Nitric Acid from Air.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 41, 29 May 1917, Page 2

Nitric Acid from Air.

All the explosives used in war are formed from such apparently harmless bodies as cotton, glycerine, and tar products, by treating them with nitric acid, the strength of which has to be maintained by admixture with sulphuric acid. Until quite lately the nitric acid essential for the production of the explosives now in use could he made only by distilling such nitrates as those of potassium and sodium with sulphuric acid, and if we had still been dependent on this source, all the Powers engaged in the European War would have been stalemated by want of explosives, so enor-

mous has been the amount of acid used. During the last few years, however, methods have been discovered for making nitric acid from the air, and at the present time, wherever cheap water-power can be obtained for the generating of electricity, the acid is being produced in sufficient quantities to make up the necessary amount.