US5098683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Potassium fluoride stabilized ammonium nitrate and method of producing potassium fluoride stabilized ammonium nitrate
Assignee: General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc
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Filing: 1991-03-06
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Granted: 1992-03-24
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Expires: 2011-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A phase stabilized ammonium nitrate mixed crystal structure is produced by the addition of potassium fluoride. Thus the undesirable abrupt expansion and contraction of ammonium nitrate in the temperature range of use in rocket motor propellants and explosives (-55 DEG C. to lambda DEG C.) is eliminated. The mixture is made by the addition of between about 3% to 5% and preferably about 3.5% by weight potassium fluoride to the ammonium nitrate by a nonhazardous aqueous method.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashok K. Mehrotra
- 👤 I. Lee Markovich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:45
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01C; C01C1/00; C01C1/18; C06; C06B; C06B31/00; C06B31/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
32 words
Crystals comprising a mixture of ammonium nitrate and potassium fluoride wherein the weight percent of potassium fluoride in the mixed crystal is within the range of from about 3.0% to about 5.0%.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
32 words
Crystals comprising a mixture of ammonium nitrate and potassium fluoride wherein the weight percent of potassium fluoride in the mixed crystal is within the range of from about 3.0% to about 5.0%.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The crystals according to claim 1 wherein the weight percent of potassium fluoride is between about 3.0% and about 4.0%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The crystals according to claim 2 wherein the weight percent of potassium fluoride is about 3.5%.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of stabilizing ammonium nitrate which comprises the steps of: a) heating an aqueous ammonium nitrate solution to less than about 120° C.; b) dissolving from 3.0% to about 5.0% by weight potassium fluoride in the aqueous solution; c) cooling the aqueous solution of potassium fluoride and ammonium nitrate to less than about 80° C.; and d) maintaining the temperature of the solution at about 77° C. until the water has evaporated leaving behind solid crystals of stabilized ammonium nitrate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
81 words
A method of stabilizing ammonium nitrate which comprises the steps of: a) heating an aqueous ammonium nitrate solution to less than about 120° C.; b) dissolving from 3.0% to about 5.0% by weight potassium fluoride in the aqueous solution; c) cooling the aqueous solution of potassium fluoride and ammonium nitrate to less than about 80° C.; and d) maintaining the temperature of the solution at about 77° C. until the water has evaporated leaving behind solid crystals of stabilized ammonium nitrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 4 which is accomplished by heating the aqueous ammonium nitrate solution to about 110° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 4 which is accomplished by dissolving from 3.0% to about 4.0% by weight potassium fluoride in the aqueous solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 6 which is accomplished by dissolving about 3.5% by weight potassium fluoride in the aqueous solution.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 7 which is accomplished by dissolving about 3.5% by weight potassium fluoride in the aqueous solution at about 110° C.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4336085A
Cited
US4552736A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-09-23 | 1996-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-24 | 1999-09-23 | 2000-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-24 | 2003-09-23 | 2004-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |