Fireproof Pyrotechnics (Desensitizing Ignition of Energetic Materials when Exposed to Accidental Fire)
- Technology Benefits
- Increasedsafety against accidental fire during transport, storage, and use of thesematerialsIfnot exposed to accidental fire, they will perform as designed whenintentionally ignited
- Technology Application
- MilitaryPoliceMiningand quarryingPyrotechnicsand fireworksOiland gas exploration
- Detailed Technology Description
- Researchers at INL havedeveloped methods for rendering CEMs inherently resistant to accidentalignition by fire while maintaining normal functionality under intentional activation.This is achieved by incorporating an additive that breaks down at the lowertemperatures and heating rates associated with a fire, rendering the CEM incapableof detonation. The additive doesn’t have time to break down under the muchhigher heating rates of intentional ignition.
- Others
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LICENSINGOPPORTUNITY:
IdahoNational Laboratory (INL) and its M&O Contractor Battelle Energy Alliance,LLC (BEA) are currently looking for commercialization partner(s) interested inentering into a license agreement for the purpose of commercializing thetechnology described below.
INTELLECTUALPROPERTY STATUS:
US Patent Application No. 14/811,703, “Methods ofReducing Ignition Sensitivity of Energetic Materials, Methods of FormingEnergetic Materials Having Reduced Ignition Sensitivity, and Related EnergeticMaterials,” filed on 7-28-15, BEA Docket No. BA-843.
DEVELOPMENTSTATUS:
This technology has been tested and validated at thebench scale. Additional development will be required to demonstrate a pilotscale process. BEA may be in a position to support additional research anddevelopment of this technology under a mutually acceptable Cooperative Research& Development Agreement (CRADA), Strategic Partnership Projects (SPP)agreement, or a similar agreement, all of which are subject to approval by DOE.
Fact Sheet:https://factsheets.inl.gov/FactSheets/fire-proof-pyrotechnics.pdf
Publications:
- Paper:“Desensitizingignition of energetic materials when exposed to accidental fire,” FireSafety Journal, August 2015, pp 39-43
- Paper:“Nanocompositesfor Underwater Deflagration,” Advanced Materials andProcesses; Vol 167, issue 10
- *Abstract
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TECHNOLOGYMARKETING SUMMARY:
Composite energeticmaterials (CEM) are mixtures of discretely separated fuel and oxidizermaterials that combine to produce highly exothermic reactions. CEMs are highlycustomizable, making them extremely useful for many applications, includingpyrotechnics, primers for high explosives, and fuels for thrusters, and aidsfor welding. Their widespread integration in industry makes their potential forunintentional ignition a serious safety concern.
Accidental explosions inpyrotechnic plants and markets have resulted in several catastrophic eventscausing significant loss of life and property, and unplanned detonationcontinues to be a major risk associated with transport, handling, and storageof these materials. Current methods for mitigating that risk include limitingquantities and carefully guarding transport and usage.
- Country/Region
- USA
