MUNROE-HOWELL— PRODUCTS OF DETONATION OF TNT. 203 



gages showed their volumes to be 15.3 and 20.6 liters respectively 

 and these latter volumes are made use of here in ascertaining the 

 loading or charging density. It is to be noted that the pressure in the 

 gage is reduced to 50 d= 5 millimeters before the explosive is fired. 



Unless otherwise stated a No. 8 electric detonator, containing in 

 its copper capsule 2 grams of composition consisting of mercuric 

 fulminate 80 per cent, and potassium chlorate 20 per cent., was used 

 to detonate each charge of TNT. 



As before stated the explosive used was Grade I TNT prepared 

 for the Ordnance Department of the U. S. Army. The material 

 was received in bulk and in preparing it for the gage the weighed 

 charge was packed in a tinfoil wrapper. This tinfoil varied in 

 weight from 1.5 grams on the 25 gram charge to 9 grams for the 

 400 gram charge of TNT. 



The pressure of the permanent gases in the gage was measured 

 on a calibrated Schaefifer and Buddenberg gage 5 minutes after 

 firing the shot, and a differential sample of the gases drawn oi¥ over 

 mercury for analysis one half hour after firing the shot, the tem- 

 perature of the gage and the gases being read at the same time. 



In those tests where a charge of 250 grams or more was used, 

 the pressure of the gases was greater than the capacity of the 

 Schaefifer and Buddenberg gage. Accordingly, in order to be able 

 to make a reading, immediately after firing the shot, the gases were 

 allowed to equalize in pressure between the 15-liter gage and a 20- 

 liter gage previously evacuated at 50 millimeter pressure, connected 

 together for that purpose. The observed pressure reading in those 

 tests is the pressure obtained in the two gages after equalization. 



The gases were analyzed in the Burrell modification of the Orsat 

 apparatus described as to its construction and operation by Burrell 

 and OberfalP' being determined in the order CO„, O, CO, H, CH^ 

 and N, and the results of the analyses are presented as determined 

 in percentages by volume. 



12 "The Use of Copper Oxide for Fractionation Combustion of Hydrogen 

 and Carbon Monoxide in Gas Mixtures," G. A. Burrell and G. G. Oberfall. 

 Jour. Ind. Eng. Chem., 8, 228-31. 1916. 



