Experimental Study on Ammonium Nitrate(V)-based Solid Propellants for Fracturing Wells

This paper investigates the possibility of using ammonium nitrate(V)-based solid propellants for fracturing wells in borehole mining. Various modified propellant compositions with ammonium nitrate(V) and polyurethanes were prepared. Using laboratory rocket motors (LRMs) and underwater tests in pressure chambers, the energetic parameters (i.e., maximum pressure of the gaseous products and pressure impulse) for the selected AN-propellants were determined. Furthermore, thermodynamic analyses for these propellants were performed. The influence of the proposed additives on the energetic parameters (i.e., calorific value and specific energy) was shown. The gas volume generated per unit volume of propellant, which is an important parameter in the process of hydraulic fracturing, was estimated.