Article#1: Extraction of Potassium Nitrate from soil
Potassium nitrate can be extracted from many natural sources and can be
used to make nitric acid, black powder, and many pyrotechnics. The yield ranges
from.1 to 10% by weight, depending on the fertility of the soil.
Materials Source
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Nitrate bearing earth or other Soil contaying decaying animal or vegetable
material, about 3-1/2 gallons. matter.
Fine wood ashes, 1/2 cup. Totally burned wood products.
5gallonbucket
2 pieces of finely woven cloth,
each slightly larger than the
bottom of the bucket.
Shallow pan or dish at least as
large as bottom of bucket.
Shallow heat resistant container
ceramic or metal.
Water,1-3/4 gallons.
Awl, knife screwdriver or other
hole producing instrument.
Alcohol (ethyl or isopropyl)
1 gallon
Heat source, fire, stove.
paper
Tape
Procedure
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1 Punch holes in the bottom of the bucket so that the entire surface is covered
with them.
2 Place cloth flat on bottom of bucket.
Spread ashes on cloth.
Place second piece of cloth on top of ashes
3 Fill bucket with earth.
4 Place bucket over shallow container. Support bucket with sticks if necessary.
5 Boil water and pour it over earth in bucket a little at a
time. Allow water to run through holes in bucket into shallow container. Be sure
water runs through all of the earth. Allow liquid to cool and settle for 1 to 2
hours.
6 Carefully drain liquid into heat resistant container. Discard sludge at
bottom of shallow container.
7 Boil mixture over hot fire for at least 2 hours. Small grains of salt will
appear in the solution. Scoop these out as they form and discard.
8 When liquid has boiled down to about half of its original volume, remove from
fire and let sit. After half hour add an equal volume of alcohol.
9 Make an improvised strainer out of paper tape and bucket. Tape paper so that
it covers the top of a clean bucket.
10 Pour mixture through paper strainer. Small white salt crystals will collect
on top of it. These are potassium nitrate.
11 To purify the potassium nitrate, re-dissolve the dry crystals in the
smallest amount possible of boiled water (make sure they all dissolve). Remove
any salt crystals that appear (step 7) pour through an improvised filter made of
several pieces of paper and evaporate or gently heat solution to dryness.
12 Spread crystals on plat surface and allow to dry. The potassium nitrate
crystals are now ready to use.
This method was tested, it is effective. Large quantities (1 to 2 pounds) of
potassium nitrate can be obtained this way! But be careful, and use common sense
when making pyrotechnics. I am not responsible for what you do with this
information.
NEVER STORE IT AND BE CARFUL WHEN YOU'RE AROUND IT- SOUND, AIR MOVEMENTS, AND
OTHER TINY THINGS COULD SET IT OFF.
