Patent US4097316A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4097316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for gelling nitroparaffins in explosive compositions
Assignee: Atlas Powder Co
•
Filing: 1977-03-15
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Granted: 1978-06-27
•
Expires: 1997-03-15
Abstract
Abstract An improved process for producing explosive gel compositions is provided wherein a polymeric thickening agent is dispersed in an aqueous medium and a nitroparaffin is added thereafter to form dispersed globules of nitroparaffin gel within the aqueous medium. Gelling agents for the aqueous medium, fuels and non-explosive sensitizing material can then be added to form an explosive gel with excellent storage and detonation capabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 John J. Mullay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:02
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B47/00; C06B47/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A process for preparing an explosive gel composition which comprises an inorganic nitrate and a nitroparaffin comprising: (a) forming an aqueous solution comprising an inorganic nitrate; (b) adding a nitroparaffin to said aqueous solution; (c) adding a polymeric thickening agent for nitroparaffins selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof to said aqueous solution while agitating to form a nigroparaffin gel dispersed within said aqueous solution; (d) gelling said aqueous solution by adding an effective amount of an aqueous gelling agent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A process for preparing an explosive gel composition which comprises an inorganic nitrate and a nitroparaffin comprising: (a) forming an aqueous solution comprising an inorganic nitrate; (b) adding a nitroparaffin to said aqueous solution; (c) adding a polymeric thickening agent for nitroparaffins selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof to said aqueous solution while agitating to form a nigroparaffin gel dispersed within said aqueous solution; (d) gelling said aqueous solution by adding an effective amount of an aqueous gelling agent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the process of claim 1.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for producing an aqueous gel explosive composition comprising: (a) dispersing a polymeric thickening agent for nitroparaffins selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile and mixtures thereof in an aqueous medium by agitation; (b) thereafter adding a nitroparaffin to said aqueous medium while agitating to form a nitroparaffin gel; (c) gelling said aqueous medium.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for producing an aqueous gel explosive composition comprising: (a) dispersing a polymeric thickening agent for nitroparaffins selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile and mixtures thereof in an aqueous medium by agitation; (b) thereafter adding a nitroparaffin to said aqueous medium while agitating to form a nitroparaffin gel; (c) gelling said aqueous medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 3 further comprising admixing a fuel with said aqueous medium containing the dispersed nitroparaffin gel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said fuel is present in an amount up to about 15 percent by weight, based on the weight of the explosive gel composition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 5 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum naphthas, oxygenated organic compounds, aluminum and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said fuel is ethylene glycol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 further comprising admixing a non-explosive sensitizing material with said aqueous medium containing the dispersed nitroparaffin gel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said non-explosive sensitizing material is present in an amount up to about 5 percent by weight based on the weight of the explosive gel composition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said non-explosive sensitizing material is selected from the group consisting of glass microballoons, resin microballoons, wood flour, cork, balsa and mixtures thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said non-explosive sensitizing material is glass microballoons.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said polymeric thickening agent further comprises nitrocellulose.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said polymeric thickening agent is in powdered form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said nitroparaffin is present in an amount equal to from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight, based on the weight of said explosive gel composition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said nitroparaffin is selected from the group consisting of nitromethane, nitroethane, 1-nitropropane, 2-nitropropane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
10 words
The process of claim 15 wherein said nitroparaffin is nitromethane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said inorganic nitrate is present in an amount of from about 10 to about 80 percent by weight, based on the weight of said explosive gel composition.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 17 wherein said inorganic nitrates are selected from the group consisting of nitrates of ammonium, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, Group III elements and mixtures thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 18 wherein said inorganic nitrate is a mixture of ammonium nitrate and sodium nitrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
71 words
The process of claim 17, further comprising dissolving an oxidizing agent other than said inorganic nitrate in said aqueous medium in an amount up to about 30 percent by weight, based on the weight of the explosive gel composition, so that the combined total of said oxidizing agent and said inorganic nitrate is in the range of from about 10 to about 90 percent by weight of said explosive gel composition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 20 wherein said oxidizing agent is selected from the group consisting of the perchlorates of ammonium, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, Group III elements and mixtures thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 21 wherein said oxidizing agent is sodium perchlorate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 21 wherein said oxidizing agent is ammonium perchlorate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said gelling of the aqueous medium is effected by the addition of an aqueous gelling agent in an amount of from about 0.2 to about 2.0 percent by weight, based on the weight of the explosive gel composition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 24 wherein said aqueous gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of gum arabic, guar gum, polyacrylamides, pregelatinized starch, carboxyethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 25 wherein said aqueous gelling agent comprises guar gum and a suitable cross linker therefor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 25 wherein said aqueous gelling agent comprises a polyacrylamide and a suitable crosslinker therefor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 3 further comprising admixing an effective amount of an emulsifier with said aqueous medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 28 wherein said emulsifier is a hydrogenated tallow amine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 3 further comprising admixing an auxiliary sensitizing agent with said aqueous medium containing the dispersed nitroparaffin gel.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 30 wherein said auxiliary sensitizing agent comprises up to about 20 percent by weight of the explosive gel composition and is selected from the group consisting of methylamine nitrate, ethylenediamine dinitrate, Dinitrotoluene, Trinitrotoluene and mixtures thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the process of claim 3.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a method of making an aqueous gel explosive composition comprising a nitroparaffin gelled with a polymeric thickening agent selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof, the improvement comprising: dispersing said polymeric thickening agent in an aqueous medium and thereafter adding nitroparaffin to the resulting dispersion with agitation to form a nitroparaffin gel dispersed within said aqueous medium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
81 words
In a method of making an aqueous gel explosive composition comprising a nitroparaffin gelled with a polymeric thickening agent selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof, the improvement comprising: dispersing said polymeric thickening agent in an aqueous medium and thereafter adding nitroparaffin to the resulting dispersion with agitation to form a nitroparaffin gel dispersed within said aqueous medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said aqueous medium comprises a solution of oxidizing agents.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising gelling said aqueous medium.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the method of claim 33.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a process for producing an aqueous explosive gel composition which comprises a nitroparaffin gel, the improved method of preparing said nitroparaffin gel comprising: (a) dispersing a polymeric thickening agent for nitroparaffins selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof in an aqueous solution by agitating; (b) adding a nitroparaffin to said aqueous solution while agitating to thereby form dispersed globules of nitroparaffin gel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a process for producing an aqueous explosive gel composition which comprises a nitroparaffin gel, the improved method of preparing said nitroparaffin gel comprising: (a) dispersing a polymeric thickening agent for nitroparaffins selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, polymers of methyl, ethyl and butyl methacrylate, copolymers of vinylidene chloride and acrylonitrile, and mixtures thereof in an aqueous solution by agitating; (b) adding a nitroparaffin to said aqueous solution while agitating to thereby form dispersed globules of nitroparaffin gel.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the process of claim 37.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of manufacturing a gelled explosive material consisting essentially of the following composition: ______________________________________
Ingredient % by weight
______________________________________
Inorganic nitrate 10 - 80
Oxidizing Agents (other than
inorganic nitrates) 0 - 30
Water 5 - 25
Water Gelling Agent 0.2 - 2.0
Non-explosive Sensitizing Agent
0 - 5.0
Fuels 0 - 15
Nitroparaffin 5 - 30
Polymeric thickner of nitroparaffin
selected from the group consisting
of cellulose acetate, cellulose
acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate
propionate, polymers of methyl,
ethyl and butyl methacrylate,
copolymers of vinylidene chloride
and acrylonitrile and mixtures
thereof 0.05 - 2.0
______________________________________ said gelled explosive material being formed by adding said polymeric thickner to an aqueous medium selected from the group consisting of water and an aqueous solution containing at least a portion of said inorganic nitrates and thereafter adding the remaining ingredients.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of manufacturing a gelled explosive material consisting essentially of the following composition: ______________________________________
Ingredient % by weight
______________________________________
Inorganic nitrate 10 - 80
Oxidizing Agents (other than
inorganic nitrates) 0 - 30
Water 5 - 25
Water Gelling Agent 0.2 - 2.0
Non-explosive Sensitizing Agent
0 - 5.0
Fuels 0 - 15
Nitroparaffin 5 - 30
Polymeric thickner of nitroparaffin
selected from the group consisting
of cellulose acetate, cellulose
acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate
propionate, polymers of methyl,
ethyl and butyl methacrylate,
copolymers of vinylidene chloride
and acrylonitrile and mixtures
thereof 0.05 - 2.0
______________________________________ said gelled explosive material being formed by adding said polymeric thickner to an aqueous medium selected from the group consisting of water and an aqueous solution containing at least a portion of said inorganic nitrates and thereafter adding the remaining ingredients.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 39 further comprising admixing an effective amount of an emulsifier with said aqueous medium.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 40 wherein said emulsifier is a hydrogenated tallow amine.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 41 wherein said polymeric thickening agent is in powdered form.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said nitroparaffin is nitromethane.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said inorganic nitrate is selected from the group consisting of nitrates of ammonium, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, Group III elements, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said oxidizing agents are selected from the group consisting of sodium perchlorates, ammonium perchlorates and mixtures thereof.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said water gelling agent is selected from the group consisting of guar gum, polyacrylamide and mixtures thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said fuel is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, aluminum and mixtures thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39 wherein said non-explosive sensitizing agent is glass microballons.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
9 words
The product produced by the method of claim 39.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |