Chemical Process Expertise
The defence and energetic-materials industry relies on demanding chemical processes where nitration, acid recovery, NOx treatment and thermal control are critical. These processes are essential for the safe and controlled production of TNT, nitroglycerine (NG), NGEL, nitrocellulose, and various propellant formulations.
During TNT, NG or propellant production, large volumes of nitric, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids must be handled safely and recycled at high purity. Efficient acid recovery systems, robust off-gas NOx treatment, and corrosion-resistant equipment are fundamental to stable plant performance and long-term reliability.
Engineering & Equipment for Nitration and Acid Recovery
De Dietrich provides complete solutions for the chemical steps that support energetic-material manufacturing. With decades of experience in corrosive environments, we design and deliver package solutions, including nitration blocks, acid concentration and recovery systems, NOx treatment units, purification sections and downstream separation.
Our portfolio includes glass-lined reactors, borosilicate glass systems, filter-dryers, centrifuges, evaporators, scrubbers, and high-efficiency acid recovery plants capable of reaching up to 99% purity.
When required, we integrate specialised third-party equipment to deliver the most efficient configuration for TNT, NG, nitrocellulose or propellant-related processes.
From process definition and P&ID development to installation and start-up, De Dietrich provides a single point of contact for your entire project, guaranteeing proven performance, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Chemical Processes Behind Energetic Materials
The production of TNT, nitroglycerine (NG), NGEL, nitrocellulose and propellants requires strict control of exothermic reactions, corrosive acids and off-gas emissions.
Key operations include:
- Nitration of energetic molecules (Batch or continous process)
- Acid recovery & concentration (nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric)
- NOx treatment and off-gas scrubbing
- Washing, separation & purification
- Thermal control and safe reaction management
All these steps demand robust engineering and equipment designed for corrosive and high-risk environments.
Package solutions & Corrosion-Resistant Equipment
De Dietrich provides complete process solutions, from P&ID development to commissioning. Our portfolio covers all critical stages:
- Glass-lined and borosilicate reactors
- Filter-dryers and centrifuges
- Evaporators & short-path distillation
- Acid concentration & recovery systems
- Scrubbers and NOx treatment equipment
- High-alloy, corrosion-resistant materials
- Continuous flow reactor
We also integrate third-party technologies when required to provide the optimal plant configuration.
Solid liquid separation by centrifugation
The use of centrifuges in the defence and energetic materials applications:
- Centrifuges for crystallisation processes (TNT, RDX)
- Filtration and precise particles control to improve reactivity and storage stability of explosives
- Dehydration / Drying of nitrocellulose
De Dietrich is the world leader for the solid liquid separation technologies.
We have the widest and most efficient range of centrifuges that can be coupled with our dryers, and can propose as an alternative our state of the art filter-dryer if those technology is most appropriate to your process
Continuous Flow Chemistry backed by Artificial intelligence
Continuous flow chemistry is not just a concept. At De Dietrich we have developped this technology for all the customers willing to change their strategy. We have experts able to help you defining how to switch from batch production to continuous.
Our expertise :
• Molecule design helped by our Artificial Intelligence software
• Process optimization (batch or continue)
• Process design
• Test in our laboratory
Continuous flow is THE solution to produce SAFER, GREENER and CHEAPER
Our expertise in continuous flow chemistry
Key assets
Package solutions for nitration, separation, distillation and acid recovery
Acid recovery up to 99% for nitric and mixed-acid systems
Process guarantee for acid recovery plants
Single partner for engineering, equipment & integration
Corrosion-resistant materials: glass-lined, borosilicate, alloys
Thousands of plants already installed worldwide