Abstract: A method comprising the steps of: (A) forming a fluid comprising a crosslinked polymer, wherein the crosslinked polymer comprises: (i) a first monomeric unit of one or more N-vinyl lactams; and (ii) a crosslinker selected from the group consisting of: divinyl ether, diallyl ether, vinyl or allyl ethers of polyglycols or polyols, divinylbenzene, 1,3-divinylimidazolidin-2-one, divinyltetrahydropyrimidin-2(1H)-one, dienes, allyl amines, N-vinyl-3(E)-ethylidene pyrrolidone, ethylidene bis(N-vinylpyrrolidone), and any combination of any of the foregoing; and (B) introducing the fluid into a portion of a well.

Abstract: A solid rocket propellant grain having rocket propellant and a membrane in contact with the rocket propellant. The membrane includes a highly heat conductive pattern which affects the propellant burning rate through localized conductive heat transfer from the combustion zone and into the uncombusted propellant. Different geometries for the thermally conductive pattern produce different combustion results.

Abstract: Rock slabs or pieces are broken from larger rocks or from rock formations with reduced cracking of the broken rock slabs or pieces by drilling bore holes along the desired break lines, placing detonating cord into the bore holes, filling the bore holes with a shock transmitting and moderating composition, and detonating the detonation cord. The shock transmitting and moderating composition is preferably a gel with shock absorbing material such as microspheres or micro gas bubbles suspended therein. Openings in rock can also be formed by drilling at least one bore hole within the desired opening and drilling a plurality of bore holes along the desired periphery of the desired opening.

Abstract: A multiple phase emulsion or gel including a water phase within at least one oil phase in which either or both of the phases contains one or more chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of organic compounds that have multiple hydroxide functionality, cholesterol, lecithin, multiple valent metal ions, saponified organic acids, unsaponified organic acids, saponified organic bases, unsaponified organic bases, nonionic surfactants and amphoteric compounds. The water and oil phase is also within a second water or oil phase in which the second water or oil phase is obtained by mixture of chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of organic acids, tall oil products, organic bases, phosphates, sulfates, nonionic chemicals, amphoterics and betaines.

Abstract: A multiple phase emulsion or gel including a water phase within at least one oil phase in which either or both of the phases contains one or more chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of organic compounds that have multiple hydroxide functionality, cholesterol, lecithin, multiple valent metal ions, saponified organic acids, unsaponified organic acids, saponified organic bases, unsaponified organic bases, nonionic surfactants and amphoteric compounds. The water and oil phase is also within a second water or oil phase in which the second water or oil phase is obtained by mixture of chemical moieties selected from a group consisting of organic acids, tall oil products, organic bases, phosphates, sulfates, nonionic chemicals, amphoterics and betaines.

Abstract: An emulsion composition with a polymerizing and/or crosslinking agent and method for its use in improving the manufacturing, packaging, transporting, storage placement and blasting characteristics of explosives containing an emulsion. More specifically, compositions and methods directed to controlling the rheology of an emulsion or explosive containing an emulsion by polymerizing and/or crosslinking the continuous phase of the emulsion by employing hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene and polymerizing agents and/or maleic anhydride adducted polybutadiene and crosslinking agents, but without compromising the integrity of the explosive reaction.Explosive materials comprised of a water-in-oil emulsion containing a continuous carbonaceous fuel phase at least partially polymerized and/or crosslinked.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of fine propellant powders by granulation, and, by way of products, to the fine powders thus obtained.The process according to the invention consists in granulating the base materials, wetted with solvent, in a granulating tray 11, in subsequently subjecting the granules thus obtained to a first partial drying in a drier 14, and in completing the finishing of the said granules in a rounder 16, optionally in the presence of solvent.The process according to the invention can be carried out continuously or batchwise, with a very high degree of operational safety. The propellant powders thus obtained possess a good activity and are suitable for small-caliber and medium-caliber weapons.

Abstract: In a method for obtaining aqueous gels based on galactomannan and xanthan, the xanthan employed has first been subjected to a treatment resulting in partial or total deacetylation before being introduced in the mixture in which the ratio of deacetylated xanthan to galactomannan is within the range of 15/85 to 90/10. Potential applications include the food industry, explosives or air-treatment products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of stabilizing liquid alkyl nitrites by adding ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, calcium silicate and mixtures thereof and mixing to produce solid state compositions and to stabilized compositions thereof.

Abstract: A fuel for rocket motors is provided in the form of a slurry of particulate metal or metalloid particles having a particle size of about 0.1 to 10 microns suspended in an alcohol having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the presence of a non-thixotropic amount of high viscosity grade hydroxypropyl cellulose.

Abstract: This invention provides novel highly acidic gels of polygalactomannan allyl ether gum and sulfur dioxide. The gels exhibit dimensional stability, and are useful for oil well acidizing and borehole plugging, and for the preparation of explosive slurries.