material into desired propellant forms before nitration. This allows the NC to be nitrated while already in the final shape, eliminating subsequent shaping steps and reducing production time while maintaining control over nitrogen substitution levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The process maintains continuous operation where cellulose is nitrated and propellant is formed in an uninterrupted sequence. Ingredients are added continuously during the nitration process, and the product is formed without interruption, maximizing productivity while ensuring consistent nitrogen substitution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If pre-shaped cellulose particles are used as starting material, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle size consistencyVSAvoidprocessing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Cellulose material is pre-shaped into the desired propellant form before nitration. This preliminary shaping ensures that the final NC product has consistent particle size and shape without requiring additional processing steps, improving manufacturing precision while the pre-shaping can be done using standard equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method results in nitrocellulose propellants with complete stabilization, high nitrogen substitution, and extended shelf life, suitable for the small arms industry, while simplifying the production process and reducing costs by consolidating steps and utilizing a wide range of starting materials.

Implementation Method 1

stabilizing the pre-shaped particles using a series of boiling regimens, including acid, neutral, and alkaline boiling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBoiling: Boiling

Implementation Method 2

including acid, neutral, and alkaline boiling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid-base neutralization:

Implementation Method 3

nitrating and stabilizing pre-shaped starting material... nitrating the particles to form nitrocellulose particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNitration:

Data Source

PatentUS10801819B1Methods of preparing nitrocellulose based propellants and propellants made therefrom

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORP

AI summary

Methods of preparing propellant compositions for power loads and firearms that include providing pre-shaped particle sized starting material, shaped consistent with a desired final propellant product shape, and thereafter nitrating and stabilizing the pre-shaped starting material using boiling stabilization processes. The resulting nitrated propellants of the methods reliably exhibit complete stabilization, high nitrogen substitution, high shelf life and acceptable ballistic performance.