Homogenized Emulsion Explosive Bubble Migration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for delivering mechanically-gassed explosives face challenges with gas bubble migration and coalescence, leading to uneven distribution and potential undetonability of the explosive material.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a process of homogenization, which involves subjecting the emulsion explosive to shear stress, resulting in increased viscosity and stability, thereby reducing gas bubble migration and coalescence without the need for bubble stabilization agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas is introduced into the emulsion matrix to create sensitized emulsion explosive, then detonation capability is improved, but gas bubble migration and coalescence occur leading to uneven distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the viscosity of the emulsion matrix through homogenization processing. By increasing the viscosity parameter, the system prevents gas bubble migration and coalescence while maintaining the sensitized structure necessary for detonation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing homogenization processing on the emulsion matrix before introducing gas bubbles. This preliminary homogenization creates a uniform, high-viscosity matrix that prevents subsequent gas bubble migration and coalescence, ensuring even distribution throughout the explosive composition.
2Device complexity
If conventional emulsion explosive is used without homogenization, then gas bubbles migrate and coalesce, but the system is simpler without additional processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by applying homogenization to fundamentally alter the rheological properties of the emulsion matrix. This transforms the system from a low-viscosity, unstable medium prone to bubble migration into a high-viscosity, stable medium that maintains compositional uniformity.
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 homogenized emulsion explosive exhibits increased compositional stability, reduced gas bubble mobility, and improved detonation reliability, ensuring consistent performance in explosive applications.
Implementation Method 1
subjecting the emulsion explosive to shear stress, resulting in increased viscosity and stability
Implementation Method 2
introducing a gas into the emulsion matrix with which the emulsion matrix is combined to form a sensitized emulsion explosive
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for delivering explosive mixtures with gas bubbles that are resistant to in-borehole migration or coalescence are disclosed herein. Such explosive can be sensitized by mechanically introducing gas bubbles into the explosive matrix in a number of gassing stages. Resistance to gas bubble migration and coalescence without the need for bubble stabilization agents can be achieved by homogenization in a number of homogenizing stages.