Perchlorate-Free Nitrocellulose Pyrotechnic Composition for Low-Smoke Colored Flames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fireworks generate environmental concerns due to perchlorate contamination and excessive smoke, and high-nitrogen, low-carbon content energetic materials required for low-smoke compositions are not readily available and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A chlorine-containing pyrotechnic composition is developed, comprising 85-95 wt% nitrocellulose derived from fibrous material partially dissolved in organic solvents, with a colourant and oxidator, which is perchlorate-free and has high extrudability and controlled burning rate, producing attractive color patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional metal salts and perchlorate are used to generate colored flames, then the desired color effect is achieved, but environmental contamination and excessive smoke generation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing perchlorate oxidizers with nitrate-based oxidizers and using high-nitrogen content nitrocellulose (12-13.5 wt% nitrogen) as fuel. This parameter change eliminates perchlorate contamination while the high nitrogen content of nitrocellulose ensures low smoke generation through more complete combustion, resolving the environmental harm issue while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nitrocellulose, a readily available and cost-effective material that can be easily processed and disposed of without environmental persistence concerns. This replaces expensive, specially synthesized high-nitrogen energetic materials while achieving the same low-smoke effect, making the solution both economically viable and environmentally friendly
2Object-affected harmful factors
If high-nitrogen, low-carbon content energetic materials are used to reduce smoke, then smoke generation is reduced, but the materials are not readily available and are costly to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive, difficult-to-obtain high-nitrogen energetic materials with nitrocellulose, a commodity chemical produced in large quantities for legitimate industrial applications. Nitrocellulose with 12-13.5 wt% nitrogen content provides the necessary high-nitrogen, low-carbon composition for low-smoke combustion while being readily available and economically viable, eliminating the availability and cost problems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes nitrocellulose's multiple functions: it serves as both the fuel source and the binding agent in the pyrotechnic composition. This dual functionality eliminates the need for separate binder components and simplifies manufacturing, making the high-nitrogen material requirement economically and practically achievable through a single widely-available material
3Power
If perchlorate is used as an oxidizer in fireworks compositions, then the desired combustion performance is achieved, but perchlorate contamination of drinking water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes perchlorate from the pyrotechnic composition entirely, replacing it with nitrate-based oxidizers (such as potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, or barium nitrate). This extraction eliminates the source of perchlorate contamination in drinking water while the nitrate oxidizers maintain the necessary combustion performance through alternative oxidation chemistry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of using strong oxidizers by selecting nitrate-based oxidizers that decompose into benign products (nitrogen gas, water, and metal oxides) rather than persistent environmental contaminants. The oxidizer replacement maintains combustion performance while transforming the chemical outcome from harmful to environmentally benign
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 composition significantly reduces smoke generation, eliminates perchlorate contamination, and is cost-effective, utilizing widely available materials while maintaining performance and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a nitrocellulose which is derived from a fibrous nitrocellulose starting material that has partially been dissolved during the process of preparing the pyrotechnic composition
Implementation Method 2
A low-smoke pyrotechnic composition for producing colored flames
Implementation Method 3
producing colored flames
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a chlorine-containing pyrotechnic composition which is substantially free of perchlorate which composition comprises a nitrocellulose which is derived from a fibrous nitrocellulose starting material that has at least partially been dissolved during the process of preparing the pyrotechnic composition, and a colourant. The invention further provides a firework article comprising said pyrotechnic composition, and a method for preparing the same.