A hot-gas-generating apparatus for reacting a propellant comprises a combustion chamber, at least one injector that is arranged upstream of the combustion chamber and can be closed, on the combustion chamber side, to the propellant, electrodes being integrated in said injector, and at least one supply line for the propellant. In this context, the propellant is a monopropellant and a substantially water-free ionic solution having low vapor pressure, preferably with a residual water content of less than five percent by mass, which is capable of self-sustaining combustion at a given combustion chamber pressure, and the electrodes have at least two electrodes of opposite polarity which are suitable for electrically igniting the propellant by means of a flow of current through the propellant when this propellant flows between the opposite-polarity electrodes.

A hot-gas-generating apparatus for reacting a propellant comprises a combustion chamber, at least one injector that is arranged upstream of the combustion chamber and can be closed, on the combustion chamber side, to the propellant, electrodes being integrated in said injector, and at least one supply line for the propellant. In this context, the propellant is a monopropellant and a substantially water-free ionic solution having low vapor pressure, preferably with a residual water content of less than five percent by mass, which is capable of self-sustaining combustion at a given combustion chamber pressure, and the electrodes have at least two electrodes of opposite polarity which are suitable for electrically igniting the propellant by means of a flow of current through the propellant when this propellant flows between the opposite-polarity electrodes.

A single-step method for preparing nano-sized cocrystals of explosive material by preparing a coformer solution having an explosive precursor dissolved into a liquid medium and a second explosive precursor dispersed in the liquid medium. The viscosity and solubility of the coformer solution may be modified by addition of binders, plasticizers, surfactants and anti-foaming agents to the coformer solution. The coformer solution is then milled to mechanically form the cocrystals. Further milling produces the desired cocrystal sizes.

A single-step method for preparing nano-sized cocrystals of explosive material by preparing a coformer solution having an explosive precursor dissolved into a liquid medium and a second explosive precursor dispersed in the liquid medium. The viscosity and solubility of the coformer solution may be modified by addition of binders, plasticizers, surfactants and anti-foaming agents to the coformer solution. The coformer solution is then milled to mechanically form the cocrystals. Further milling produces the desired cocrystal sizes.

A method of manufacturing a CL-20/HMX cocrystalline explosive which is coated in a polymeric binder, so as to be useful as an explosive molding powder. The cocrystalline material having a desirable average crystal size of from about 300 nm to about 1000 nm, which crystals are intimately coated with a polymeric binder and are produced as granular agglomerates that are less than on average 5 microns in size, and which crystals are relatively easy and safe to handle, transport, store and use. The method involving spray drying a CL-20 and HMX solvent solution containing a polymeric binder to form an intermediary amorphous material—which intermediary is then heated to cocrystallize the CL-20/HMX into the desired size cocrystals and aggregates thereof—which are coated in said polymeric binder.

A method of manufacturing a CL-20/HMX cocrystalline explosive which is coated in a polymeric binder, so as to be useful as an explosive molding powder. The cocrystalline material having a desirable average crystal size of from about 300 nm to about 1000 nm, which crystals are intimately coated with a polymeric binder and are produced as granular agglomerates that are less than on average 5 microns in size, and which crystals are relatively easy and safe to handle, transport, store and use. The method involving spray drying a CL-20 and HMX solvent solution containing a polymeric binder to form an intermediary amorphous material—which intermediary is then heated to cocrystallize the CL-20/HMX into the desired size cocrystals and aggregates thereof—which are coated in said polymeric binder.

Solid propellant systems include a main propellant and a secondary propellant in contact with the first propellant that exhibits autoignition temperatures of at least about 100° F. lower than the autoignition temperature of the main propellant. The secondary propellant of the present invention is most advantageously employed with conventional AP-containing solid propellant formulations as the main propellant, especially formulations containing both AP, an energetic solid, and a binder. In especially preferred forms, the secondary propellant will include a nitramine which is at least one selected from nitroguanidine (NQ), cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), and a binder which is at least one selected from HTPB, HTPE or glycidyl azide polymer (GAP). Most preferably, the secondary propellant will include a combination of nitramines which includes NQ and one of RDX or HMX.

Solid propellant systems include a main propellant and a secondary propellant in contact with the first propellant that exhibits autoignition temperatures of at least about 100° F. lower than the autoignition temperature of the main propellant. The secondary propellant of the present invention is most advantageously employed with conventional AP-containing solid propellant formulations as the main propellant, especially formulations containing both AP, an energetic solid, and a binder. In especially preferred forms, the secondary propellant will include a nitramine which is at least one selected from nitroguanidine (NQ), cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX), and a binder which is at least one selected from HTPB, HTPE or glycidyl azide polymer (GAP). Most preferably, the secondary propellant will include a combination of nitramines which includes NQ and one of RDX or HMX.

Methods of diverting fluid flow, controlling fluid loss, and/or providing zonal isolation in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a particulate material that comprises an electrically controlled propellant; placing the particulate material in at least a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the particulate material to at least partially divert the flow of the treatment fluid away from the first portion of the formation.

Methods of diverting fluid flow, controlling fluid loss, and/or providing zonal isolation in subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a particulate material that comprises an electrically controlled propellant; placing the particulate material in at least a first portion of the subterranean formation; introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation; and allowing the particulate material to at least partially divert the flow of the treatment fluid away from the first portion of the formation.