Abstract: A novel process for the remediation of nitrogenous energetic materials such as 1,3,5,-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) which can be used in situ on contaminated media is provided. The process comprises the bioremediation by one or more miccroorganisms capable of metabolizing the energetic materials. Examples of such microorganisms include Rhizobium rhizogenes, Burkholderia sp., and Cladosporium cladosporioides (ATCC 66669). Strains of these microorganisms have been deposited. The strain designated A1 has been deposited as Rhizobium rhizogenes BL (ATCC PTA-4110) and the strain designated C8 has been deposited as Burkholderia sp. (ATCC PTA-4111) Additionally, with the addition of a carbon source, such as a sugar, the process can totally degrade the energetic materials in two to three days.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of degrading nitrate esters by exposing a spension of a nitrate ester to a combined culture of Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 24459 and Fusarium Solani IFO 31093. This allows an alleviation of environmental difficulties associated with the demilitarization of nitrocellulose base gun propellants and for the bioremediation of soils contaminated with such nitrocellulose based materials.

Abstract: An improved chemical process is provided for the disposal of scrap nitroculose. The process involves the use of organic sulfhydryl-containing compounds to effect the nitrogen release from the nitrocellulose polymer. The nitrogen released by the application of this procedure is in the form of inorganic nitrite ions. The process is in effect a nucleophilic attack on the nitrocellulose, and is accompanied by cleavage or breakage of the cellulose chain.

Abstract: This invention is an improved enzymatic process for the removal of nitrite ons from an aqueous solution resulting from the denitration of a nitrate ester. The aqueous solution is treated with an enzyme nitrite reductase resulting from inducement under faculatative anaerobic conditions of pseudomonas sp.

Abstract: A method and improved propellant composition for eliminating secondary mue flash in small and large caliber weapons without the increased smoke production or inhibiting burning characteristics through the step of incorporating a novel microencapsulated organic coolant additive into a conventional propellant composition wherein the microencapsulated coolant will survive the propellant flame zone intact so as to decompose down barrel to cool the bases exiting the weapon barrel. The preferred organic coolant is oxamide microencapsulated within a gelatin wall material and coated with Bakelite.TM..

Abstract: A solution comprising nitrocellulose and a nitramine consisting of either X (Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine), HMX (Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-s-tetrazine), or mixtures thereof is dissolved in a volatile, liquid acetate ester, evaporated at room temperature to form a film, and then dried. The resulting material is a homogeneous, hydrogen-bonded complex of nitrocellulose and the nitramine, useful as an energetic propellant.

Abstract: A projectile capable of detecting toxic agents in the atmosphere at long ge, particularly halogen containing materials, containing therein a pyrotechnic composition comprising magnesium, calcium resinate and strontium nitrate. The projectile has an orifice therethrough along its longitudinal axis to enable the projectile to sample the atmosphere as it travels therethrough.