Chemical Deactivating Agent for Explosive Cartridge Desensitization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for deactivating undetonated explosive charges, such as those used in mining and seismic exploration, face challenges including reliance on force-induced water contact or biological microorganisms, which can be impractical and pose environmental risks.

Innovation Solution

A chemical deactivating agent is used to render explosive compositions insensitive to detonation by causing structural changes, with the option to combine with microorganisms or environmental agents for enhanced desensitization, ensuring safety and environmental acceptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water is used to dissolve the explosive composition for deactivation, then the explosive is desensitised, but the method requires force-induced contact (percussion impact) to break the watertight seal, making it ineffective without applied force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeactivation reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system (force-induced water contact through percussion impact) with a chemical system (deactivating agent that chemically reacts with the explosive composition). The deactivating agent is contained in a sealed chamber that automatically releases upon detonator insertion, eliminating the need for external force application and ensuring reliable deactivation through chemical reaction rather than mechanical dissolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a deactivating agent as an intermediary substance between the detonator and the explosive composition. This agent is stored in a sealed chamber and automatically released when the detonator is inserted, serving as a mediator that chemically neutralizes the explosive without requiring external force or complex operational steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If micro-organisms are used for bio-remediation of explosive composition, then deactivation occurs, but care must be taken to maintain micro-organism activity and avoid environmental contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeactivation effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the biological system (micro-organisms requiring careful maintenance of activity and environmental controls) with a chemical system (deactivating agent). The chemical agent provides reliable and consistent deactivation through chemical reaction, eliminating the complexity of maintaining biological viability, providing nutrients, and preventing environmental contamination associated with micro-organism-based approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the deactivation mechanism from biological to chemical. By using a chemically-based deactivating agent instead of biologically-based micro-organisms, the system achieves simpler operation, more predictable performance, and no requirement for maintaining biological activity or preventing biological contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If a deactivating agent is provided in a sealed chamber, then the explosive remains stable during storage, but the chamber must be automatically breached upon detonator insertion to enable deactivation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexplosive stabilityVSAvoidcartridge assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the deactivating agent in a sealed chamber within the cartridge assembly during manufacturing. The chamber is designed to automatically breach upon detonator insertion through the capsule wall, ensuring the explosive remains stable during storage while enabling automatic deactivation when needed. This preliminary arrangement simplifies field operation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The chemical deactivating agent effectively renders explosive compositions safe by reducing detonation sensitivity, with the potential for environmental compatibility and reduced risk of leakage or biological contamination.

Implementation Method 1

exposing the explosive composition to a deactivating agent that renders the explosive composition insensitive to detonation... the deactivating agent is a chemical... the deactivating agent causes structural changes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9557149B2Deactivating an explosive composition using a chemical

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 ORICA EXPLOSIVES TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD

AI summary

A method of deactivating an explosive composition provided in an explosive cartridge, which method comprises exposing the explosive composition to a deactivating agent that renders the explosive composition insensitive to detonation, wherein the deactivating agent is a chemical.