On-demand lead azide production

US7407638B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army · US

Inventors

• Andrew Perich · Vernon, US
• Emily A. Cordaro · Kearny, US
• Gartung Cheng · Metuchen, US
• Neha Mehta · Sunny Sky Lane Southwest, US
• Daniel Stec, III · Mount Clemens, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2005
• Grant date: Aug 5, 2008
• Expiry date: Jun 30, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B21/08
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The present invention discloses a process for the on-demand production of small quantities of lead azide. First, a metered quantity of sodium azide solution and a metered quantity of a solution of a lead salt sufficient to react with the sodium azide are introduced into a T-mixer or Y-mixer. Then, the sodium azide and lead salt solutions are conveyed into a static mixer and the azide and lead compounds are permitted to react together, forming insoluble crystals of lead azide as a slurry in an aqueous medium. The lead azide crystals are then separated from the aqueous medium. The process is carried out within an explosion-proof chamber.