Abstract: A method of making pelletized nitrocellulose (PNC) includes preparing a lacquer, the lacquer comprising nitrocellulose (NC), ethyl acetate and ethyl centralite, the NC having a nitrogen content of at least about 12.2%; mixing the lacquer with an antisolvent to thereby emulsify the lacquer and form PNC; drowning the PNC with the antisolvent; and separating the antisolvent and ethyl acetate from the PNC.

Abstract: A method of making pelletized nitrocellulose (PNC) includes preparing a lacquer, the lacquer comprising nitrocellulose (NC), ethyl acetate and ethyl centralite, the NC having a nitrogen content of at least about 12.2%; mixing the lacquer with an antisolvent to thereby emulsify the lacquer and form PNC; drowning the PNC with the antisolvent; and separating the antisolvent and ethyl acetate from the PNC.

Abstract: Liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide is used to create an environment for forming nitrating agents and energetic materials.

Abstract: A process for preparing energetic materials by (1) dissolving a vinylidenuoride-hexafluoropropylene copolymer in a ketone that is acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, or mixtures thereof, (2) adding polytetrafluoroethylene particles and reactive metal (magnesium, aluminum, or their alloys) particles to form a slurry, (3) adding CO.sub.2 to the slurry to precipitate out the copolymer which then coats the polytetrafluoroethylene and reactive metal particles, and (4) separating the copolymer-coated particles from the ketone and CO.sub.2.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor includes a vessel with an interior urface, two cooling sections, a heat exchanger, an oxygenating section, a pump, and a trap. The interior surface of the vessel has a corrosion-resistant, artificial ceramic or diamond-like coating. The artificial diamond coating is thin and crystal-like in structure. The heat exchanger is located between the two cooling sections. The heat exchanger and the two cooling sections surround the exterior of the vessel. The oxygenating section comprises a porous cylindrical baffle positioned within the vessel. The porous baffle transfers oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, or other oxygenating substances to an aqueous hazardous waste introduced into the reactor.In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the oxygenating section includes a shaft having a helical extension. The shaft has a corrosion-resistant, artificial diamond or diamond-like coating on its outer surface.

Abstract: Monomethylhydrazine and dimethylhydrazine are prepared in a multi-step prss which comprises the steps of reacting chlorine and ammonia to form gaseous chloramine, introducing the chloramine into the lower reaction layer of a liquid two-phase caustic-amine or caustic/ammonia system, reacting the chloramine with the available ammonia or the available amine, and then transferring the forming hydrazine from the lower reaction layer to the upper storage layer of the two-phase system.

Abstract: A process for preparing an energetic mixture of 1,2,4-butanetroil trinitr and nitroglycerin by forming a polyol mixture of 1,2,4-butanetriol and glycerin, and then nitrating the polyol mixture with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids.

Abstract: A process for preparing 1,4,4,5,5,6,6-heptafluoro-2-trifluoro-3-oxaheptan,7-diol polyformal by the following steps in order:(1) reacting 2,4,4,5,5,6,6-heptafluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-3-oxaheptane-1,7-diol with formaldehyde in 80-90% (w/w) sulfuric acid in the presence of methylene chloride to produce 2,4,4,5,5,6,6-heptafluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-3-oxaheptane-1,7-diol polyformal;(2) treating the reaction mixture with aqueous H.sub.2 O.sub.2 to destroy free formaldehyde;(3) removing methylene chloride from the reaction mixture;(4) extracting the product 2,4,4,5,5,6,6-heptafluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-3-oxaheptane-1,7-diol polyformal from the reaction mixture with ether;(5) agitating the ether extract with an aqueous solution of (a) H.sub.2 O.sub.2, (b) KOH or NaOH, and (c) NaCl or KCl to convert hemiformal end groups into hydroxy end groups; and(6) isolating the product 2,4,4,5,5,6,6-heptafluoro-2-trifluoromethyl-3-oxaheptane-1,7-diol polyformal.

Abstract: A process for preparing 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one by nitrating 1,2,4-trol-5-one in 70% nitric acid at a temperature of from 60.degree. C. to 75.degree. C. and then crystallizing out the product 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. The nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one is useful as an explosive.