US3722410A - Method of petonating an ammonium nitrate-fuel oil composition with a number 6 cap - Google Patents

Method of petonating an ammonium nitrate-fuel oil composition with a number 6 cap Download PDF

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US3722410A
US3722410A US00079096A US3722410DA US3722410A US 3722410 A US3722410 A US 3722410A US 00079096 A US00079096 A US 00079096A US 3722410D A US3722410D A US 3722410DA US 3722410 A US3722410 A US 3722410A
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ammonium nitrate
cap
prills
explosive
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G Hurst
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KINEPAK Inc
Kinetics Corp
KINETICS INT CORP
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KINETICS INT CORP
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Assigned to KINEPAK, INC. reassignment KINEPAK, INC. CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). JANUARY 03, 1978 - DELAWARE Assignors: TYLER HOLDING COMPANY
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B60/00—Obtaining metals of atomic number 87 or higher, i.e. radioactive metals
    • C22B60/02—Obtaining thorium, uranium, or other actinides
    • C22B60/04—Obtaining plutonium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B31/00—Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt
    • C06B31/28—Compositions containing an inorganic nitrogen-oxygen salt the salt being ammonium nitrate
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06—EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06B—EXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B47/00—Compositions in which the components are separately stored until the moment of burning or explosion, e.g. "Sprengel"-type explosives; Suspensions of solid component in a normally non-explosive liquid phase, including a thickened aqueous phase
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S102/00—Ammunition and explosives
    • Y10S102/705—Separated explosive constituents

Definitions

  • An economical and effective explosive composition is manufactured by combining appropriate proportions of activated ammonium nitrate, a fuel and preferably a sensitizer.
  • the preferred fuel is a liquid hydrocarbon derivative or a liquid or solid hydrocarbon derivative which is soluble in the sensitizer and which has a fuel value greater than that of the sensitizer.
  • the preferred sensitizers are nitroalkane, or dinitroaromatic compounds most preferably nitromethane.
  • the explosive composition is made more effective through an activation procedure upon the ammonium nitrate.
  • the ammonium nitrate utilized with the present invention is in the form of prills, porous spherical pellets. These prills can be activated by adding a small amount of water to the prills, thoroughly mixing the water so that it is all absorbed, heating the prills to an elevated temperature, evaporating the water from the prills, and then preferably cooling the prills.
  • a cap for example a number 6 cap
  • the composition will not detonate upon explosion of the number of 6 cap.
  • the cap for such an explosive is positioned above the liquid level, detonation may or may not occur.
  • the undesirable effect of this phenomenon is that in the normal use of explosives such care in positioning the number 6 cap cannot and is not always taken, thus occasionally resulting in nondetonation upon explosion of the number 6 cap.
  • Such an occurrence is undesirable from a safety standpoint, and from the standpoint of the manufacturer who is desirable of producing an explosive which will detonate under any condition with a number 6 cap.
  • an explosive which is sensitive to a number 6 blasting cap.
  • an explosive composition which can be shipped in commerce as a nonexplosive. It is further desirable to have an explosive which is a two component explosive, preferably one being a liquid component and the other being a solid component. It is further desirable to possess a two component explosive composition which is mixed by the ultimate consumer or by a local distributor which can be easily mixed and combined. It is also desirable to possess a two component explosive, one component being liquid, the other component being solid which has a low cost while remaining number 6 cap sensitive.
  • the present invention broadly provides an economical, low cost, number 6 cap sensitive, explosive composition which can be shipped in commerce in two components, one liquid and one solid, and which can be easily mixed at the use situs. Certain preferable forms of the two component explosive are self-mixing, thus requiring no shaking or physical interrnixing of the two components.
  • the present invention therefore, provides a method of producing activated ammonium nitrate prills comprising combining a nondissolving proportion of a solvent for ammonium nitrate with ammonium nitrate prills, heating the prills to an elevated temperature, and evaporating substantially all of the solvent from the prills.
  • the invention provides an explosive mixture detonable by a commercial number 6 cap comprising activated ammonium nitrate prills and a fuel selected from hydrocarbon derivatives having an oxygen equivalent weight less than about 4 grams per equivalent, preferably less than about 3.5 grams per equivalent and most preferably less than about 3 grams per equivalent.
  • a sensitizer selected from an organic compound 7 containing nitrogen-oxygen bonds preferably a lower nitroaromatic compound or a nitroalkane, most preferably nitromethane, can be substituted for or used conjunctively with the fuel.
  • the invention provides a container for the solid component of the two component mixture comprising an enclosure for holding a predetermined amount of solid component of an explosive mixture, and means in said enclosure for admitting a liquid component thereto.
  • the method for detonating the two component explosive mixture of the present invention comprises adding to'the activated ammonium nitrate prills a liquid component selected from a hydrocarbon derivative having an equivalent weight less than about 4 grams per oxygen equivalent, an organic compound containing nitrogen-oxygen bonds, or mixtures of the foregoing compounds.
  • FIG. 1 is a graph of number 6 cap detonable compositions prepared in accord with the invention.
  • FIGS. 2 through 6 are containers for the solid component of the two component explosive of the present invention.
  • the present invention has three aspects.- The first is the provision of a two component explosive which is composed of a liquid component and a solid component. Each of these components forms a non-cap sensitive composition which can be shipped in commerce without the normal restrictions and expense ap plied to compositions rated as explosives.
  • the second portion of this invention relates to containers for one component of the explosive, which containers provide an easy means of combining and interrnixing the two nonexplosive components to form an explosive composition.
  • the third portion of the invention relates to the activation of the solid component of the two component explosive. By activation it is meant making the explosive composition more sensitive to detonation by a low energy cap such as a number 6 explosive cap.
  • the preferred explosive composition includes a first liquid fuel and sensitizer component which can be conveniently stored and transported in a bottle or other container to its site of use.
  • the liquid component of the explosive of the present invention preferably comprises a first composition supplied primarily as a fuel and a second composition provided primarily for its sensitizing effect on the solid component of the explosive of the present invention.
  • the sensitizing component is preferablypresent; however, as will be seen later,'for certain levels of activation of the solid component no sensitizer is necessary.
  • the sensitizing component includes the organic compositions containing relatively substantial amounts of nitrogen and oxygen bonded together.
  • the preferred compositions containing N-O bonds are the nitroalkane compositions which have three carbon atoms or less and the dinitroaromatic single ring compounds. Most preferably nitromethane and the dinitroto'luene oils are utilized.
  • the fuel component of the preferred form of the present invention must be one which is soluble in the sensitizing composition or nitroalkane composition.
  • the preferable fuel compositions which are mutually soluble in the nitroalkanes and dinitrotoluene oils include the aromatic hydrocarbons, particularly those having less than about nine carbon atoms. Examples of these aromatics are benzene, toluene, the xylenes (including o-, mand pxylene, and ethylbenzene) and other alkyl substituted benzene compositions. It has further been found that high molecular weight aromatic compositions such as aromatic petroleum naphthas are also particularly effective for use as a fuel with the liquid component of the explosives mixture.
  • All of the fuel compositions need not be of high purity, as commercial grades of these difierent compositions will effectively formulate to produce an explosive composition.
  • An example of a petroleum naphtha which will effectively produce an explosive composition is one sold under the trade name SC-150, available from Texas Solvents, Dallas, Texas.
  • oxygenated and nitrogenated organic compounds such as the lower alcohols, esters, ketones, acids, aldehydes, ethers, and amines will also provide an explosive mixture in combination with a nitroalkane or dinitrotoluene sensitizer.
  • certain lower aliphatic compounds and mixtures such as gasoline will also provide a sufficiently active fuel to produce an explosive composition which is detonable with a number 6 explosive cap if they are used within their solubility limits or are further solubilized by an oxygenated organic compound such as butyl acetate.
  • the fuel composition should have a weight of less than about 4 grams per equivalent, preferably less than about 3.5 grams, and most preferably less than about 3 grams.
  • the solid component of the explosive mixture of the present invention is composed of ammonium nitrate.
  • Ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer is commercially available in the form of prills, porous spherical particles.
  • ammonium nitrate prills have a density commonly greater than about 0.80 grams per cc.
  • their oil retention, calculated as hereinafter set out, is generally about 10 percent or less by weight.
  • FIG. 1 is a plot of certain compositions containing lightly activated ammonium nitrate prills found to be detonable by a number 6 cap.
  • Theordinate in FIG. 1 is a scale from 0 to 100 of oxygen equivalents of nitromethane per 100 equivalents of ammonium nitrate.
  • the abscissa is a plot of oxygen equivalents of xylene per 100 equivalents of ammonium nitrate.
  • the 45 line between lOO on each of the ordinate and abscissa is the oxygen balance line, meaning that no excess of xylene and nitromethane is present in relation to the ammonium nitrate oxidizer for compositions falling on the 45 line.
  • the composition labeled C" would not be an optimal explosive for moving objects such as boulders, tree stumps or the like.
  • the explosive mixture labeled C" does have substantial brisance, that is, the shattering or crushing effect of the explosive composition.
  • Such a composition as is labeled C when exploded in near proximity to a boulder of, for example limestone or granite, will shatter the boulder into a number of small pieces. This effect is, of course, desirable in many quarrying operations.
  • hydrocarbon-nitroalkane-ammonium nitrate compositions or hydrocarbon-dinitroaromatic hydrocarbonammonium nitrate compositions are detonable with a number 6 cap which heretofore have been thought to be detonable only with a much larger cap or primer charge.
  • Such compositions using nitromethane, xylene and lightly activated ammonium nitrate prills are labeled as A, B, C, D, and E on the plot in FIG. 1. These compositions were activated with 0.5 percent by weight water in accord with the present invention as set forth below.
  • compositions not detonable by a number 6 cap using similarly activated ammonium nitrate, are labeled F, G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, Q, and R.
  • a mixture of nitromethane alone labeled P" on the diagram containing about 52 equivalents of nitromethane per 100 equivalents of ammonium nitrate is also detonable with a number 6 cap.
  • this composition is less desirable than, for example, composition E since it is not near the oxygen balance line.
  • Composition P is also less desirable because nitromethane and other nitroalkanes are much more expensive than are the aromatic hydrocarbon fuels.
  • composition labeled 0" which is oxygen balanced only with nitromethane is not detonable by a number 6 cap for all cap positions.
  • compositions labeled R, S and T on FIG. 1 containing only xylene are not detonable with a number 6 cap.
  • compositions containing lightly activated ammonium nitrate prills the polygon A, C, D, E, F, G, H, .l' and K are detonable with a number 6 cap.
  • those compositions containing more than about 50 equivalents of nitromethane per equivalents of ammonium nitrate corresponding to the compositions above the line I, L and yet within the aforementioned polygon are less desirable because the composition becomes too wet. That is, the lightly activated ammonium nitrate cannot absorb all of the liquid fuel including nitromethane and xylene which are required to bring it within the appropriate compositional mixture.
  • the number 6 cap is not capable of detonating the mixture. However, if the number 6 cap is placed above the free liquid level line, the number 6 cap may detonate those compositions within the polygon L, I, J, K. Those compositions falling within the smaller polygon B, C, D, E, F, G, H, l are the most preferred since they all are very near the oxygen balance line and also comprise a mixture which is not at all wet, that is, does not contain excess free liquid component.
  • compositions falling within the yet smaller polygon G, H, I, M are the most preferred since they are essentially self mixing, that is, the capillary action and absorptivity of the ammonium nitrate coupled with these fuel compositions will completely permeate the ammonium nitrate without leaving any free liquid and without the necessity for shaking, stirring, or any sort of mixing.
  • Those compositions within the polygon B, C, D, E, F, M do require some shaking or mixing prior to attempting a detonation with a number 6 cap.
  • the areas within the polygons of FIG. 1 represent only the initial preferred limits of the invention for minimally activated ammonium nitrate prills.
  • Compositions containing amounts of nitromethane and xylene outside the polygons can be made to work depending upon the degree of activation of the ammonium nitrate as will be explained hereinafter.
  • the activation procedure is a relatively simple operation which can be performed on any commercial ammonium nitrate prill.
  • the activation procedure includes adding a very minor proportion of water to ammonium nitrate prills, heating them to an elevated temperature, and drying the prills to a water content substantially the same as that originally present in the ammonium nitrate prills.
  • the water which can be added originally to the ammonium nitrate prills can range generally between about 0.3 percent by weight and 6 percent by weight. If much less than 0.3 percent by weight of water is added to the prills, followed by the subsequent heating and drying, little or no activation of the ammonium nitrate takes place. If much greater than 6 percent by weight of wateris added to the ammonium nitrate prills, undesirable dissolution of the prills in the water begins to take place. Such dissolution is not desirable since it is imperative to retain the prills in their original spherical form. A most preferred amount of water to be added to the ammonium nitrate prills will range between about 0.5 percent to about percent by weight.
  • Preferred temperatures to which the ammonium nitrate prills are heated and at which they are dried ranges from about 40 C. to about 130 C.
  • the prills are dried to a moisture content of less than about 0.2 percent by weight and preferably to less than 0.1 percent by weight.
  • composition labeled T which is straight xylene mixed with ammonium nitrate, will not detonate with a number 6 cap using normal commercially available or lightly sensitized ammonium nitrate prills.
  • composition T is detonable with a number 6 cap.
  • the oil retention of the prills can be increased to greater than about 10 percent by weight. Preferably, oil retention is increased to greater than about percent by weight.
  • the prills are then heated to an elevated temperature, the water on the interior of the pn'lls contacting the walls of the voids and interstices can dissolve and solubilize greater and greater amounts of the ammonium nitrate.
  • capillary action drives liquid containing solubilized ammonium nitrate to the exterior of the prills.
  • the water is then evaporated from the exterior of the ammonium nitrate prills redepositing ammonium nitrate on the exterior surface of the prills, thus leaving larger voids and interstices in the prills while physically increasing the size ammonium nitrate, it is not intended that the disclosure and invention should be limited by this theory.
  • grams having an initial moisture content as purchased of about 0.1 percent is placed in a glass beaker.
  • Five grams of water (0.5 percent by weight based on the amount of ammonium nitrate) is added to and thoroughly mixed with the ammonium nitrate prills.
  • the prills and intermixed water are then placed in an oven and heated to a temperature of about 80 C.
  • the prills are maintained at that temperature for about 30 minutes until they are dried to a moisture content of less than 0.2 percent.
  • the prills are then removed from the oven and cooled to room temperature.
  • the oil retention of the original ammonium nitrate prills is about 10 percent.
  • the oil retention of the prills after undergoing the foregoing treatment is about 20 percent.
  • the above treated sample weighing about 1,000 grams, is mixed with about 40 grams of xylene, commercial grade, and about 185 grams of nitromethane, commercial grade.
  • the ammonium nitrate is .selfwetting, i.e., capillary action and the absorptivity of the ammonium nitrate prills cause the liquid to travel throughout and completely wet the prills without shaking or mixing.
  • the resulting explosive mixture is formed into a charge and a number 6 cap connected to a 1 minute fuse is inserted into the mixture.
  • the mixture is placed on a limestone boulder (having a size of approximately 2 cubic yards).
  • the charge detonates with a loud report and substantial brisance.
  • the charge shatters the boulder into particles having a mean diameter of less than about 5 inches.
  • Test A is so plotted and identified in FIG. 1.
  • Example 11 The activation procedure of Example 11 is repeated utilizing 1,000 grams of the same ammonium nitrate prills. In this example, 50 grams of water percent by weight) are added and thoroughly mixed with the ammonium nitrate prills. The prills are then placed in an oven and heated to a temperature of about 60 C. The prills are maintained at that temperature for about 30 minutes and until they are dried to a moisture content of about 0.1 percent. The prills are then removed from the oven and cooled to room temperature.
  • the original density of the prills is 0.89 grams per cc.
  • the density after beingsubjected to the foregoing activation procedure is 0.56 grams per cc.
  • the original oil retention of the ammonium nitrate prills is about percent whereas the oil retention of the thus activated ammonium nitrate prills is about 30 percent by weight.
  • the activated ammonium nitrate prills weighing 1,000 grams, are mixed with about 25 grams of xylene.
  • the xylene is thoroughly inten'nixed with the ammonium nitrate prills.
  • the resulting mixture is formed into a charge and a number 6 cap is inserted into the mixture and connected to a 1 minute fuse.
  • the charge is placed on a limestone boulder of approximately 1 cubic yard. Upon exploding the number 6 cap, the charge detonates with a loud report and shatters the boulder into particles having a mean diameter of about 10 inches.
  • Example IV The procedure of Example 111 is repeated except that the activated ammonium nitrate prills are admixed with about 10 grams of toluene and about 150 grams of nitromethane.
  • Example III The procedure of Example III is repeated except that the activated ammonium nitrate prills are admixed with about grams of nitropropane. The results upon detonation with a number 6 cap are substantially the same as those obtained in Example IV.
  • Example VI The procedure of Example [1, composition A, is repeated except that 40 grams of benzene is substituted for the 40 grams of xylene. Upon exploding a number 6 cap in the mixture, the results are substantially the same as Example II.
  • Example VII The procedure of Example V1 is repeated substituting 40 grams of toluene for the benzene. Upon detonation with a number 6 cap, the results are substantially the same as those obtained'in Example V1.
  • EXAMPLE VIII The activation procedure of Example 11, composition A, is repeated except that 10 grams of water are added to 1,000 grams of explosive grade ammonium nitrate prills (1 percent by weight based on the original prills). The water is thoroughly admixed with the ammonium nitrate. The mixture is then placed in an oven and heated to a temperature of about 100 C. The prills are maintained at that temperature for about 30 minutes and dried to a moisture content of less than 0.1 percent. The prills are then removed from the oven and cooled to room temperature. The original density of the prills is 0.89 grams; the density after being subjected to the foregoing treatment is about 0.68 grams. The original oil retention of the ammonium nitrate prills is about 10 percent. The oil retention after being subjected to the foregoing activation procedure is about 25 percent.
  • ammonium nitrate prills still weighing about 1,000 grams, is mixed with 40 grams of xylene and of nitromethane.
  • the ingredients readily self-mix.
  • the resulting mixture is formed into a charge and a number 6 cap connected to a 1 minute fuse is inserted into the mixture.
  • the charge is placed on a limestone boulder of about 2 cubic yards in size. Upon exploding the number 6 cap, the charge detonates with a loud report and substantial brisance. The charge shatters the boulder into particles having a mean diameter of less than about 6 inches.
  • Example IX The procedure of Example I1, composition A, is repeated except that 20 grams of water (2 percent by weight) are added to the ammonium nitrate prills.
  • the original density and oil retention of the ammonium nitrate prills is 0.89 grams per cc and percent, respectively.
  • the density is 0.62 grams per cc and the oil retention is about 27 percent.
  • the resultant mixture Upon being mixed with 40 grams xylene and 130 grams nitromethane, the resultant mixture is formed into a charge and detonated with a number 6 cap.
  • the charge detonates with a loud report and shatters a limestone boulder of about 2 cubic yards into particles having a mean diameter of less than about 6 inches.
  • EXAMPLE XII The procedure of Example 11, composition A, is again repeated except that 60.7 grams of ethyl alcohol (same oxygen balance as 40 grams of xylene) are substituted for the xylene. Upon detonating with a number 6 cap, only a partial detonation is obtained. Thus ethyl alcohol is inferior to xylene, although usable for certain applications.
  • Example XIV The procedure of Example IX is repeated utilizing 40 grams of xylene and 130 grams of nitromethane. The resultant mixture is formed into a charge and placed at the center of a steel plate about 2' square. The plate is supported at its four comers approximately 6" above the ground. Upon exploding the number 6 cap, the charge detonates with a loud report, produces a large indentation in the steel plate and causes the plate to spall on the side opposite from that on which the charge exploded. The explosive mixture has substantial power.
  • EXAMPLE XV To illustrate that an activation by the method disclosed herein will take place totally within the ammonium nitrate phase above 32.1 C., 1,000 grams of ammonium nitrate is placed in an oven in a glass beaker at 45 C. The initial moisture content of the ammonium nitrate is about 0.1 percent. The sample is left in the oven for 24 hours to assure that most of the sample has been converted to the crystalline phase above 32 C. After 24 hours at 45 C., 10 grams ofhot water (74 C.) is admixed with the hot ammonium nitrate prills. The sample is immediately returned to the oven where it is dried for 1 hour at 80 C. until the moisture content is below 0.2 percent by weight.
  • the 1,000 gram sample is mixed with 185 grams of nitromethane and 40 grams of xylene.
  • the mixture is shaped into a charge and a number 6 cap inserted therein. While still above 32 C. the cap is exploded detonating the mixture. An excellent report is obtained.
  • a cubic yard boulder is shattered by the charge into pieces having a mean diameter less than about 4 inches.
  • the original density of the prills prior to undergoing the activation procedure outlined above is about 0.89 grams per cc. After the activation procedure, the prills have a density of about 0.78 grams per cc., thus indicating activation has taken place.
  • Example XVI The procedure of Example IX is repeated this time substituting about 53 grams of butyl acetate for the 40 grams of xylene. The mixture detonates upon explosion of a number 6 cap. A one cubic yard boulder upon which the charge is placed is shattered into pieces having a mean diameter of less than about 6 inches. The explosion has substantial brisance.
  • Example XVII The procedure of Example IX is repeated substituting 152 grams of dinitrotoluene oil and 10 grams of aromatic naphtha (SC-150) for the nitromethane and xylene. Substantially the same results are obtained.
  • Example XVIII The procedure of Example II is repeated with all compositions found to be detonable with a number 6 cap in Examples II through XVII substituting nonactivated explosive grade ammonium nitrate prills manufactured by the Gulf Oil Company. All of the mixtures, except composition P, fail to detonate with number 6 cap.
  • Example XIX The procedure of Example XVIII is repeated substituting unactivated fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate v prills supplied by the Gulf Oil Company. In each case the mixtures, except composition P, fail to detonate with a number 6 cap.
  • Example XX The procedure of Example VIII is repeated substituting 1,000 grams of explosive grade ammonium nitrate prills available from the Gulf Oil Company. Substantially the same results are obtained.
  • Example XXI The procedure of Example VIII is repeated substituting 1,000 grams of fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate for the explosive gade ammonium nitrate. Substantially the same results are obtained.
  • Example Ill The procedure of Example Ill is repeated on compositions 8 and T of FIG. 1 utilizing 1,000 grams of ammonium nitrate, dried at 75 C. Both of the composi tions detonated with substantial brisance upon explosion of a number 6 cap therein.
  • a number of containers especially adaptable to the two component explosive of the present invention.
  • the liquid component containing the fuel or fuel and sensitizer mixture is held in a separate container and shipped separately to the site of use.
  • the ammonium nitrate prills are shipped in a distinct container which generally has the shape of the charge to be used.
  • the shape of the charge depends upon the particular application to which the explosives will be put.
  • An explosive of this type can be formed into a shaped charge for use in shattering and breaking boulders and the like.
  • the ammonium nitrate container in addition to being shaped in the form of the desired charge, must have thecapability of providing for easy mixing of a two component explosive.
  • the containers described below can be manufactured from any suitable material. Most effective are moldable, thermosetting or thermoplastic materials such as polystyrene, polyethylene or polyamide materials. These materials can be molded to form a container of the appropriate, shape.
  • FIG. 2 is a partially broken away view of an explosive device which can be utilized primarily for demolition purposes.
  • a container portion 10 having a shape generally that of a spherical segment contains ammonium nitrate prills.
  • the rim of the container 10 has molded therein a groove 12 for receiving a circular lip 14 contained on lid 16.
  • a press fit between the groove 12 and the circular lip 14 is provided to allow good seal during shipping for the container. It is desirable that the container provide as a good seal since ammonium nitrate is somewhat hygroscopic. Absorption of significant amounts of water will detrimentally affect the performance of the ammonium nitrate.
  • the lid 16 has formed therein a conically shaped member 18 which extends into the ammonium nitrate.
  • the conically shaped member 18 is provided to shape or direct the explosion of the explosive composition as it is detonated.
  • the lid 16 is removed from the container 10.
  • the liquid component is spread over the surface of the. ammonium nitrate contained in the container 10 and the lid replaced.
  • a number 6 cap can be placed on the ammonium nitrate by insertion through a hole or opening 20 provided with a suitable sealing member, such as plug 22, and thereafter detonated by exploding the number 6 cap.
  • the cap can be inserted in the ammonium nitrate prior to replacing the lid 16. In such a case a small slot 24 in the lip 14 is provided for fuse access to the cap.
  • a charge in the shape of a stick is provided with a cylindrical body member 26 for holding ammonium nitrate prills.
  • the cylindrical member 26 has sealingly attached thereto a cap 28 having a plurality of small openings 30 therein.
  • the small openings 30 are sealed by utilizing a flexible substantially planar member 32 having an adhesive on one face 34 which contacts the lid 28 to cover the holes 30.
  • a tab 36 is provided for ease of removal of the sealing member 32.
  • the liquid component of the explosive is poured over and into the holes. Itcan then penetrate the entire length of the stick 26 to be absorbed on the ammonium nitrate contained therein.
  • a number6 cap is inserted through one of the holes and the sealing member 34 is replaced as far as possible on the lid member 28. The explosives charge is then detonated by exploding the number 6 cap.
  • FIG. 4 another embodiment of a container to be utilized with the two component explosive of FIGS. 2 and 3 is illustrated. It combines features of both of the containers described above.
  • a container member or enclosure 40 is provided with a lid member 42 sealingly attached around the rim thereof.
  • the lid 42 contains a plurality of holes 44 which are sealed or closed by a flexible sealing member 46 containing an adhesive on the side thereof which contacts the lid member 42.
  • the lid member 42 has formed or molded therein a conical member 48 which is provided to shape the explosive charge.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate still another embodiment of the casing or enclosure which can be utilized with the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows a container having a shape substantially that of a spherical segment 50.
  • a lid or cap 52 is afiixed to the segment 50 after the ammonium nitrate is placed in the segment.
  • the cap 52 has a conically shaped charge indentation 54 molded therein.
  • the center of container 50 has an opening 56 therein into which a sealing cap or plug can be inserted.
  • the liquid component of the explosive is poured into the opening 56 and travels along a path illustrated by arrows 58.
  • the container is then inverted.
  • the liquid which has not been completely absorbed by the time it reaches the bottom of the container 52 will then travel along the path indicated by arrows 60 so that it can be completely absorbed.
  • Homogeneous mixing in this device can be further improved by providing a ring 60 of a highly permeableor open pored sponge like material centered around hole 56 adjacent to casing segment 50.
  • the ring can be made for instance, of any open pore, foamed material, such as foamed polyethylene.
  • a second hole 62 is provided for injection of the liquid component into the ring material. The liquid component then flows rapidly to all parts of the ring and subsequently passes uniformly into the solid component present in the casing.
  • the hole 56 is still used for insertion of a blasting cap.
  • a method for detonating a two component explosive mixture consisting essentially of:
  • a liquid sensitizer selected from a lower nitroalkane and dinitrotoluene oil and a liquid fuel selected from a hydrocarbon derivative having an oxygen equivalent weight of less than about 4 grams per oxygen equivalent, contacting the ammonium nitrate prills with an explosive cap having a rating at least equal to a commercial number 6 cap, and
  • ammonium nitrate has an oil retention of greater than about percent by weight.
  • said fuel is selected from aromatic hydrocarbons having less than about nine carbon atoms and petroleum .naphtha's.
  • liquid sensitizer is selected from a nitroalkane having less than about four carbon atoms and dinitrotoluene oil.
  • a method of detonating a two-component explosive mixture comprising:
  • activated ammonium nitrate prills which have a density of less than about 0.80 .grams per cubic centimeter and an oil retention of greater than about 10 percent-by weight, nitromethane as a liquid sensitizer and xylene as a fuel; contacting the resulting ammonium nitrate prills with an explosivecap having a rating equal to a commercial No. 6 cap; and exploding the cap, thereby detonating said mixture.
  • a method of detonating a two-component explosive mixture comprising:
  • nitromethane and xylene to activated ammonium nitrate prills which have a density of less than about 0.80 grams per cubic centimeter and an oil retention of greater than about 10 percent by weight, said nitromethane and xylene being added in quantities of less than about 20 percent of an oxygen balancing amount of nitromethane and greater than about 60 percent of an oxygen balancing amount of xylene;
  • a method of detonating a two-component explosive mixture comprising:
  • liquids selected from xylene and nitromethane to activated ammonium nitrate prills which have a density of less than about 0.80 grams per cubic centimeter to form an explosive mixture having a composition within the area founded by the polygon A, C, D', E, F, G; H, J, K;
  • a method of detonating a two-component explosive mixture consi'stin essentially of:
  • ammonium nitrate prills which have a density of less than about 0.80 grams per cubic centimeter and an oil retention of greater than about 10 percent by weight, a liquid comprising a fuel selected from a hydrocarbon derivative having an oxygen equivalent weight less than about 4 grams per equivalent to cause absorption of said liquid by said prills;
  • said fuel is selected from aromatic hydrocarbons having less than about nine carbon atoms and petroleum naphthas.
  • a method of detonating a two-component explosive mixture consisting essentially:
  • activated ammonium nitrate prills which have a density of less than about 0.80 grams per cubic centimeter and an oil retention of greater than about 10 percent by weight a liquid comprising an organic compound containing N-O bonds to cause absorption of said liquid by said prills; contacting the resulting ammonium nitrate prills with ari-explosive cap having a rating at least equal to a commercial No. 6 cap; and exploding the cap, thereby detonating said mixture.
  • said compound is selected from a nitroalkane having less than about four carbon atoms and dinitrotoluene oil.

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US00079096A 1970-10-08 1970-10-08 Method of petonating an ammonium nitrate-fuel oil composition with a number 6 cap Expired - Lifetime US3722410A (en)

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AR (1) AR205684A1 (es)
CA (1) CA964468A (es)
DE (1) DE2149978A1 (es)
FR (1) FR2112974A5 (es)
GB (1) GB1361265A (es)
HK (1) HK20376A (es)
IL (1) IL37869A0 (es)
MY (1) MY7600118A (es)
NO (1) NO130471C (es)
OA (1) OA03812A (es)
ZA (1) ZA716212B (es)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4105251A (en) * 1977-07-29 1978-08-08 Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Dispersion of catalysts with explosives for in situ mining of carbonaceous minerals
US4543220A (en) * 1984-04-16 1985-09-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Process for unitary shaped-charge structure
EP0304179A1 (en) * 1987-08-21 1989-02-22 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Shaped primer
US5230841A (en) * 1977-08-02 1993-07-27 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft Method for preparation of porous propellants
US5675119A (en) * 1994-08-12 1997-10-07 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Granular ammonium nitrate explosive
US7954433B1 (en) * 2008-07-24 2011-06-07 Matt Bradley Barnett Explosive shaped charge device
US9175933B2 (en) * 2014-02-21 2015-11-03 The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Simple low-cost hand-held landmine neutralization device

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA557407A (en) * 1958-05-13 Fokker Herman Method of separating the fractions of a gaseous mixture in a gas rectifying system
US3035948A (en) * 1959-04-29 1962-05-22 Phillips Petroleum Co Gelled nitroalkane propellants
US3288867A (en) * 1965-02-17 1966-11-29 Commercial Solvents Corp Stable nitromethane composition
US3318741A (en) * 1965-04-08 1967-05-09 Commercial Solvents Corp Thickened nitroparaffin containing stabilizer
US3397095A (en) * 1966-12-14 1968-08-13 American Cyanamid Co Gelled aqueous explosive composition having hydrogen cyanamide as antifreezing agent
US3430582A (en) * 1967-08-11 1969-03-04 Weldon F Appelt Railway supporting box beam building construction
US3475236A (en) * 1968-04-17 1969-10-28 Seispower Corp Non-aqueous cap-sensitive explosive containing gelled nitromethane and inorganic nitrate oxidizer salt
GB1189585A (en) * 1967-08-15 1970-04-29 Canadian Ind Method of Blasting and a Borehole Liner for Use in said Method.
US3546034A (en) * 1968-06-19 1970-12-08 Commercial Solvents Corp Ammonium nitrate-nitromethane type blasting agent containing urea as a crystallization inhibitor

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA557407A (en) * 1958-05-13 Fokker Herman Method of separating the fractions of a gaseous mixture in a gas rectifying system
US3035948A (en) * 1959-04-29 1962-05-22 Phillips Petroleum Co Gelled nitroalkane propellants
US3288867A (en) * 1965-02-17 1966-11-29 Commercial Solvents Corp Stable nitromethane composition
US3318741A (en) * 1965-04-08 1967-05-09 Commercial Solvents Corp Thickened nitroparaffin containing stabilizer
US3397095A (en) * 1966-12-14 1968-08-13 American Cyanamid Co Gelled aqueous explosive composition having hydrogen cyanamide as antifreezing agent
US3430582A (en) * 1967-08-11 1969-03-04 Weldon F Appelt Railway supporting box beam building construction
GB1189585A (en) * 1967-08-15 1970-04-29 Canadian Ind Method of Blasting and a Borehole Liner for Use in said Method.
US3475236A (en) * 1968-04-17 1969-10-28 Seispower Corp Non-aqueous cap-sensitive explosive containing gelled nitromethane and inorganic nitrate oxidizer salt
US3546034A (en) * 1968-06-19 1970-12-08 Commercial Solvents Corp Ammonium nitrate-nitromethane type blasting agent containing urea as a crystallization inhibitor

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4105251A (en) * 1977-07-29 1978-08-08 Standard Oil Company (Indiana) Dispersion of catalysts with explosives for in situ mining of carbonaceous minerals
US5230841A (en) * 1977-08-02 1993-07-27 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft Method for preparation of porous propellants
US4543220A (en) * 1984-04-16 1985-09-24 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Process for unitary shaped-charge structure
EP0304179A1 (en) * 1987-08-21 1989-02-22 Imperial Chemical Industries Plc Shaped primer
US5675119A (en) * 1994-08-12 1997-10-07 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Granular ammonium nitrate explosive
US5728969A (en) * 1994-08-12 1998-03-17 Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Preparation of AN-DNT-Al explosive
CN1063415C (zh) * 1994-08-12 2001-03-21 三菱化学株式会社 炸药
US7954433B1 (en) * 2008-07-24 2011-06-07 Matt Bradley Barnett Explosive shaped charge device
US9175933B2 (en) * 2014-02-21 2015-11-03 The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Simple low-cost hand-held landmine neutralization device
US9506729B2 (en) 2014-02-21 2016-11-29 The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Field mixable two-component liquid explosive
US9797693B1 (en) 2014-02-21 2017-10-24 The United States Of America, As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Adjustable stand for holding a liquid explosive

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DE2149978A1 (de) 1972-04-13
GB1361265A (en) 1974-07-24
SU438174A3 (ru) 1974-07-30
ZA716212B (en) 1973-02-28
NO130471C (es) 1974-12-18
NO130471B (es) 1974-09-09
HK20376A (en) 1976-04-15
CA964468A (en) 1975-03-18
AU3404271A (en) 1973-04-05
FR2112974A5 (es) 1972-06-23
MY7600118A (en) 1976-12-31
AR205684A1 (es) 1976-05-31
OA03812A (fr) 1971-12-24
IL37869A0 (en) 1971-12-29

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