Homogenizing Agent for Emulsion Explosive Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emulsion explosives require separate formulations for underground and surface applications, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing and potential over-blasting due to limited high-energy products, as well as challenges in retaining viscosity and shelf life.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for delivering explosives that includes a first reservoir for an emulsion matrix and a second reservoir for a homogenizing agent, where the emulsion matrix is mixed with the agent to create a homogenized product with increased viscosity, suitable for both underground and surface use, and can be sensitized for detonation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate formulations are used for underground and surface applications, then viscosity and shelf life requirements are met for each specific application, but manufacturing efficiency decreases and product variety is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the explosive formulation into two separate components: a base emulsion matrix and a homogenizing agent. The emulsion matrix can be produced once in large quantities with optimized performance characteristics, while the homogenizing agent is added in smaller amounts at the point of use to achieve the required viscosity for specific applications (underground or surface), eliminating the need to manufacture separate formulations for each application type.
Solution Approach 2:
The homogenizing function is extracted as a separate additive component rather than being integrated into the base emulsion formulation. This allows the core emulsion matrix to be standardized and produced efficiently, while the homogenizing agent provides the necessary viscosity modification when added to the explosive mixture, enabling a single base product to serve multiple application needs.
2Reliability
If a homogenizing agent is added to increase viscosity for underground applications, then retention in blastholes is improved, but shelf life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares the emulsion matrix in advance with optimal stability and shelf life characteristics, devoid of homogenizing agents that would degrade it. The homogenizing agent is then added just before use (preliminarily before the blasting operation) to achieve the required viscosity for underground application, ensuring both long shelf life during storage and proper retention characteristics when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The homogenizing agent is applied locally and selectively to the emulsion matrix at the point of use rather than being present throughout the entire product lifecycle. This localized addition ensures that the emulsion matrix maintains its stable, long-shelf-life properties during storage and transport, while acquiring the necessary viscosity and retention characteristics only when needed for underground blasting applications.
3Device complexity
If high-energy explosive products are limited in variety, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but over-blasting occurs due to inability to match specific application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables adjustment of explosive parameters (specifically viscosity and energy characteristics) by varying the amount and type of homogenizing agent added to the standardized emulsion matrix. This allows a single base high-energy explosive product to be adapted to different application requirements (different rock types, blast depths, environmental conditions) by modifying the formulation parameters, thereby preventing over-blasting without requiring multiple distinct high-energy product lines.
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
Enables the use of a single emulsion matrix for both underground and surface applications, maintaining shelf life and viscosity, and ensuring retention in blastholes without substantial reduction, thereby improving blasting efficiency and reducing product limitations.
Implementation Method 1
The homogenizing agent may assist in increasing the viscosity of the underground emulsion matrix when shear is applied on the underground emulsion matrix
Implementation Method 2
Some emulsion matrices may be configured for underground use (also referred to herein as an underground emulsion matrix) and some emulsion matrices may be configured for surface use
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for delivering explosives including homogenizing agents and methods of delivering explosives including homogenizing agents are provided. Methods of mixing homogenizing agents with emulsion matrices are also provided. The methods can include supplying an emulsion matrix, mixing a homogenizing agent with the emulsion matrix into a mixed product, and homogenizing the mixed product into a homogenized product. The homogenized product can be sensitized and/or conveyed to a blasthole.