Fuel for energetic compositions comprising caramel color bodies

Abstract

A fuel composition is disclosed that comprises insoluble caramel color bodies produced by the thermal degradation of carbohydrates. The fuel composition may be prepared using a carbohydrate such as a sugar and using an acid catalyst, such as using oxalic acid or citric acid. The fuel composition may be prepared by dissolving the carbohydrate in water to form a solution, and heating the solution over time so that a portion of the carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer. The solution is preferably heated until at least approximately 40% by weight of the carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer and is more preferably heated until it least approximately 50% by weight of the carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer. An explosive composition may be prepared by combining an oxidizer with caramel color bodies. The caramel color bodies are preferably non-hygroscopic, have a neutral pH, and have a high molecular weight.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An explosive composition, comprising: 
 an oxidizer; and    caramel color bodies, said caramel color bodies being insoluble in water.    
     
     
         2 . The explosive composition of  claim 1 , wherein said caramel color bodies comprise reaction products of a catalyst and a carbohydrate.  
     
     
         3 . The explosive composition of  claim 2 , wherein said catalyst comprises an acid.  
     
     
         4 . The explosive composition of  claim 2 , wherein said catalyst does not comprise one or more transition metal ions.  
     
     
         5 . The explosive composition of  claim 2 , wherein said catalyst is selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, and citric acid.  
     
     
         6 . The explosive composition of  claim 3 , wherein said acid comprises oxalic acid.  
     
     
         7 . The explosive composition of  claim 3 , wherein said acid comprises citric acid.  
     
     
         8 . The explosive composition of  claim 3 , wherein said carbohydrate comprises fructose.  
     
     
         9 . The explosive composition of  claim 1 , wherein said caramel color bodies are non-hygroscopic.  
     
     
         10 . The explosive composition of  claim 1 , wherein said caramel color bodies have a neutral pH.  
     
     
         11 . The explosive composition of  claim 1 , wherein said caramel color bodies comprise high molecular weight caramel color bodies.  
     
     
         12 . The explosive composition of  claim 1 , wherein said caramel color bodies have a molecular weight of at least approximately 10,000.  
     
     
         13 . The explosive composition of  claim 1 , wherein said oxidizer comprises potassium nitrate.  
     
     
         14 . A fuel composition, comprising insoluble caramel color bodies produced by the thermal degradation of carbohydrates.  
     
     
         15 . The fuel composition of  claim 14 , wherein a catalyst is used to catalyze said thermal degradation of carbohydrates.  
     
     
         16 . The fuel composition of  claim 15 , wherein said catalyst comprises an acid catalyst.  
     
     
         17 . The fuel composition of  claim 15 , wherein said catalyst does not comprise one or more transition metal ions.  
     
     
         18 . A method of preparing a fuel, comprising: 
 (a) combining a carbohydrate with an acid catalyst;    (b) heating said mixture until at least approximately 40% by weight of said carbohydrate is converted to an insoluble polymer;    (c) separating said insoluble polymer from said heated mixture;    (d) drying said separated insoluble polymer; and    (e) grinding said dried insoluble polymer to a desired size.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (a) comprises dissolving a sugar and said acid catalyst in water to form a solution.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said carbohydrate comprises a reducing sugar.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said catalyst selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, phosphoric acid, acetic acid, and citric acid.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (b) comprises heating said mixture until at least approximately 50% by weight of said carbohydrate is converted to said insoluble polymer.