Black Powder: A Thousand Years of Evolution from Alchemy to Space Fuel – An Analysis of the Cornerstones of the Modern Fireworks Industry

Black Powder: A Thousand Years of Evolution from Alchemy to Space Fuel - An Analysis of the Cornerstones of the Modern Fireworks Industry

Chapter 1: The Historical Trace of Black Powder

1.1 Accidental Discovery in Chinese Alchemy (Recorded in 808 A.D. in the Secret of the Golden Elixir of Taishang Shengzu)
1.2 Turning point of militarised application in the Song Dynasty (Comparison of the three gunpowder ratios in the General Principles of Martial Arts)
1.3 The Gunpowder Revolution in Europe Triggered by the Mongol Western Expedition (The Path of Technological Dissemination of the Arabian Codex in 1280)
1.4 Improvement of ancient formulae by modern fireworks industry (Breakthrough of potassium nitrate purification technology in 1950s)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Black Powder: A Thousand Years of Evolution from Alchemy to Space Fuel - An Explanation of the Cornerstones of the Modern Fireworks Industry

Chapter 2: Basic Chemical Principles

2.1 Redox reaction equation disassembly (4KNO₃+S+6C→3K₂S+K₂CO₃+5CO₂↑+2N₂↑)
2.2 Functional analysis of the three main components:
- Potassium nitrate: oxidant purity standard (≥99.8%)
- Sulphur: bonding and reduce the burning speed role (particle size 150-200 mesh screening requirements)
- Charcoal: reducing agent carbon chain structure differences (willow charcoal vs pine charcoal burning speed comparison)
2.3 Thermodynamic parameters:
- Burst temperature calculation (about 2570K theoretical value)
- Gas generation (280-300L/kg experimental data)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Chapter 3: Raw material preparation process

3.1 Potassium nitrate purification five-step method (recrystallisation method operating points and impurity control)
3.2 Sulfur crushing and grinding specifications (the need for anti-static workshop humidity ≥ 65%)
3.3 Charcoal firing technique:
- Traditional smothering kiln method (72 hours temperature control curve diagram)
- Parameters of modern pyrolytic charring equipment (600℃±10℃ accurate temperature control)
3.4 Taboos for raw material storage (specific implementation standards of three materials separate storage / moisture / light avoidance)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Chapter 4: Evolution of the formulation process

4.1 Ancient "three flavours in one" manual grinding (Ming Dynasty "fire attack essentials" recorded in the "light, soft, uniform" key)
4.2 Ball mill mechanised production (stainless steel ball diameter 3mm crushing efficiency optimisation)
4.3 Key process control points:
- Effect of mixing sequence on combustion speed (experimental comparison of sulphur-carbon followed by nitrate)
- Water content control (1.5%-2.0% humidity detection method)
- Dust explosion prevention (technical parameters of inert gas protection system)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Chapter 5: Safety normative system

5.1 Interpretation of Chinese GB10631-2013 standard (six indicators for drug sensitivity testing)
5.2 EU EN 15947:2015 Certification Requirements (Testing Process for Friction Sensitivity ≤ 8N)
5.3 Accident case analysis:
- 2016 static-induced combustion accident in a Jiangxi plant (lessons learnt from the failure of humidity monitoring system)
- Ball mill overheating explosion in a German plant in 2020 (cooling system design flaws review)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Chapter 6: Modern Application Scenarios

6.1 Fireworks Propellant Formulation Design (Matching the Energy Gradient of Pod Charge and Effect Charge)
6.2 Film and Television Effects Pyrotechnic Improvement Programme (Sodium Bicarbonate Addition Ratio for Reduced Residue)
6.3 Space Launcher Extension Devices (Application of Black Powder in Chang'e V Escape System)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Chapter 7: Legal and Ethical Boundaries

7.1 Core Provisions of China's Civil Explosives Safety Management Regulations
7.2 Criminal Risks of Home-based Production (Judicial Interpretation of Article 125 of the Criminal Law)
7.3 Qualification system for professional and technical personnel (Guide to obtaining the fireworks pharmacist's operating licence)This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Supporting safety warning module

▶ Red warning bar inserted at the end of each chapter:
"WARNING: The processes described in this chapter involve high-risk chemical operations and must be carried out in a Class A explosion-proof workshop by licensed professionals."This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

▶ A floating alert box is set on the first page of the topic:
"This topic is for reference only for the study of the history of science and technology, and any form of experimental reproduction is strictly prohibited".This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/

Suggestions for Content Expansion

Subsequent additions can be made:
- Experimental Report on Testing the Burning Speed of Black Powder in Different Ratios
- Tutorial on Visualisation of Electrostatic Accumulation Simulation Experiments of Pyrotechnic Smoke and Gunpowder
- White Paper on Global Black Powder Trade Flows and Regulatory Policies.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/black-powder-a-thousand-years-of-evolution-from-alchemy-to-space-fuel-an-analysis-of-the-cornerstones-of-the-modern-fireworks-industry/