US3925123A - Pourable aqueous blasting composition - Google Patents

Pourable aqueous blasting composition Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3925123A
US3925123A US514205A US51420574A US3925123A US 3925123 A US3925123 A US 3925123A US 514205 A US514205 A US 514205A US 51420574 A US51420574 A US 51420574A US 3925123 A US3925123 A US 3925123A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
composition
water
thickening
cross
pourable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US514205A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Harvey A Jessop
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ireco Inc
Original Assignee
Ireco Chemicals
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ireco Chemicals filed Critical Ireco Chemicals
Priority to US514205A priority Critical patent/US3925123A/en
Priority to RO7583395A priority patent/RO73936A/ro
Priority to SU752172906A priority patent/SU615846A3/ru
Priority to ZA00756087A priority patent/ZA756087B/xx
Priority to PL1975183736A priority patent/PL102607B1/pl
Priority to JP50122344A priority patent/JPS5852956B2/ja
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3925123A publication Critical patent/US3925123A/en
Assigned to IRECO INCORPORATED reassignment IRECO INCORPORATED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: IRECO CHEMICALS
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C06EXPLOSIVES; MATCHES
    • C06BEXPLOSIVES OR THERMIC COMPOSITIONS; MANUFACTURE THEREOF; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS EXPLOSIVES
    • C06B47/00Compositions 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
    • C06B47/14Compositions 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 comprising a solid component and an aqueous phase

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A water resistant, stable, pourable, aqueous blasting composition is provided which employes as its thickening system a combination of a non-cross-Iinked thickening agent and a small amount of a selfcomplexing thickening agent.
  • the composition is pourable from a package into receptacles as small as three inches in diameter or less.
  • the present invention relates to an aqueous explosive blasting composition of improved pourability. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aqueous explosive blasting composition having a continuous liquid phase, wherein the phase has a fudge point below intended temperatures of use and comprises an aqueous solution of inorganic oxidizer salt or salts containing a thickening system comprising a combination of a non-cross-linked thickening agent and a small amount of a self-complexing thickening agent.
  • This thickening system renders the composition pourable into receptacles as small as three inches in diameter or less while simultaneously rendering it stable and water resistant.
  • this thickening system reduces tackiness and imparts stringiness to the composition such that the composition does not unduly adhere to a package or lose its integrity during pouring.
  • the phrase as small as three inches in diameter or less means the composition must be pourable into a receptacle at least as small as three inches in diameter. According to the present invention, it is possible, however, to prepare effective blasting compositions which are pourable into diameters as small as one-inch or even one-half inch as a practical lower limit.
  • Blasting agents of the type commonly known as wa ter-bearing, aqueous or slurry explosive blasting compositions have come into prominent use in recent years.
  • Blasting agents of this type generally comprise a viscous, continuous fluid phase throughout which solid ingredients and gas bubbles may be dispersed,
  • such an agent may comprise an aqueous solution of inorganic oxidizer salts forming the continuous phase of the agent; solid ingredients dispersed throughout the solution such as undissolved oxidizer salts or particulate fuels such as aluminum, carbinaceous materials, sulfur, etc.; organic liquid fuels of either a watermiscible or immiscible nature such as alcohols, glycols, amides and analogous nitrogencontaining liquids generally having good solvent properties for the oxidizer salts and liquid hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, fuel oil, etc., respectively; thickening and cross-linking agents and, if desired, numerous, tiny, finely dispersed gas bubbles or microballoons
  • Aqueous blasting agents or compositions are usually thickened and thus rendered viscous by the inclusion of hydratable thickeners such as guar gum, starch, flour, etc.
  • Thickening is important for maintaining the homogeneity and integrity and thus stability of a composition.
  • compositions often contain numerous, finely dispersed gas bubbles which are produced either mechanically by entrainment during formulation or chemically by decomposition of a gassing agent which is included in the composition. Tiny, well-dispersed gas bubbles greatly contribute to a compositions sensitivity to detonation, and proper thickening inhibits bubble migration and coalescence which would reduce this sensitivity.
  • thickening inhibits finely divided and dispersed particulate fuel ingredients from gravitationally segregating in the composition. This segregation could reduce the compositions sensitivity and detonating ability.
  • proper thickening is extremely important with regard to composition stability.
  • a compositions stability can be and frequently is further enhanced by the inclusion of cross-linkers which cross-link the molecules of the thickening agent together thereby forming a chained molecular network which imparts a desired degree of firmness or rigidity to the composition.
  • cross-linkers which cross-link the molecules of the thickening agent together thereby forming a chained molecular network which imparts a desired degree of firmness or rigidity to the composition.
  • proper cross-linking can further enhance water resistance and further inhibit constituent migration, segregation and coalescence.
  • thickening agents For use in adverse environments such as water-containing boreholes or high-temperature boreholes where degradation of thickening agents may occur, relatively higher amounts of thickening agents are generally employed. In such situations, the thickening agents are usually cross-linked for added stability.
  • aqueous blasting compositions are those that they can be used in the presence of water provided they are properly thickened (and preferably cross-linked) so that breakup of the composition and leaching of the soluble oxidizer salts is prevented. These compositions can be formulated and pumped without protective packaging directly into water-containing boreholes.
  • U.S. Pat. No. 3,303,738 discloses a method by which on-site formulation and pumping of a composition into a borehole is accomplished. For use in water containing boreholes, such compositions have obvious advantages over non-slurry, non-water-resistant compositions such as ANFO which require waterproof packaging.
  • aqueous blasting agents have been packaged in stick-like form and used as a replacement for stick dynamite.
  • US Pat. No. 3,878,254 describes compositions adaptable for packaging
  • U.S.. Pat. No. 3,783,735 discloses an apparatus for preparing and packaging such compositions in stick form.
  • These packaged slurry explosives are generally used in boreholes too small in diameter for filling by direct pumping. Even when packaged, however, these explosives are generally sufficiently thickened for good water resistance in case the package becomes ruptured in a water-containing borehole. Such thickening is also important for the overall stability of the explosive. Normally, these packaged explosives are highly thickened and cross-linked and thus are in the form of a firm gel.
  • a packaged slurry explosive that can be poured from its package or container into a borehole or receptacle of desired diameter and shape.
  • This packaged blasting agent can be conveniently stored and transported in packages of desired size and then poured into the receptacle or borehole for use.
  • Packaged slurry adaptable for this use will be hereafter referred to as a pourable slurry or pourable blasting agent.
  • a pourable slurry must be fluid enough for pouring, but at the same time, be sufficiently thickened and cross-linked to be water resistant and stable. Thus the viscosity of the composition must be compromised in order to accomodate both pourability and water resistance and stability requirements.
  • aqueous blasting agents in general tend to be tacky, particularly those which are readily flowable, and thus tend to adhere to the inside of a package when poured, and since many such agents would tend to break apart and lose their integrity during pouring due in part to their adhesion to the package; it is important that the 3 pourable slurry not have undue tackiness and have sufficient stringiness in order that it will maintain its integrity when poured from the package. Stringiness prevents the slurry from tearing apart and also helps the slurry to pull itselfout of the package when it is poured.
  • vis-a-vis aqueous blasting agents in general, are their thickening and cross-linking characteristics with regard to pourability, water resistancy, tackiness. and stringiness.
  • a thickening system comprising a combination of a non-cross-linked thickening agent and a small amount of a self-complexing thickening agent is capable of providing a pourable slurry which is water resistant, stable and concomitantly pourable into receptacles three inches in diameter or lessv SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • the present invention comprises a water-resistant, thickened, aqueous, inorganic oxidizer salt-containing, fueled, explosive composition or blasting agent having a continuous liquid phase with a fudge point below intended temperatures of use and containing a thickening system comprising a combination of a non-cross-linked thickening agent and a small amount ofa self-complexing thickening agent, which combination renders the composition pourable into receptacles as small as three inches in diameter or less while simultaneously rendering the composition stable and water resistant.
  • compositions of the present invention contain inorganic oxidizer salts dissolved in an aqueous fluid phase.
  • the oxidizer salts are selected from the group which consists of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metal nitrates and perchlorates, e.g., sodium, calcium and ammonium nitrates and perchlorates. is essential that substantially all of the oxidizer salt remain in solution at intended temperatures of use of the composition, and, therefore, eutectic combinations of the salts are normally preferred.
  • two or more salts are generally present in the solution, for example, ammonium nitrate (AN) and sodium nitrate (SN) or AN, calcium nitrate (CN) and SN combinations.
  • AN ammonium nitrate
  • SN sodium nitrate
  • CN calcium nitrate
  • the total amount of salt which can be employed in the compositions and which will remain in solution at intended tmeperatures of use can vary substantially depending upon the total amount of water and amount and type miscible organic liquid used, if any, as well as the particular proportions and combinations of oxidizer salts themselves; generally from about 40 to about 70% by weight, based on the total composition, of total oxidizer salts are employed in the compositions of the present invention.
  • the examples given below illustrate several representative amounts and combinations of salts.
  • Water is an essential ingredient in the compositions since it functions as at least part of the solvent for the oxidizer salts and, by helping to maintain the salts completely in solution, provides sufficient fluidity to a composition to render it pourable.
  • the amount of water required for complete dissolution of the salts in the aqueous solution at intended temperatures of use depends upon that temperature and the various factors listed above and is easily determinable by one skilled in the art. Water is normally present in compositions of the present invention in amounts of from about 10 to about 40% by weight, and preferably greater than 20%.
  • a watermiscible organic liquid fuel be employed both as a fuel and as an additional solvent for the oxidizer salts. Because an organic liquid functions as an extender for water, in addition to its function as a fuel, its inclusion can generally increase the detonation energy of the composition since it can replace part of the water which in high amounts is detrimental to energy production.
  • Typical water-miscible organic liquid fuels are well known in the art and include alcohols, glycols, amides and analogous nitrogen-containing liquids. Several representative liquids are illustrated in the examples below. Such liquids are generally employed in amounts varying from 0 to about 20% by weight.
  • solid, particulate fuel ingredients common to the art are usually incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. These ingredients are normally added in amounts sufficient or in excess of that required to provide substantially an oxygen-balanced composition.
  • finely divided aluminum particles may be present in amounts of up to 40% by weight or more, although they would usually be present in lower amounts. They should be in finely divided form so as not to unduly interfere with the required fluidity or pourability of the composition.
  • the thickening system is the important concept of the present invention and comprises a combination of a non-cross-linked thickening agent and a small amount of a self-complexing thickening agent. This combination renders the composition pourable into receptacles three inches in diameter or less while simultaneously rendering it stable and water resistant.
  • the non-cross-linked thickening agent provides sufficient thickening to greatly contribute to overall stability and water resistance, but, since it is not cross-linked, the composition remains pourable.
  • An appropriate thickening agent or combination of non-cross-linked thickening agents may also impart high temperature (60) stability to the composition.
  • Typical non-crosslinked thickeners are well known in the art and include flours, starches, polysaccaride polymers such as guar gum, and synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamides or biopolymers. These thickening agents also perform the essential functions of holding in place finely dispersed, sensitizing gas bubbles and preventing substantial segregation of dispersed, particulate ingredients.
  • non-cross-linked thickening agent it is essential that sufficient non-cross-linked thickening agent is present to perform these functions, and it is essential that it not be cross-linked in order that the composition can remain pourable.
  • amount of non-cross-linked thickening agent required depends upon the desired physical characteristics and nature of the composition as determined by its ingredients and the type of thickening agent employed, generally from about 0.2 to about 6% by weight and preferably from about 1 to about 3% is employed.
  • a self-complexing thickening agent (generally a gum) is an essential ingredient of the invention since it is primarily responsible for imparting stringiness to the composition, and it also reduces tackiness which rende rs the composition more easily pourable from a package.
  • a minimum but limited degree of cross-linking is required for adequate stringiness and generally for good stability, and a self-complexing gum provides such cross-linking in an easily controllable amount.
  • Self-complexing or self-cross-linking" gum contains its own cross-linker which comes into effect when the gum is hydrated in solution. These gums are known in the art and typically include a powdered mixture of guar gum and cross-linker. Antimony, borate and chromate cross-linkers are typically used.
  • a preferred selfcomplcxing gum is Stein-Hall EX-23.” Other gums from the series can be used. General Mills also manufactures many self-complexing gums.
  • the self complexing thickening agent is generally present in an amount of from about 0.l to about 0.5% by weight and preferably from about 0.l to about 0.3%.
  • a self-complexing thickening agent reduces the total amount of thickeners required since it provides a limited but a necessary threshold amount of cross-linking. lt is extremely difficult by conventional means to control reliably the degree of cross-linking of an aqueous blasting agent where that degree must necessarily be maintained at a very small amount in order for the composition to be pourable. Thus it is difficult if not practicably impossible to add cross-linker to a thickened solution as a separate ingredient and attempt to limit the degree of cross-linking to a very small amount in order for a composition to remain pourable. However, if most of the thickening agent is non-crosslinked.
  • composition of the present invention (and compositions of the present invention in general) was (can be) prepared in the following manner: the oxidizer salts were dissolved in water to form a solution having a fudge point of approximately 0C. The solution was heated to about C or C and then the watermiscible liquid fuel and guar gum were added. The resulting solution mixture was allowed to thicken and was then mixed to homogeneity with the remaining ingredients including the self-complexing gum and starch thickeners. Mixing and pumping was accomplished by conventional means. This blasting agent had the following composition (percentages are by weight):
  • composition of this example is water resistant and is pourable from a polyethylene package having a diameter of five inches into a three inch diameter borehole or other receptacle.
  • the thickening system of this example comprising non-crosslinked guar gum, non-cross-linked starch, and self-complexing gum, is particularly effective.
  • This combination provides concomitantly high temperature (up to 60C) stability and low temperature (down to 5C) pourability.
  • the starch provides thickening which is stable at high temperatures; the non-cross-linked gum provides good overall thickening of the liquid phase without adversely affecting pourability; and the self-complexing gum reduces tackiness and imparts stringiness which enhances integrity during pouring and addes to overall water resistance.
  • EXAMPLE 2 Other compositions were prepared in the manner described above and have the fonnulations, properties and etonation results indicated in Table 1 below. All of these compositions are water resistant and capable of being effectively poured from a container such as a polyethylene bag into a receptacle as small as three inches in diameter or less. The compositions are not unduly tacky and have good stringiness and thus maintain their integrity during pouring.
  • compositions of the present invention can be packaged by conventional means in a container or package of essentially any desired size and shape. They are preferably packaged in an elongated or cylindrical polyethylene bag having an average cross-sectional diameter of about five to about seven inches.
  • the packaged composition generally has a safe, reliable storage life of up to about one year or more under reasonable storage conditions.
  • the package is opened or cut, usually at one end, and the composition poured" out of the package and into a desired receptacle.
  • compositions of the type shown in the above examples are pourable into two inch diameter receptacles. At 75,000 centipoises, the compositions are still pourable into 2% to 3 diameter receptacles.
  • a water resistant explosive composition which contains an aqueous inorganic oxidizer salt solution forming a continuous fluid phase throughout the eomposition and having a fudge point below intended temperatures of use of the composition; the improvement comprising a thickening system consisting essentially of a combination of non-cross-linked guar gum and starch and a small amount of a self-complexing thickening agent, which thickening system simultaneously provides water resistance, stability at temperatures as high as 60 C and pourability into receptacles as small as 3 inches in diameter or less at temperatures as low as 5 C 2.
  • a composition as defined by claim 1 wherein water is present in an amount of about 10 to about 40% by weight.
  • a composition as defined by claim 1 comprising about .2 to 3% by weight guar gum, about 0.5 to 2% starch and about 0.05 to about 0.25% of the self-complexing gum.
  • a composition as defined by claim 3 comprising about 40 to by weight of an inorganic oxidizer salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metal nitrates and perchlorates and mixtures thereof; about 10 to 40% water; from about 0 to about 20% of a water-miscible organic liquid fuel and from 0 to about 40% of particulate fuel.
  • an inorganic oxidizer salt selected from the group consisting of ammonium, alkali and alkaline earth metal nitrates and perchlorates and mixtures thereof.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
US514205A 1974-10-11 1974-10-11 Pourable aqueous blasting composition Expired - Lifetime US3925123A (en)

Priority Applications (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US514205A US3925123A (en) 1974-10-11 1974-10-11 Pourable aqueous blasting composition
RO7583395A RO73936A (ro) 1974-10-11 1975-09-15 Compozitie de explozivi aposi
SU752172906A SU615846A3 (ru) 1974-10-11 1975-09-19 Водонаполненный взрывчатый состав
ZA00756087A ZA756087B (en) 1974-10-11 1975-09-24 Pourable aqueous blasting composition
PL1975183736A PL102607B1 (pl) 1974-10-11 1975-10-02 Wodoodporna wybuchowa mieszanka kruszaca
JP50122344A JPS5852956B2 (ja) 1974-10-11 1975-10-09 含水爆発組成物とその製法

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US514205A US3925123A (en) 1974-10-11 1974-10-11 Pourable aqueous blasting composition

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3925123A true US3925123A (en) 1975-12-09

Family

ID=24046222

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US514205A Expired - Lifetime US3925123A (en) 1974-10-11 1974-10-11 Pourable aqueous blasting composition

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3925123A (ru)
JP (1) JPS5852956B2 (ru)
PL (1) PL102607B1 (ru)
RO (1) RO73936A (ru)
SU (1) SU615846A3 (ru)
ZA (1) ZA756087B (ru)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4033264A (en) * 1973-10-05 1977-07-05 Ici Australia Limited Explosive cartridge
US4207125A (en) * 1978-08-07 1980-06-10 Energy Sciences And Consultants, Inc. Pre-mix for explosive composition and method
US4416711A (en) * 1982-12-17 1983-11-22 Ireco Chemicals Perchlorate slurry explosive
FR2537571A1 (fr) * 1982-12-10 1984-06-15 Explosifs Prod Chim Bouillie inerte du type nitrate-fuel, explosif obtenu par incorporation d'air et procedes de fabrication
US4693765A (en) * 1986-05-22 1987-09-15 Stromquist Donald M Gel type slurry explosive and matrix and method for making same

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3617407A (en) * 1968-10-07 1971-11-02 Canadian Ind Aqueous slurry explosive containing a thickener of cross-linked galactomannan with psyllium flour
US3658607A (en) * 1969-04-25 1972-04-25 Intermountain Res & Eng High energy explosive compositions and method of preparation

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3617407A (en) * 1968-10-07 1971-11-02 Canadian Ind Aqueous slurry explosive containing a thickener of cross-linked galactomannan with psyllium flour
US3658607A (en) * 1969-04-25 1972-04-25 Intermountain Res & Eng High energy explosive compositions and method of preparation

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4033264A (en) * 1973-10-05 1977-07-05 Ici Australia Limited Explosive cartridge
US4207125A (en) * 1978-08-07 1980-06-10 Energy Sciences And Consultants, Inc. Pre-mix for explosive composition and method
FR2537571A1 (fr) * 1982-12-10 1984-06-15 Explosifs Prod Chim Bouillie inerte du type nitrate-fuel, explosif obtenu par incorporation d'air et procedes de fabrication
EP0113617A1 (fr) * 1982-12-10 1984-07-18 Societe Anonyme D'explosifs Et De Produits Chimiques Bouillie inerte du type nitrate-fuel, explosif obtenu par incorporation d'air, et procédés de fabrication
US4564404A (en) * 1982-12-10 1986-01-14 Societe Anonyme D'explosifs Et De Produits Chimiques Inert paste of the nitrate-fuel type, explosive product obtained therefrom by the incorporation of air and processes of manufacture thereof
US4416711A (en) * 1982-12-17 1983-11-22 Ireco Chemicals Perchlorate slurry explosive
US4693765A (en) * 1986-05-22 1987-09-15 Stromquist Donald M Gel type slurry explosive and matrix and method for making same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SU615846A3 (ru) 1978-07-15
RO73936A (ro) 1982-02-01
JPS5852956B2 (ja) 1983-11-26
JPS5163919A (ru) 1976-06-02
ZA756087B (en) 1976-09-29
PL102607B1 (pl) 1979-04-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4141767A (en) Emulsion blasting agent
US4104092A (en) Emulsion sensitized gelled explosive composition
US4585495A (en) Stable nitrate/slurry explosives
CA1155664A (en) Slurry explosive composition
US4231821A (en) Emulsion blasting agent sensitized with perlite
US5007973A (en) Multicomponent explosives
JPS61205690A (ja) 安定な硝酸塩/スラリー爆薬
CA1160847A (en) Blasting composition containing particulate oxidizer salts
US3249474A (en) Explosive composition containing inorganic salts and coated metal
US4207125A (en) Pre-mix for explosive composition and method
US3925123A (en) Pourable aqueous blasting composition
EP0059288B1 (en) Stabilization of water-bearing explosives having a thickened continuous aqueous phase
US4081299A (en) Aqueous explosive slurrie with inorganic peroxide sensitizer
US4058420A (en) Aqueous slurry explosives with colloidal hydrous metal oxide
US3282752A (en) Slurry type blasting agents
CA1166852A (en) Permissible slurry explosive
US3617407A (en) Aqueous slurry explosive containing a thickener of cross-linked galactomannan with psyllium flour
US4026738A (en) Stabilized, foamed water gel explosives and method
CA1069312A (en) Blasting composition containing calcium nitrate and sulfur
US4637848A (en) High density gel explosive
US4198253A (en) Explosive compositions containing sulphonated guar gum derivatives
US3629021A (en) Slurry explosive composition containing nitrogen-base salt and tnt, smokeless powder or composition b
US3728173A (en) Dense explosive slurry compositions of high energy containing a gum mixture
US3734864A (en) Aqueous gel for slurry explosives composition and method of preparing said gel
US3467559A (en) Method of preparing slurried explosives mixtures

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: IRECO INCORPORATED A CORP OF DE

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:IRECO CHEMICALS;REEL/FRAME:004350/0050

Effective date: 19840525