Vertical Emulsion Explosive Transport via Gravity and Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical transport of emulsion explosives, such as down mine shafts, faces challenges in maintaining laminar flow and protecting the emulsion product from shearing and turbulent flow, which can lead to breakage during transport.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation for vertically transporting emulsion explosives by pumping a predetermined volume into a vertically extending pipe airtightly, then discontinuing pumping to allow the emulsion to travel under gravity, ensuring the emulsion remains intact and avoiding the introduction of air, which reduces damage and maintains laminar flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If emulsion explosive is pumped continuously under pressure through a vertical pipe, then delivery distance and control are improved, but the emulsion breaks up due to shearing and turbulent flow
Solution Approach 1:
The pump operates in periodic cycles: pumping phase to advance the emulsion column, followed by idle phase to allow pressure equalization and laminar flow establishment. This periodic operation prevents continuous high-pressure shearing that would break up the emulsion while still achieving the required delivery distance over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes a vacuum or reduced pressure environment in the pipe before pumping begins, and maintains pressure balance during pumping to prevent turbulent flow. This preliminary preparation counteracts the forces that would otherwise cause emulsion breakage during transport.
2Productivity
If pumping pressure is increased to maintain flow velocity, then productivity is improved, but emulsion explosive breaks up due to excessive shear stress
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining continuous high pressure for speed, the system uses periodic pumping with idle intervals. During pumping, moderate pressure advances the emulsion; during idle periods, pressure equalizes and laminar flow develops, preventing shear stress damage while maintaining overall transport productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pumping system dynamically adjusts pressure based on real-time conditions: applying pressure only when needed to advance the emulsion column, then releasing pressure to allow laminar flow. This dynamic pressure control maintains productivity while avoiding excessive shear stress that would damage the emulsion.
3Ease of operation
If air is introduced into the pipe during pumping, then pump operation is simplified, but emulsion explosive deteriorates due to oxidation and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates and maintains a vacuum or inert atmosphere within the pipe during the idle phase, preventing air from contacting the emulsion explosive. This inert environment protects the emulsion from oxidation and contamination while the pump operates, ensuring product integrity throughout the transport process.
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum or inert atmosphere is continuously maintained in the pipe during both pumping and idle phases, ensuring uninterrupted protection of the emulsion from air contact. This continuous protective action prevents oxidation and contamination without complicating pump operation.
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
This approach effectively prevents the breakage of emulsion explosives during transport, maintaining their integrity and ensuring safe and efficient delivery over long distances, such as beyond 500m, by using gravity-assisted flow after initial pumping.
Implementation Method 1
emulsion explosive travels along the pipe under force of gravity alone against vacuum suction generated between the pump, or a valve that separates the pump from the vertically extending pipe
Implementation Method 2
emulsion explosive travels along the pipe under force of gravity alone
Implementation Method 3
A challenge in vertical transport of emulsion explosives is therefore to maintain laminar flow of emulsion explosive under gravity force/hydrostatic pressure
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of vertically transporting emulsion explosive includes, using a pump, pumping a predetermined volume of emulsion explosive, from an emulsion explosive reservoir, into a vertically extending pipe, wherein pumping is effected airtightly at least between the pump and a downstream end of a volume of emulsion explosive that has been pumped into the vertically extending pipe for at least a part of the travel of emulsion explosive of the predetermined volume of emulsion explosive down the vertical pipe.