Drying nitrocellulose based explosive powders - at low temp. and press. to remove volatile solvent, then at higher temp. to remove alcohol

Non-compound, nitrocellulose-based powders contg. 2 solvents, one being ether or acetone, and the other an alkanol are selectively dried in 2 stages. The first stage is at low press. and low temp. and in the second drying in finished at temps. >= ambient, and pref. at low press. Esp. the press. is about 10 mmHg and temp. is -40 to 0 degree C in the first stage and ambient to 40 degrees C in the second. The soaking stage (which follows drying and remains any residual solvents) can be made shorter with consequently less deterioration of the diphenylamine added as stabilizer.