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Specialty Chemistry Forums => Citizen Chemist => Topic started by: sprotz on October 02, 2019, 06:50:47 AM

Title: A faster way to make saltpeter
Post by: sprotz on October 02, 2019, 06:50:47 AM

There is no information on the internet about a faster way of making saltpeter (potassium nitrate). The typical way of making saltpeter is by using a nitre bed which takes months. But then I thought of a faster way which involves catalytic oxidation of ammonia to form nitrous oxide, and dissolving that in water to form nitric acid. Then mixing the nitric acid with lye to form saltpeter. Is this method vaible?

Title: Re: A faster way to make saltpeter
Post by: Borek on October 02, 2019, 06:48:57 PM

Quote from: sprotz on October 02, 2019, 06:50:47 AM

Is this method vaible?

More or less. Combination of Haber and Ostwald processes is the basis of the industrial scale nitric acid production.

Title: Re: A faster way to make saltpeter
Post by: billnotgatez on October 03, 2019, 09:03:34 PM

@sprotz
Have you read the WIKI on Potassium_nitrate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_nitrate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_nitrate)

Title: Re: A faster way to make saltpeter
Post by: billnotgatez on October 04, 2019, 09:49:33 AM

From the forum rules

Quote

We have nothing against a reasonable scientific discussion of the properties of drugs and explosives, but we will not help you hurt yourself making them. If you you think your question might cross the line, feel free to send a private message to one of our moderators asking if the questions is acceptable. Note that even if the question is acceptable, discussion may take such a direction we will decide to close the thread. Due to their potential health hazards, we will also not help you prepare your own medicines or cosmetics.

So let us keep the discussion theoretical