The Ensign-Bickford Company

Dyno Nobel Inc.

Brendan M Welch

Lyman G Bahr

Ronald D Thomas

Farrell G Badger

Dean F Richards

Daniel A Toro

Daniel P Sutula, Jr

Ronald M Dufrane

David W Ewick

Frank J Lucca

Anthony Sendek

Willie B Eicke, Jr

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms and with nutrient for the microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms includespp.,spp.,spp.,spp.,spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

Explosive device with accelerated bioremediation capacity

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive device. An explosive device contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms capable of metabolizing the explosive material that are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying. Examples includespp.,spp.,spp.,spp.,spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A self-remediating explosive mixture includes an explosive material intermixed with microorganisms. Joined with an explosive device is a bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between microorganisms and explosive material in the explosive device using a barrier that is actuated to release the microorganisms by mechanical, electrical, or chemical mechanisms. If the explosive device fails to detonate, remediation by microorganisms includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of resulting chemical compositions.

Method for bioremediating undetonated explosive device

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with a carrier containing microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation includes an explosive material that is intermixed with or lies proximate to the carrier. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

Methods, apparatus, and systems for accelerated bioremediation of explosives

Technology for in situ remediation of undetonated explosive material. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity with microorganisms. An explosive mixture capable of self remediation in the form of an explosive material is intermixed with microorganisms. The microorganisms are either mobile or temporarily deactivated by freeze drying until rehydrated and remobilized. The microorganisms are capable of metabolizing the explosive material. Examples of such microorganisms include Pseudomonas spp., Escherichia spp., Morganella spp., Rhodococcus spp., Comamonas spp., and denitrifying microorganisms. A bioremediation apparatus that contains microorganisms and prevents contact between the microorganisms and explosive material is joined with an explosive apparatus that houses a charge of explosive material. A barrier is actuated by mechanical, electrical or chemical mechanisms to release the microorganisms into the explosive assembly to enable the microorganisms to begin metabolizing the explosive material, when the explosive apparatus is joined with the bioremediating apparatus. If the explosive material fails to detonate, the explosive is remediated by the action of the microorganisms. Remediation includes both disabling of the explosive material and detoxification of the resulting chemical compositions.

Method for manufacturing explosive device having self-remediating capacity

Explosive with bioremediating capacity

A device (10) for explosively cutting a pipe (40) having an inner circumference has a carrier member (12) having a circumference. A support structure, such as a spring steel band (20), is releasably carried on the carrier member (12) in a retracted configuration by an explosive bolt (24) and is biased towards an extended configuration. The retracted configuration facilitates insertion of the device into the pipe (40). A linear charge of explosive material, e.g., shock wave refractive tape (26), is secured to the support structure. When the bolt (24) is fired, the spring band (20) is released from the carrier member (12) and moves to the extended configuration in which the linear charge engages the interior of the pipe (40) to facilitate cutting the pipe. Initiation manifolds (42) mounted on the support structure receive an initiation signal and detonate the linear charge at both sides thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the device (10) carries a plurality of segments of linear explosive charges (126) in a staggered arrangement about the device. Pneumatic cylinders (125) may be used to move the charges (126) from their retracted configurations to the extended configurations.

Device for cutting a large diameter pipe and initiation manifold therefor

A booster explosive device (10) has a housing (12) within which is contained an explosive primer charge (14). Mechanical fastener components such as exterior screw threads (32) on housing (12) and interior screw threads (34) on an explosive accessory charge (20) may be engaged with each other in order to provide a charge assembly (30) comprised of device (10) and accessory charge (20). The outer peripheral surface (26) of accessory charge (20) is optionally concave so that accessory charge (20) optionally serves as a shaped charge to provide enhanced radial explosive output. Explosive primer charge (14) is configured so that the output tip (44b) of a detonator (44) contained therewithin is positioned below at least about 50 percent by weight of primer charge (14) and within the accessory section (10c) of device (10).

Booster explosive devices and combinations thereof with explosive

A detonation system especially useful for initiating a plurality of substantially simultaneous seismic detonations includes an electric trunkline circuit disposed on the surface of a firing site containing boreholes, within which booster charges having respective top and base portions are disposed. The booster charges are connected without intervening detonators to the downhole ends of equal-sized lengths of low-energy detonating cord, the surface ends of which are connected to semiconductor bridge-initiated electric detonators connected in series in the firing circuit. The resulting system, because of the small deviation in function time of the semiconductor bridge detonators, has greatly reduced scatter time as compared to prior art systems utilizing conventional downhole electric detonators, and has a safety advantage in that the boreholes are free of detonators. The booster charges are dimensioned and configured to direct more of their explosive energy in a downward direction than in an upward direction, and are fired at the top portion thereof, in order to maximize the downward direction of energy of the booster charge.

Explosive initiation system

A slider (36) has a base fixture (40) and a shielding tube (42). The slider (36) is used to operably couple a detonator (44) to a detonating cord (62) that passes through a booster device (10), i.e., to prevent the detonating cord (62) from directly initiating or fracturing the booster (10). The base fixture (40) includes input lead-retaining means for disposing the input lead (47) of a detonator (44) in signal transfer relation to the detonating cord (62). Optionally, the slider (36) has a detonator retainer (38) for carrying the detonator (44) on the slider (36). Preferably, the detonator retainer (38) is able to hold detonators of various lengths in proper position to initiate the booster device (10). By disposing the shielding tube (42) on the slider (36) a booster device (10) can be used with various detonating cords (62) and a slider (36) having a shielding tube (42) suitable for the chosen detonating cord (62) can be inserted into the booster device (10).

Slider member for booster explosive charges

An accessory charge (20) for mounting on a booster explosive device (10) is preferably of toroidal configuration including a hub opening (29) dimensioned and configured to engage the accessory charge (20) with the booster device (10). The booster device (10) may have exterior threads (32) which are engaged by the interior threads (34) of the accessory charge (20). The outer peripheral surface (26) of the accessory charge (20) may be concave in cross section so that the accessory charge (20) comprises a shaped charge facing radially outwardly thereof. The accessory charge (20) may be combined with the booster device (10) to provide a charge assembly (30).

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Farmington, CT, United States of America

Brendan M Welch