A monopropellant includes 30-70% by weight of an oxidizer including hydroxylammonium nitrate, 5-50% by weight of a fuel, and a burn rate modifier in a non-zero amount of up to 3% by weight. The burn rate modifier can be selected from vanadium salts, iron salts, and combinations thereof. The monopropellant is a stable liquid between 20 C and 100 C at ambient pressure.

An apparatus and process for fracturing wells is provided. In one example, an apparatus includes an electric liquid monopropellant device including a volume of electric liquid monopropellant and a detonation cord in proximity to the electric liquid monopropellant device to ignite the volume of electric liquid monopropellant upon activation of the detonation cord. The detonation cord is adapted to ignite the electric liquid monopropellant at pressures exceeding 200 psi, and in some examples, exceeding 500 or 1,000 psi. The detonation cord can be wrapped around the electric liquid monopropellant device in a variety of configurations to increase combustion rates and/or shape the event pulse of the combustion.

An apparatus and process for fracturing wells is provided. In one example, an apparatus includes an electric liquid monopropellant device including a volume of electric liquid monopropellant and a detonation cord in proximity to the electric liquid monopropellant device to ignite the volume of electric liquid monopropellant upon activation of the detonation cord. The detonation cord is adapted to ignite the electric liquid monopropellant at pressures exceeding 200 psi, and in some examples, exceeding 500 or 1,000 psi. The detonation cord can be wrapped around the electric liquid monopropellant device in a variety of configurations to increase combustion rates and/or shape the event pulse of the combustion.

This invention relates to the construction of a rocket motor and fuel system thereof and, in particular to a new and useful Viscous Liquid Monopropellant (VLM) rocket motor containing a liquid propellant that is pumped into the combustion chamber, atomized and then ignited. The atomization step significantly increases the surface area of the propellant, delivering faster burn rates and smoother combustion. VLM is a non-Newtonian fluid containing both oxidizers and fuels. These monopropellants are comprised of a variety of liquid and solid components, mixed together to form a homogenous fluid, although heterogeneous in composition. The solid constituents are retained within the liquid phase by dispersion, suspension, bonding or chemical emulsification techniques, so as when a motive force is applied to the propellant, all the constituents are also transported, and held in correct proportion while doing so.

This invention relates to the construction of a rocket motor and fuel system thereof and, in particular to a new and useful Viscous Liquid Monopropellant (VLM) rocket motor containing a liquid propellant that is pumped into the combustion chamber, atomized and then ignited. The atomization step significantly increases the surface area of the propellant, delivering faster burn rates and smoother combustion. VLM is a non-Newtonian fluid containing both oxidizers and fuels. These monopropellants are comprised of a variety of liquid and solid components, mixed together to form a homogenous fluid, although heterogeneous in composition. The solid constituents are retained within the liquid phase by dispersion, suspension, bonding or chemical emulsification techniques, so as when a motive force is applied to the propellant, all the constituents are also transported, and held in correct proportion while doing so.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A method to generate dense, multi-cyclic diamondoid fuels from bio-derived sesquiterpenes. This process can be conducted with both heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts and produces the targeted isomers in high yield. The resulting multi-cyclic structures impart significantly higher densities and volumetric net heats of combustion while maintaining low viscosities which allow for use at low temperature/high altitude. Moreover, bio-derived sesquiterpenes can be produced from renewable biomass sources. Use of these fuels will decrease Navy dependence on fossil fuels and will also reduce net carbon emissions.

A multi-compartment microcapsule produces heat when subjected to a stimulus (e.g., a compressive force, a magnetic field, or combinations thereof). In some embodiments, the multi-compartment microcapsules have first and second compartments separated by an isolating structure adapted to rupture in response to the stimulus, wherein the first and second compartments contain reactants that come in contact and react to produce heat when the isolating structure ruptures. In some embodiments, the multi-compartment microcapsules are shell-in-shell microcapsules each having an inner shell contained within an outer shell, wherein the inner shell defines the isolating structure and the outer shell does not allow the heat-generating chemistry to escape the microcapsule upon rupture of the inner shell.

A multi-compartment microcapsule produces heat when subjected to a stimulus (e.g., a compressive force, a magnetic field, or combinations thereof). In some embodiments, the multi-compartment microcapsules have first and second compartments separated by an isolating structure adapted to rupture in response to the stimulus, wherein the first and second compartments contain reactants that come in contact and react to produce heat when the isolating structure ruptures. In some embodiments, the multi-compartment microcapsules are shell-in-shell microcapsules each having an inner shell contained within an outer shell, wherein the inner shell defines the isolating structure and the outer shell does not allow the heat-generating chemistry to escape the microcapsule upon rupture of the inner shell.

The present invention provides an explosive method that improves on methods currently employed. The present invention provides for a safer, less expensive, and more portable explosive device. The elements of the present invention replace dynamite or similar explosives currently used in avalanche control and bore hole blasting of rock or other solids. The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method providing a much safer alternative employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor, whereas dynamite is a category 1.1 high explosive imbued with all the attendant safety and security concerns. The method of the present invention provides for an improved and safer method of blasting employing a highly confined combustion reaction of a flammable vapor instead of conventional explosives currently used.