Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method for cleaning an electrostatic precipitator by directing a stream of cleaning gas through a flexible tube positioned inside the electrostatic precipitator. The stream of gas causing the flexible tube to move randomly directing the stream of gas at the precipitator plates with sufficient force to dislodge particles adhered to such plates.

Abstract: An improved method of manufacturing superfine iron oxide particles by introducing a gas mixture of a non-oxidizing gas and an iron-containing compound into a stream of heated oxidizing gas, wherein the improvement resides in the use of an insulated injector to introduce the gas mixtures into the heated oxidizing gas stream.

Abstract: A method for making a ferric oxide burning rate enhancing catalyst that results in a smaller particle size high surface area catalyst. The method comprises diluting a gaseous iron-containing compound with an oxygen-containing gas at a temperature such that the rate of oxidation is negligible and oxidizing the diluted gaseous iron-containing compound in an oxygen-containing environment. Ferric oxide particles are formed, suspended in the oxygen-containing environment.

Abstract: A method of making a ferric oxide burning rate catalyst that results in a highly active, finely divided burning rate enhancing catalyst. An iron-containing compound that is capable of vaporization at a temperature below about 500.degree. C. is vaporized. A mixture comprising the vaporized iron-containing compound is combusted with a gas that is capable of supporting combustion in an oxygen environment and does not condense below about 100.degree. C. The ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by this process is particulary adapted for use in a composite solid rocket propellant. This process provides an ultra pure, highly active, finely divided burning rate catalyst.

Abstract: A highly active, finely divided ferric oxide burning rate catalyst and method for making the same. The catalyst is made by vaporizing an iron-containing compound that is capable of vaporization at a temperature below about 500.degree. C., and is capable of forming ferric oxide when reacted with an oxygen-containing atmosphere at temperatures below about 500.degree. C. The iron-containing compound is then oxidized in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. The ferric oxide burning rate catalyst made by this process is particularly adapted for use in a composite solid rocket propellant. This process provides an ultra pure, highly active, finely divided burning rate catalyst.

Abstract: The addition of copper phthalocyanine to composite solid propellant compositions has been found to substantially reduce the tendency toward combustion instability of the propellant. The invention is particularly useful in connection with smokeless composite propellants employing hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene as a binder.

Abstract: Metals such as copper and the transition elements may give rise to serious problems in conventional rubber based solid propellant binders. These metals may accelerate the curing action to such a degree that the pot life of the freshly mixed propellant is reduced. Also the metals may promote oxidative degradation of cured and uncured binder systems. These undesirable effects can be prevented by adding to the uncured binder certain binder soluble agents which are capable of forming stable complexes with the undesirable metals in which the valence of the metal ion is fixed. A wide variety of chelating agents can be used and include, particularly, the condensation products of salicylaldehyde with aliphatic di- and polyamines and with o-aminophenols.

Abstract: Certain surfactants as additives for castable composite solid propellants improve the physical properties of the cured solid propellant and improve the castability of the uncured solid propellant mix.

Abstract: Combustion catalysts for solid propellants are extracted with a solution comprising a solvent in which the catalyst is essentially insoluble and a solute which is an effective chelating agent for metal ions which are present as interfering impurities in the combustion catalysts. This treatment does not affect the activity of the catalyst as a combustion catalyst in a solid propellant; however, the removal of the metal ions greatly increases the pot life of the solid propellant composition prior to cure and enhances its stability after cure.