Explosive mixtures containing readily gasified additives

Abstract

A readily gasified additive has been added to AN (ammonium nitrate) based bulk explosives (ANFO, emulsions, and combinations thereof) with positive results, due to the time, temperature, and pressure conditions generated in a blasthole. The preferred final explosive mixture is primarily comprised of AN, fuel oil, and a carbonaceous additive material that is characterized as being readily gasified as indicated by its rapid release of volatile materials and char formation, the high internal porosity and surface area of the base material and its char, and the uniform distribution of catalytic mineral matter throughout the material. It is understood that other readily gasified additives may be similarly effective.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally the field of explosive compositions and methods of formulating same. More particularly, the present invention relates to the incorporation of a non-explosive, carbonaceous additive into explosives, with the additive behaving as more than a diluent or filler, but rather imparting beneficial properties to a blast.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Blasting operations in mining conventionally use ANFO (a stoichiometric mix of Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil), AN- (ammonium nitrate) based emulsions, or mixes thereof, as their bulk explosives. Although ANFO and emulsions represent the vast majority of all explosives utilized globally, they have technical limitations, including limited control over velocities of detonation (VOD), potential for severe ground vibrations, periodic generation of toxic gases (NOx), etc. It should also be noted that these explosive materials represent a significant portion of operating expenses, an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]The present invention provides an AN-based explosive mixture, for example an ANFO- and / or emulsion-based explosive mixture, which has been modified with the incorporation of a readily gasified carbonaceous additive material. The present mixture is characterized by lower velocity of detonation, provides performance results similar to traditional explosives (specifically cast and fragmentation), has the ability to reduce NOx formation, and is less expensive and less subject to pricing fluctuations than presently available explosive compositions.

Problems solved by technology

Although ANFO and emulsions represent the vast majority of all explosives utilized globally, they have technical limitations, including limited control over velocities of detonation (VOD), potential for severe ground vibrations, periodic generation of toxic gases (NOx), etc.

It should also be noted that these explosive materials represent a significant portion of operating expenses, and are subject to supply shortages and sporadic pricing.

Images