Emissions and Fire Risk Assessment of Nitrocellulose as a Sustainable Alternative in Pyrotechnic Compositions
David León,
Isabel Amez,
Miloš Radojević,
Nebojša Manić,
Dragoslava Stojiljković,
Aleksandar Milivojević,
Javier García-Torrent,
Blanca Castells
Affiliations
David León
Department of Energy and Fuels, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Isabel Amez
Department of Energy and Fuels, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Miloš Radojević
Fuel and Combustion Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Kraljice Marije 16, P.O. Box 35, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
Nebojša Manić
Fuel and Combustion Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Kraljice Marije 16, P.O. Box 35, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
Dragoslava Stojiljković
Fuel and Combustion Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Kraljice Marije 16, P.O. Box 35, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
Aleksandar Milivojević
Fuel and Combustion Laboratory, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade, Kraljice Marije 16, P.O. Box 35, 11120 Belgrade, Serbia
Javier García-Torrent
Department of Energy and Fuels, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003 Madrid, Spain
Blanca Castells
Department of Energy and Fuels, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingenieros de Minas y Energía, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Ríos Rosas 21, 28003 Madrid, Spain
The use of fireworks as a sign of celebration is a common practice in many countries. During the last few years, this sector has been subjected to various social criticisms that have even led to a ban on their use in different places. One of the main causes is the environmental pollution they generate, due to emissions from combustion reactions associated with the use of pyrotechnic devices. Nitrate ester-based compounds as propellants are used in other solid rockets such as ammunition, but their use in pyrotechnics is currently limited to a small number of fireworks. This research analyses the substitution of black powder with nitrocellulose ([C6H7(NO2)3O5]n) as a propellant for aerial articles, as well as to the use of nitrocellulose as a perchlorate-free compound. In addition to achieving better clarity effects due to less smoke, the use of nitrocellulose reduces greenhouse gas emissions. However, this nitrogen-rich compound is more unstable, and the ignition sensitivity is higher. Therefore, the benefits and risks associated with this alternative compound need to be evaluated, but the evidence shown suggests a promising direction for the sustainable evolution of pyrotechnic compositions.
