The Ensign-Bickford Company

Dyno Nobel Inc.

Farrell G Badger

Lyman G Bahr

Brendan M Welch

Ronald D Thomas

Dean F Richards

Daniel P Sutula, Jr

Robert A Lee

Roger B Clement

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

An initiator () for a secondary explosive receptor charge is provided by forming a length of detonating cord () into a helical coil containing a plurality of windings with a cut-off barrier provided by, e.g., a separating rib () between adjacent windings. The adjacent windings may be not more than about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) apart. The detonating cord () may be wound about a spindle () which may optionally provide the separating rib (). The coil may be a tapered coil which may define a taper angle of e.g., from about 2 to 4 degrees. Alternatively, the coil may be a cylindrical coil, or the cord may be configured in a planar spiral. Optionally, the detonating cord in the helical coil may have a core of explosive material with a loading of less than 15 grains per foot of the cord, e.g., less than 12 grains per foot of the cord, or a loading in the range of from 8 to 12 grains per foot of the cord. The coil may consume about six inches of the cord. Conversely, the detonating cord in the spiral may have a core of explosive material with a loading of at least 2.5 grains per foot, optionally at least 15 grains per foot of the cord.

Accumulated detonating cord explosive charge and method of making and of use of the same

A segmented explosive device capable of producing a shock wave front upon being exploded by a detonation impulse generated by a selectively operable control device and communicated to the explosive device by a transmission line coupled between the control device and the explosive device. The explosive device has a first charge segment and a second charge segment disposed in an assembled relationship. The first charge segment has a first abutment surface formed on a portion of the exterior thereof and a cavity recessed in the first abutment surface. An output end of the transmission line is received by the cavity and contacts the first charge segment. The cavity of the first charge segment can be configured to dispose explosive material in the path of a plasma zone propagating through voids internal of the explosive device to facilitate advance detonation of the explosive material before a shock wave front trailing the plasma zone reaches the explosive material. The second charge segment has a second abutment surface formed on a portion of the exterior thereof. In the assembled relationship of the first and second charge segments, the first and second abutment surfaces are disposed in contact with each other. The first and second charge segments may have complimentarily located nodules and receptacles or other complementary features on the abutment surfaces thereof for facilitating and stabilizing the disposition of the first and second explosive charge segments in the assembled relationship thereof. Methods for fabricating the segmented explosive device are also disclosed.

Explosive device with assembled segments and related methods

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

An initiator ( ) for a secondary explosive receptor charge is provided by forming a length of detonating cord ( ) into a helical coil containing a plurality of windings with a cutoff barrier provided by, e.g., a separating rib ( ) between adjacent windings. The adjacent windings may be not more than about 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) apart. The detonating cord ( ) may be wound about a spindle ( ) which may optionally provide the separating rib ( ). The coil may be a tapered coil which may define a taper angle of e.g., from about 2 to 4 degrees. Alternatively, the coil may be a cylindrical coil, or the cord may be configured in a planar spiral. Optionally, the detonating cord in the helical coil may have a core of explosive material with a loading of less than 15 grains per foot of the cord, e.g., less than 12 grains per foot of the cord, or a loading in the range of from 8 to 12 grains per foot of the cord. The coil may consume about six inches of the cord. Conversely, the detonating cord in the spiral may have a core of explosive material with a loading of at least 2.5 grains per foot, optionally at least 15 grains per foot of the cord.

An explosive charge such as a cast booster charge ( ) includes an explosive charge ( ) having a first explosive matrix material ( , ) with discrete bodies ( ) of a second material embedded therein. In some embodiments, discrete bodies may comprise explosive material and the first explosive matrix material ( , ) may be more sensitive to initiation than the explosive material of the discrete bodies ( ). In a separate aspect of the invention, the discrete bodies may have a minimum dimension of at least 1 millimeter or, optionally, 1.6 millimeter, regardless of the explosive properties of the material therein. In a particular embodiment, discrete bodies may be shaped as cylindrical pellets rounded at at least one end. The cast booster charge ( ) may be produced by melting the first explosive, disposing discrete bodies therein and cooling the molten material to solid form.

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Mapleton, UT, United States of America

Farrell G Badger