In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for triggering detonation of a perforating gun via optical signals are provided. An improved laser firing head may be used with an optical cable (e.g., fiber optic cable) run through the wellbore to trigger detonation of a perforating gun in response to an optical signal. The laser firing head may be activated, and the perforating gun fired, upon the application of an optical signal output from the surface and transmitted through the optical cable. The disclosed system using the laser firing head with the optical cable may be impervious to electrical interference, since the laser firing head may only fire the perforating gun when a properly modulated laser or light source is directed down the optical cable for a specific period of time.

The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.

The detonation of one or more explosive charges and propellant charges by a detonator in response to a fire control signal from a command and control system comprised of a command center and instrumentation center with a communications link therebetween. The fire control signal is selectively provided to the detonator from the instrumentation center if plural detonation control switches at the command center are in a fire authorization status, and instruments, and one or more interlocks, if included, are in a ready for firing status. The instrumentation and command centers are desirably mobile, such as being respective vehicles.

A portable decontamination chamber including an outer container defining a first internal volume; an interior receptacle positioned within the first internal volume and defining a second internal volume that is configured to receive an item to be decontaminated; an insulating liner configured to be positioned within the first internal volume between an interior surface of the outer container and an exterior surface of the interior receptacle; a thermite compact configured to be positioned within the first internal volume and in contact with at least a portion of the exterior surface of the interior receptacle; and an initiator configured to ignite the thermite compact to induce a biological decontamination temperature within the second internal volume in order to thoroughly and rapidly decontaminate material tainted with unwanted biological matter in a readily deployable package without the generation of additional gaseous products that increase the pressure within the decontamination chamber.

A portable decontamination chamber including an outer container defining a first internal volume; an interior receptacle positioned within the first internal volume and defining a second internal volume that is configured to receive an item to be decontaminated; an insulating liner configured to be positioned within the first internal volume between an interior surface of the outer container and an exterior surface of the interior receptacle; a thermite compact configured to be positioned within the first internal volume and in contact with at least a portion of the exterior surface of the interior receptacle; and an initiator configured to ignite the thermite compact to induce a biological decontamination temperature within the second internal volume in order to thoroughly and rapidly decontaminate material tainted with unwanted biological matter in a readily deployable package without the generation of additional gaseous products that increase the pressure within the decontamination chamber.

A wireless electronic detonator includes a primary source of energy and at least one functional module. A power switch is disposed between the primary source of energy and the functional module to connect or disconnect the functional module and the primary source of energy. A controller controls the power switch and includes an optical receiver to detect and demodulate a light signal emitted by a control console, The controller generates a control signal according to the demodulated light signal to at least control the power switch. A wireless detonation system includes the wireless electronic detonator and the control console configured to emit a light signal, and method for activating the wireless electronic detonator.

A wireless electronic detonator includes a primary source of energy and at least one functional module. A power switch is disposed between the primary source of energy and the functional module to connect or disconnect the functional module and the primary source of energy. A controller controls the power switch and includes an optical receiver to detect and demodulate a light signal emitted by a control console, The controller generates a control signal according to the demodulated light signal to at least control the power switch. A wireless detonation system includes the wireless electronic detonator and the control console configured to emit a light signal, and method for activating the wireless electronic detonator.

An explosive system for fracturing an underground geologic formation adjacent to a wellbore can comprise a plurality of explosive units comprising an explosive material contained within the casing, and detonation control modules electrically coupled to the plurality of explosive units and configured to cause a power pulse to be transmitted to at least one detonator of at least one of the plurality of explosive units for detonation of the explosive material. The explosive units are configured to be positioned within a wellbore in spaced apart positions relative to one another along a string with the detonation control modules positioned adjacent to the plurality of explosive units in the wellbore, such that the axial positions of the explosive units relative to the wellbore are at least partially based on geologic properties of the geologic formation adjacent the wellbore.

Optically sensitized binders which are energetic polyphosphazenes tailored at the molecular level to achieve enhanced absorption of electromagnetic radiation by having attached thereto a chromophore to absorb light and therefore ignite the binder in use.

Optically sensitized binders which are energetic polyphosphazenes tailored at the molecular level to achieve enhanced absorption of electromagnetic radiation by having attached thereto a chromophore to absorb light and therefore ignite the binder in use.