This invention relates to a thermite reaction charge comprising bismuth oxide and aluminium adapted to react with a reaction rate giving a reaction time of 8 to 15 seconds for a thermite reaction charge of 30 to 100 kg from initialisation of the thermite reaction charge to at least 90% of the thermite reaction charge is reacted, a method for forming a three-phased rock-to-rock barrier by applying the thermite reaction charge and a well barrier formed thereof.

This invention relates to a thermite reaction charge comprising bismuth oxide and aluminium adapted to react with a reaction rate giving a reaction time of 8 to 15 seconds for a thermite reaction charge of 30 to 100 kg from initialisation of the thermite reaction charge to at least 90% of the thermite reaction charge is reacted, a method for forming a three-phased rock-to-rock barrier by applying the thermite reaction charge and a well barrier formed thereof.

The devices and methods described below provide for a plasticized, adhesive binary explosive formed with nitromethane (NM) plasticized with nitrocellulose (NC) as an energetic compound and using a suitable amine as the sensitizer. The addition of the sensitizer to the plasticized mixture of NM/NC causes the gel to become explosive while maintaining stability and not deflagrating.

The invention relates to a propellant element for a gas generator for use in a safety device in the form of a coated pellet (24), wherein the coated pellet (24) comprises a core (20) made of a first pyrotechnical material (46) and a coating (22) made of a second pyrotechnical material (48) and enveloping the core (20), wherein the first pyrotechnical material (48) differs from the second pyrotechnical material (48) and wherein the core (20) includes an edge portion (26) projecting in the radial direction which extends through the coating (22) up to an outer contour (28) of the coated pellet (24), wherein the edge portion (26) is formed along a circumferential direction of the coated pellet (24) and has a smaller expansion than the core (20) in the axial direction of the coated pellet (24).

The present invention provides an improved sorbent and corresponding device(s) and uses thereof for the capture and stabilization of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) from a gaseous atmosphere. The sorbent is capable of rapid and high uptake of one or more compounds and provides quantitative release (recovery) of the compound(s) when exposed to elevated temperature and/or organic solvent. Uses of particular improved grades of mesoporous silica are disclosed.

A system and apparatus for providing an apparatus for use in a wellbore. The apparatus includes an apparatus body defining a volume, a propellant disposed within the volume, wherein the propellant has a first burn rate, and at least one propellant insert disposed within the propellant, wherein the propellant insert has a second burn rate, and the second burn rate is different than the first burn rate.

The present invention provides an improved sorbent and corresponding device(s) and uses thereof for the capture and stabilization of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) from a gaseous atmosphere. The sorbent is capable of rapid and high uptake of one or more compounds and provides quantitative release (recovery) of the compound(s) when exposed to elevated temperature and/or organic solvent. Uses of particular improved grades of mesoporous silica are disclosed.

The invention is directed to a propellant charge for guns, to a combination of a propellant charge and a primer, to a firearms cartridge, and to a method for modifying the surface of a propellant charge.

The propellant charge of the invention comprises multiple propellant grains, wherein an exterior part of part of the propellant grains has been subjected to a surface modification treatment comprising the successive steps of suspending propellant grains in water to prepare a slurry, adding an organic solvent to the propellant grains before, after and/or during the preparation of the slurry, mixing the slurry that comprises water and organic solvent for a period of 120 minutes or less, lowering the concentration of organic solvent, removing organic solvent, and drying the propellant grains to remove water; wherein part of the propellant grains has not been subjected to the surface modification treatment.

The invention is directed to a propellant charge for guns, to a combination of a propellant charge and a primer, to a firearms cartridge, and to a method for modifying the surface of a propellant charge.

The propellant charge of the invention comprises multiple propellant grains, wherein an exterior part of part of the propellant grains has been subjected to a surface modification treatment comprising the successive steps of suspending propellant grains in water to prepare a slurry, adding an organic solvent to the propellant grains before, after and/or during the preparation of the slurry, mixing the slurry that comprises water and organic solvent for a period of 120 minutes or less, lowering the concentration of organic solvent, removing organic solvent, and drying the propellant grains to remove water; wherein part of the propellant grains has not been subjected to the surface modification treatment.

A propellant is made from a flexible sheet that in some examples is nitrocellulose. An ignitable material is deposited on one side of the flexible sheet. The ignitable material is a series of triangles having a base adjacent to one edge of the sheet, and an apex adjacent to the other side of the sheet. Some examples of the ignitable material may be thermite compositions. The flexible sheet is rolled around a nonburnable tube and placed within a firearm casing, with the triangle bases being adjacent to the back of the casing, and the triangle apexes being adjacent to the front of the casing. The nonburnable tube is disposed over the primer pocket, so that ignition products from the primer travel through the tube, igniting the propellant adjacent to the front of the casing.