Explosive Formulation for Reactive Ground Premature Detonation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in preventing premature detonation of ammonium nitrate-based explosive compositions when used in reactive ground, particularly at higher temperatures, due to the inherent sensitivity and reactivity with oxidizable materials like sulphides, which can lead to catastrophic events.
Innovation Solution
The development of an explosive formulation comprising a treatment component with an oxidant, such as sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide, applied sequentially to a blast hole to separate the oxidation of sulphides from the explosive, thereby preventing premature detonation. This formulation includes a blasting component with a nitrate-based explosive and optional inhibitors to minimize detonation risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If ammonium nitrate-based explosive compositions are used in reactive ground at higher temperatures, then the explosive power and effectiveness are improved, but the risk of premature detonation increases due to reaction with oxidizable materials like sulphides
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the explosive system into two separate components: a treatment component (oxidant) applied first to neutralize reactive ground, and a blasting component (explosive) loaded afterward. This temporal and spatial segmentation prevents contact between the explosive and oxidizable materials, eliminating the premature detonation risk while preserving explosive power when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment component is applied in advance to the blast hole to oxidize and neutralize reactive materials like sulphides before the explosive is loaded. This preliminary action creates a safe environment for subsequent explosive placement, preventing harmful reactions while allowing effective blasting when the explosive is finally detonated.
2Reliability
If standard inhibitors are used to prevent premature detonation, then the safety is improved, but the explosive may become unable to be detonated using standard detonation means
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for chemical inhibitors by extracting the harmful interaction entirely through sequential application. The oxidant is applied and allowed to react with reactive materials before the explosive is introduced, so no inhibitors are needed in the explosive formulation itself, preserving its full detonation capability while ensuring safety through process design rather than chemical modification.
3Productivity
If the oxidant and explosive are applied simultaneously, then the process efficiency is improved, but the risk of premature detonation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The loading process is segmented into distinct stages: first applying the treatment component, allowing it to react with reactive materials, then loading the blasting component. This segmentation prioritizes safety over speed in the initial stages, but the overall process remains efficient because the treatment component works continuously during the waiting period before explosive loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment component is applied and given time to neutralize reactive materials before the explosive is loaded. This preliminary action creates a safe window for explosive placement, ensuring that even though the process takes longer than simultaneous application, no premature detonation occurs and the subsequent blasting is highly effective.
4Reliability
If high quantities of inhibitors are used to prevent premature detonation in reactive ground, then the safety is improved, but the explosive formulation becomes too sensitive or unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful interaction between explosive and reactive ground by applying the oxidant separately beforehand. This eliminates the need to add large quantities of inhibitors to the explosive formulation, thereby maintaining the explosive's inherent stability and composition integrity while still preventing premature detonation through the sequential application process.
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 solution effectively delays the oxidation of sulphides, reducing the risk of premature detonation and allowing for safe loading and detonation of explosives in reactive ground, even at elevated temperatures, by separating the oxidation process from the explosive presence.
Implementation Method 1
separate in time the oxidation of sulphides and/or other oxidisable compounds in a blast hole drilled into reactive ground from the presence in the blast hole of the explosive product per se
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an explosive formulation for use in reactive ground, and methods and compositions for loading blast holes in reactive ground with such explosive formulations. The explosive formulation comprises: a treatment component, comprising an oxidant; and a blasting component, comprising an explosive.