Emulsion Explosive Pumpless Delivery via Residual Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing on-site explosive emulsion manufacturing and delivery systems require mechanical pumps for delivery, increasing safety risks and costs due to mechanical input during sensitization and delivery processes.

Innovation Solution

A pumpless delivery system utilizing residual pressure from the emulsion manufacturing process to non-mechanically convey the emulsion explosive, eliminating the need for mechanical pumps and reducing costs and safety risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a mechanical delivery pump is used to convey the emulsion explosive, then the emulsion can be delivered to the intended location, but safety risks increase due to mechanical input during sensitization and delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery safetyVSAvoidmechanical input risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mechanical delivery pump from the system entirely. Instead of using a pump to convey the emulsion explosive, the system relies on pressure differential created during the emulsion formation process itself to drive the material through the delivery line. This extraction of the mechanical pump eliminates the source of mechanical input that creates safety risks during sensitization and delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The emulsion formation process generates its own pressure differential that automatically drives the delivery of the explosive material. The system uses the pressure already present during emulsion creation to push the material through the delivery line without requiring additional mechanical pumping. This self-service approach eliminates the need for a separate delivery pump and its associated safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a mechanical delivery pump is used to convey the emulsion explosive, then delivery can be achieved, but costs significantly increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure generation system serves dual purposes: it creates the pressure necessary for emulsion formation and simultaneously provides the pressure differential needed for delivery. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate delivery pump, reducing system complexity and cost while maintaining effective delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If pre-determined pressure is used to convey oxidizer solution and fuel phase, then emulsion formation is achieved, but pressure must be sufficient for both formation and delivery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsion formation qualityVSAvoidpressure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed so that the pressure differential is established during the emulsion formation process itself, before delivery begins. By creating the pressure gradient as part of the formation process, the system ensures that sufficient pressure is available for both high-quality emulsion formation and subsequent delivery without requiring excessively high initial pressures.

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 system effectively delivers the emulsion explosive using residual pressure, enhancing safety by eliminating mechanical input and reducing costs associated with mechanical pumps.

Implementation Method 1

causing, non-mechanically, the fuel phase and at least a portion of the oxidizer solution phase to impinge one another with sufficient force to form an emulsion in the presence of the emulsifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpingement: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

shearing, non-mechanically, the emulsion for further refinement purposes and to obtain a desired viscosity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShearing: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

delivering, non-mechanically, the emulsion to a pre-determined location by utilizing a residual pressure from the steps of conveying, causing and shearing, the residual pressure being capable of delivering the emulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP1941231B1Method and system for manufacture and delivery of an emulsion explosive

Publication Date: 2013.10.30 ORICA NORWAY

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AI summary

A method for manufacture and delivery of an emulsion explosive having a discontinuous oxidizer solution phase, a continuous fuel phase, and an emulsifier, the method comprising: (a) providing an emulsion manufacturing system; (b) conveying an oxidizer solution phase to the emulsion manufacturing system at a pre-determined pressure; (c) conveying a fuel phase to the emulsion manufacturing system at a pre-determined pressure; (d) forming an emulsion from the oxidizer solution and the fuel phases using only a portion of the pre-determined pressures so as to provide a usable residual pressure after the formation of the emulsion; and (e) utilizing the residual pressure to non-mechanically deliver the emulsion to a pre-determined location.