On-site Water-resistant Explosive via Polymer Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-site explosive manufacturing technologies face challenges in achieving low-density, water-resistant explosives with controlled density and consistency, particularly in environments with varying hydrostatic pressure, leading to issues like explosive column collapse and limited water resistance.
Innovation Solution
A method for continuous on-site manufacture of a water-resistant explosive using a non-explosive water-based matrix with a cross-linkable polymer, a gas-generating agent, and a cross-linking agent, which forms a three-dimensional polymer network to fix gas bubbles, provide mechanical strength, and prevent water ingress, allowing for controlled density and consistency adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gas bubbles are incorporated to reduce explosive density, then the explosive density decreases, but the explosive column becomes unstable and collapses under hydrostatic pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the cross-linking process to occur at a specific rate that allows gas bubbles to be fixed in place before the polymer network becomes too rigid. This temporal control of the cross-linking parameter enables the explosive to maintain low density while achieving sufficient structural stability to prevent column collapse under hydrostatic pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of a cross-linked polymer network embedded with gas bubbles within the explosive matrix. This composite structure provides both the low density desired from gas incorporation and the mechanical strength needed to maintain column stability, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If cross-linking is accelerated to improve explosive consistency, then the setting time decreases, but gas bubbles escape before being fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first incorporating the gas bubbles into the explosive matrix before initiating the cross-linking process. This sequence ensures that gas bubbles are properly distributed and trapped in the matrix structure before the cross-linking reaction begins, allowing the subsequent cross-linking to fix the bubbles in place rather than allowing them to escape during mixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action by controlling the cross-linking reaction to proceed at a specific rate that matches the gas bubble generation and stabilization process. This controlled temporal progression allows gas bubbles to be generated and distributed, then fixed in place as the cross-linking network develops, achieving both consistent explosive properties and proper gas bubble retention.
3Reliability
If high-temperature oxidizing salt solutions are used for on-site manufacture, then the explosive performance improves, but the transport and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the explosive manufacturing process into separate stages: transporting stable, non-explosive precursor materials to the site, then completing the explosive formation through controlled cross-linking at the destination. This segmentation allows high-performance explosives to be created without transporting hazardous high-temperature oxidizing salt solutions, reducing transport and handling complexity while maintaining explosive performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cross-linkable polymers and cross-linking agents as intermediary substances that enable the formation of high-performance explosives from stable precursor materials. These intermediaries allow the explosive transformation to occur at the site of use rather than during transport, eliminating the need to handle and transport high-temperature oxidizing salt solutions while still achieving the desired explosive performance.
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 method produces a low-density, water-resistant explosive with consistent properties throughout the blast hole, preventing column collapse and maintaining water resistance, even under varying hydrostatic pressures, while reducing raw material costs and simplifying transportation and handling.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-linking agent for cross-linking the polymer contained in the matrix... The presence of the polymer distributed uniformly in the matrix together with the cross-linking agent results in a three-dimensional network formed by molecular polymer chains bound to one another
Implementation Method 2
a gas bubble-generating agent... generating gas bubbles by means of said gas bubble-generating agent and cross-linking said polymer by means of said cross-linking agent within the mixture already introduced in the blast hole
Implementation Method 3
providing a physical barrier against external water making the explosive water-resistant enough so that the explosive can remain loaded in the blast hole for relatively long periods
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Manufacture is carried out in a continuous manner while simultaneously loading the blast holes in a device with mixing capability where (a) a less sensitive or non-explosive water- based matrix containing a cross-linkable polymer, (b) a cross- linking agent for cross-linking the polymer contained in the matrix, (c) a gas-generating agent, are mixed. The presence of the polymer distributed uniformly in the matrix together with the cross-linking agent results in a three-dimensional network formed by molecular polymer chains bound to one another in a short period of time after mixing. The process can be performed in trucks for loading explosives in blast holes having compartments for the different components of the mixture and one or several mixing devices allowing the manufacture of the final mixture which would be unloaded into the blast holes either by means of a pump or an auger.