Development of technology for obtaining nitrocellulose from sea grass

Abstract

Introduction Coastal deposits of sea grass along the coastlines of the Black and Azov Seas deteriorate the appearance of beaches and complicate access to water. Large accumulations require constant removal from beach areas and further disposal. One direction for such disposal could be the utilization of sea grass deposits for obtaining cellulose and its chemical processing products, particularly nitrocellulose, which is in high demand in modern industry. The existing problem of raw material supply for the production of demanded grades of nitrocellulose by industry requires the search for new raw material sources for their extraction. Traditionally, nitrocellulose is obtained from cotton cellulose, the cultivation of which requires significant resources. In addition to cotton, wood is also used for nitrocellulose production, leading to deforestation and environmental harm. Currently, cotton is an expensive imported raw material, and wood pulp production has reached a critical level. One of the non-traditional sources of raw materials is sea grass. It is a renewable resource that does not require large areas for cultivation, grows in large quantities, does not compete with food crops, and has a sufficient amount of cellulose, which is the basis for nitrocellulose production. The use of sea grass in the chemical industry for nitrocellulose production is a relevant research direction due to the deepening environmental pollution issues and the search for alternative, environmentally friendly sources of raw materials. The conditions of war require an increase in Ukraine's defense capabilities, but the absence of ammunition and domestic weapons production complicates the situation. Domestic production of ammunition, including gunpowder, can significantly increase the potential of the army. The aim of the work is to develop the technology of using Zostera marinova grass as an alternative raw material for obtaining nitrocellulose.