WO2010105306A1 - Bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives - Google Patents

Bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010105306A1
WO2010105306A1 PCT/AU2010/000320 AU2010000320W WO2010105306A1 WO 2010105306 A1 WO2010105306 A1 WO 2010105306A1 AU 2010000320 W AU2010000320 W AU 2010000320W WO 2010105306 A1 WO2010105306 A1 WO 2010105306A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bladder
tank
emulsion explosive
inlet
outlet
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2010/000320
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Marc Rancourt
Original Assignee
Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd
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 Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd filed Critical Orica Explosives Technology Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2010105306A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010105306A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42B—EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, e.g. FOR BLASTING, FIREWORKS, AMMUNITION
    • F42B39/00—Packaging or storage of ammunition or explosive charges; Safety features thereof; Cartridge belts or bags
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F42—AMMUNITION; BLASTING
    • F42D—BLASTING
    • F42D1/00—Blasting methods or apparatus, e.g. loading or tamping
    • F42D1/08—Tamping methods; Methods for loading boreholes with explosives; Apparatus therefor
    • F42D1/10—Feeding explosives in granular or slurry form; Feeding explosives by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives.
  • Emulsion explosives for example blends of ammonium nitrate with oil, are often delivered to blast holes in underground mines by "pumpless" pressure pot systems.
  • the emulsion explosive is stored in situ in the underground mine in a pressure pot, and is expelled through delivery hoses into the blast holes by injecting compressed mine air into the pressure pot directly onto the head of the emulsion explosive inside the pressure pot.
  • An advantage of pressure pot systems is that they avoid the need to use expensive, heavy-duty pumps to pump the emulsion explosive into the blast holes.
  • pressure pot systems expose the emulsion explosive to dirt, moisture, rust and other air contaminants that are typically present in compressed mine air. The resulting contamination degrades the safety and performance of the emulsion explosive.
  • Another disadvantage of pressure pot systems is that they have a low expulsion pressure and thus require high-pressure water injectors in their delivery hoses to form a lubricating annulus of water around the emulsion explosive between the interior diameter of the delivery hoses.
  • a bladder tank system having a pressure tank enclosing a flexible bladder for isolatedly containing an emulsion explosive, wherein the bladder has an inlet/outlet communicating with a first opening in the tank for charging the bladder with the emulsion explosive and for discharging the emulsion explosive from the bladder, and wherein the tank has a pressurant inlet for charging the tank exteriorly of the bladder with a pressurant to collapse the bladder and thereby expel the emulsion explosive therefrom.
  • the bladder can have an overflow for overflowing the emulsion explosive from the bladder during charging thereof to prevent or minimise air bubbles from forming inside the bladder, wherein the overflow is spaced apart from the inlet/outlet and communicates with a second opening in the tank spaced apart from the first opening.
  • a perforated guard can be positioned across the inlet/outlet for preventing the bladder from collapsing outside the tank.
  • the system can further include one or more delivery hoses communicating with the inlet/outlet for respectively delivering the emulsion explosive to one or more blast holes.
  • the one or more delivery hoses can respectively have a selected interior diameter so that the emulsion explosive is respectively flowable therethrough without lubrication.
  • the selected interior diameter can be between 19 and 32 mm.
  • the emulsion explosive can have a selected viscosity so as to be respectively flowable through the one or more delivery hoses without lubrication.
  • the selected viscosity can be between 20000 and 35000 centipoise (cP).
  • the system can further include an external frame for surrounding and supporting the tank.
  • the present invention also provides a method of storing and delivering an emulsion explosive using a bladder tank system as defined above.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic piping and instrumentation diagram of an embodiment of a bladder tank system of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a shaft-loading embodiment of the bladder tank system.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a bladder tank system 10 of the invention.
  • the system 10 includes a pressure tank 12 enclosing a flexible bladder 14 for isolatedly containing an emulsion explosive, for example a blend of ammonium nitrate with oil.
  • the tank 12 is made of, for example, stainless steel.
  • the bladder 14 is made of, for example, nitrile rubber.
  • the bladder 14 has an inlet/outlet 16 communicating with a first opening in the tank 12 for charging the bladder 14 with the emulsion explosive and for discharging the emulsion explosive from the bladder 14.
  • the inlet/outlet 16 is formed, for example, by sealing a neck of the bladder 14 to a flanged lower opening in the tank 12.
  • a perforated guard 18 is positioned across the inlet/outlet 16 for preventing the bladder 14 from collapsing outside the tank 12.
  • the bladder 14 is charged with the emulsion explosive through the inlet/outlet 16 via charge line 20 and valved port 22.
  • the emulsion explosive is pumped to the valved port 22 from a gravity tank (not shown) by a diaphragm pump (not shown).
  • the bladder 14 has an overflow 24 for overflowing the emulsion explosive from the bladder 14 during charging thereof to prevent or minimise air bubbles from forming inside the bladder 14.
  • the overflow 24 is spaced apart from the inlet/outlet 16 and communicates with a second opening in the tank 12 spaced apart from the first opening.
  • the overflow 24 is formed, for example, by sealing a neck of the bladder 14 to a flanged upper opening in the tank 12.
  • a perforated guard is optionally positioned across the overflow 24 for preventing the bladder 14 from collapsing outside the tank 12.
  • Emulsion explosive overflowing through the overflow 24 is returned to the gravity tank (not shown) via overflow line 26 and valved port 28.
  • the tank 12 has a pressurant inlet 30 for charging the tank 12 exteriorly of the bladder 14 with a pressurant to collapse the bladder 14 and thereby expel the emulsion explosive therefrom through the inlet/outlet 16.
  • the tank 12 also has a pressurant outlet 32 for purging residual pressurant from the tank 12.
  • the pressurant is, for example, compressed mine air provided by, for example, an air compressor or a compressed air system of an underground mine (not shown).
  • the compressed mine air is selectively provided to the pressurant inlet 30 via air line 34 which includes inlet valve 36, filter 38, pressure gauge 40, pressure regulator/gauge 42, charge/purge valve 44, and relief valve 46.
  • the charging of the tank 12 with compressed mine air provides the motive energy to collapse the bladder 14 and thereby positively expel the emulsion explosive therefrom.
  • the fluidic isolation of the driving compressed mine air inside the tank 12 from the emulsion explosive inside the bladder 14 prevents contaminants in the compressed mine air, for example dirt, moisture, rust and other air contaminants, from contacting and contaminating the emulsion explosive and degrading its safety and performance.
  • Expelled emulsion explosive is provided from the inlet/outlet 16 to a delivery hose 48 via delivery line 50 which includes valves 52, 54.
  • Valve 52 selectively isolates delivery hose 48 from the inlet/outlet 16 for maintenance.
  • Valve 54 is remotely actuatable pneumatically or electronically, for example, via a wireless receiver and transmitter 56, 58 to deliver the emulsion explosive into a blast hole (not shown).
  • a wireless receiver and transmitter 56, 58 to deliver the emulsion explosive into a blast hole (not shown).
  • a single delivery hose and line is illustrated, but multiple, for example three to five, delivery hoses and lines are optionally provided for respectively delivering the emulsion explosive to multiple blast holes.
  • the delivery hose 48 has a selected interior diameter, for example between 19 and 32 mm, so that the emulsion explosive is flowable therethrough without water lubrication.
  • the emulsion explosive has a selected viscosity, for example between 20000 and 35000 centipoise (cP), so that it is flowable through the delivery hose 48 without water lubrication.
  • Emulsion explosive is purged from the delivery hose 48, for example at the end of shifts, by blowdown air which is selectively provided to the delivery hose 48 via valve 60 and blowdown line 62 which branches off air line 34.
  • Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the bladder tank system 10 configured for shaft- loading in underground mining operations.
  • the system 10 includes an external frame 64 for surrounding and supporting the tank 12.
  • the system 10 may also be alternatively configured for other applications, for example, underground lateral development and surface mining operations.
  • embodiments of the invention provide a "pumpless" delivery solution for emulsion explosive which advantageously prevents compressed air contamination and avoids the need for water lubrication.

Abstract

A bladder tank system having a pressure tank enclosing a flexible bladder for isolatedly containing an emulsion explosive, wherein the bladder has an inlet/outlet communicating with a first opening in the tank for charging the bladder with the emulsion explosive and for discharging the emulsion explosive from the bladder, and wherein the tank has a pressurant inlet for charging the tank exteriorly of the bladder with a pressurant to collapse the bladder and thereby expel the emulsion explosive therefrom.

Description

BLADDER TANK SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING EMULSION EXPLOSIVES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Emulsion explosives, for example blends of ammonium nitrate with oil, are often delivered to blast holes in underground mines by "pumpless" pressure pot systems. The emulsion explosive is stored in situ in the underground mine in a pressure pot, and is expelled through delivery hoses into the blast holes by injecting compressed mine air into the pressure pot directly onto the head of the emulsion explosive inside the pressure pot. An advantage of pressure pot systems is that they avoid the need to use expensive, heavy-duty pumps to pump the emulsion explosive into the blast holes.
However, a major disadvantage of pressure pot systems is that they expose the emulsion explosive to dirt, moisture, rust and other air contaminants that are typically present in compressed mine air. The resulting contamination degrades the safety and performance of the emulsion explosive. Another disadvantage of pressure pot systems is that they have a low expulsion pressure and thus require high-pressure water injectors in their delivery hoses to form a lubricating annulus of water around the emulsion explosive between the interior diameter of the delivery hoses.
What is needed is a "pumpless" delivery solution for emulsion explosives which addresses the above difficulties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a bladder tank system having a pressure tank enclosing a flexible bladder for isolatedly containing an emulsion explosive, wherein the bladder has an inlet/outlet communicating with a first opening in the tank for charging the bladder with the emulsion explosive and for discharging the emulsion explosive from the bladder, and wherein the tank has a pressurant inlet for charging the tank exteriorly of the bladder with a pressurant to collapse the bladder and thereby expel the emulsion explosive therefrom.
The bladder can have an overflow for overflowing the emulsion explosive from the bladder during charging thereof to prevent or minimise air bubbles from forming inside the bladder, wherein the overflow is spaced apart from the inlet/outlet and communicates with a second opening in the tank spaced apart from the first opening.
A perforated guard can be positioned across the inlet/outlet for preventing the bladder from collapsing outside the tank.
The system can further include one or more delivery hoses communicating with the inlet/outlet for respectively delivering the emulsion explosive to one or more blast holes.
The one or more delivery hoses can respectively have a selected interior diameter so that the emulsion explosive is respectively flowable therethrough without lubrication. The selected interior diameter can be between 19 and 32 mm.
The emulsion explosive can have a selected viscosity so as to be respectively flowable through the one or more delivery hoses without lubrication. The selected viscosity can be between 20000 and 35000 centipoise (cP).
The system can further include an external frame for surrounding and supporting the tank. The present invention also provides a method of storing and delivering an emulsion explosive using a bladder tank system as defined above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic piping and instrumentation diagram of an embodiment of a bladder tank system of the invention; and Figure 2 is a perspective view of a shaft-loading embodiment of the bladder tank system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a bladder tank system 10 of the invention. The system 10 includes a pressure tank 12 enclosing a flexible bladder 14 for isolatedly containing an emulsion explosive, for example a blend of ammonium nitrate with oil. The tank 12 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The bladder 14 is made of, for example, nitrile rubber.
The bladder 14 has an inlet/outlet 16 communicating with a first opening in the tank 12 for charging the bladder 14 with the emulsion explosive and for discharging the emulsion explosive from the bladder 14. The inlet/outlet 16 is formed, for example, by sealing a neck of the bladder 14 to a flanged lower opening in the tank 12. A perforated guard 18 is positioned across the inlet/outlet 16 for preventing the bladder 14 from collapsing outside the tank 12.
The bladder 14 is charged with the emulsion explosive through the inlet/outlet 16 via charge line 20 and valved port 22. The emulsion explosive is pumped to the valved port 22 from a gravity tank (not shown) by a diaphragm pump (not shown). The bladder 14 has an overflow 24 for overflowing the emulsion explosive from the bladder 14 during charging thereof to prevent or minimise air bubbles from forming inside the bladder 14. The overflow 24 is spaced apart from the inlet/outlet 16 and communicates with a second opening in the tank 12 spaced apart from the first opening. The overflow 24 is formed, for example, by sealing a neck of the bladder 14 to a flanged upper opening in the tank 12. Although not shown, a perforated guard is optionally positioned across the overflow 24 for preventing the bladder 14 from collapsing outside the tank 12. Emulsion explosive overflowing through the overflow 24 is returned to the gravity tank (not shown) via overflow line 26 and valved port 28.
The tank 12 has a pressurant inlet 30 for charging the tank 12 exteriorly of the bladder 14 with a pressurant to collapse the bladder 14 and thereby expel the emulsion explosive therefrom through the inlet/outlet 16. The tank 12 also has a pressurant outlet 32 for purging residual pressurant from the tank 12. The pressurant is, for example, compressed mine air provided by, for example, an air compressor or a compressed air system of an underground mine (not shown). The compressed mine air is selectively provided to the pressurant inlet 30 via air line 34 which includes inlet valve 36, filter 38, pressure gauge 40, pressure regulator/gauge 42, charge/purge valve 44, and relief valve 46.
The charging of the tank 12 with compressed mine air provides the motive energy to collapse the bladder 14 and thereby positively expel the emulsion explosive therefrom. The fluidic isolation of the driving compressed mine air inside the tank 12 from the emulsion explosive inside the bladder 14 prevents contaminants in the compressed mine air, for example dirt, moisture, rust and other air contaminants, from contacting and contaminating the emulsion explosive and degrading its safety and performance.
Expelled emulsion explosive is provided from the inlet/outlet 16 to a delivery hose 48 via delivery line 50 which includes valves 52, 54. Valve 52 selectively isolates delivery hose 48 from the inlet/outlet 16 for maintenance. Valve 54 is remotely actuatable pneumatically or electronically, for example, via a wireless receiver and transmitter 56, 58 to deliver the emulsion explosive into a blast hole (not shown). For clarity only a single delivery hose and line is illustrated, but multiple, for example three to five, delivery hoses and lines are optionally provided for respectively delivering the emulsion explosive to multiple blast holes.
The delivery hose 48 has a selected interior diameter, for example between 19 and 32 mm, so that the emulsion explosive is flowable therethrough without water lubrication. The emulsion explosive has a selected viscosity, for example between 20000 and 35000 centipoise (cP), so that it is flowable through the delivery hose 48 without water lubrication.
Emulsion explosive is purged from the delivery hose 48, for example at the end of shifts, by blowdown air which is selectively provided to the delivery hose 48 via valve 60 and blowdown line 62 which branches off air line 34.
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the bladder tank system 10 configured for shaft- loading in underground mining operations. The system 10 includes an external frame 64 for surrounding and supporting the tank 12. The system 10 may also be alternatively configured for other applications, for example, underground lateral development and surface mining operations.
It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention provide a "pumpless" delivery solution for emulsion explosive which advantageously prevents compressed air contamination and avoids the need for water lubrication.
The embodiments have been described by way of example only and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A bladder tank system having a pressure tank enclosing a flexible bladder for isolatedly containing an emulsion explosive, wherein the bladder has an inlet/outlet communicating with a first opening in the tank for charging the bladder with the emulsion explosive and for discharging the emulsion explosive from the bladder, and wherein the tank has a pressurant inlet for charging the tank exteriorly of the bladder with a pressurant to collapse the bladder and thereby expel the emulsion explosive therefrom.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the bladder has an overflow for overflowing the emulsion explosive from the bladder during charging thereof to prevent or minimise air bubbles from forming inside the bladder, and wherein the overflow is spaced apart from the inlet/outlet and communicates with a second opening in the tank spaced apart from the first opening.
3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, further including a perforated guard positioned across the inlet/outlet for preventing the bladder from collapsing outside the tank.
4. A system according to any preceding claim, further including one or more delivery hoses communicating with the inlet/outlet for respectively delivering the emulsion explosive to one or more blast holes.
5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the one or more delivery hoses respectively have a selected interior diameter so that the emulsion explosive is respectively flowable therethrough without lubrication.
6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the selected interior diameter is between 19 and 32 mm.
7. A system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the emulsion explosive has a selected viscosity so as to be respectively flowable through the one or more delivery hoses without lubrication.
8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the selected viscosity is between 20000 and 35000 centipoise (cP).
9. A system according to any preceding claim, further including an external frame for surrounding and supporting the tank.
10. A method of storing and delivering an emulsion explosive using a bladder tank system according to any preceding claim.
PCT/AU2010/000320 2009-03-20 2010-03-19 Bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives WO2010105306A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US16180809P 2009-03-20 2009-03-20
US61/161,808 2009-03-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010105306A1 true WO2010105306A1 (en) 2010-09-23

Family

ID=42739053

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2010/000320 WO2010105306A1 (en) 2009-03-20 2010-03-19 Bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010105306A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9541236B2 (en) 2013-07-12 2017-01-10 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-stage home refueling appliance and method for supplying compressed natural gas

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB755624A (en) * 1953-11-06 1956-08-22 English Electric Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to flexible-walled fluid containers
US3592360A (en) * 1967-06-28 1971-07-13 Arde Inc Cylindrical fluid storage and expulsion tank
US3996836A (en) * 1974-06-26 1976-12-14 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for transporting and charging uncartridged explosives, more particularly plastic explosives
US5346093A (en) * 1994-01-28 1994-09-13 Areo-Power Unitized Fueler Company, Inc. Liquid storage system
US5676180A (en) * 1996-03-13 1997-10-14 Teel; James R. Method and system for storing and hydraulically-pressurizing compressed natural gas (CNG) at an automotive re-fuel station
US5769109A (en) * 1996-06-07 1998-06-23 Guardian Containment Corp. Storage vault with overflow containment collar

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB755624A (en) * 1953-11-06 1956-08-22 English Electric Co Ltd Improvements in and relating to flexible-walled fluid containers
US3592360A (en) * 1967-06-28 1971-07-13 Arde Inc Cylindrical fluid storage and expulsion tank
US3996836A (en) * 1974-06-26 1976-12-14 Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for transporting and charging uncartridged explosives, more particularly plastic explosives
US5346093A (en) * 1994-01-28 1994-09-13 Areo-Power Unitized Fueler Company, Inc. Liquid storage system
US5676180A (en) * 1996-03-13 1997-10-14 Teel; James R. Method and system for storing and hydraulically-pressurizing compressed natural gas (CNG) at an automotive re-fuel station
US5769109A (en) * 1996-06-07 1998-06-23 Guardian Containment Corp. Storage vault with overflow containment collar

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9541236B2 (en) 2013-07-12 2017-01-10 Whirlpool Corporation Multi-stage home refueling appliance and method for supplying compressed natural gas

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8512489B2 (en) Mobile delivery platform for flowable explosive
US10139014B2 (en) Device for controlling the filling of a pipe as it is being laid in a stretch of water, and associated assembly and method
WO2010105306A1 (en) Bladder tank system for delivering emulsion explosives
PH12020500537A1 (en) Pile construction method, manifold device, and manifold device design method
US10627047B2 (en) Lubrication control system
CN104295420B (en) A kind of fuel oil pump assembly of far-end oil suction
CN207437031U (en) Oilfield liquids carbon dioxide injection device
CN104261150B (en) Discharge system for ammonium nitrate tank car
CA3051988C (en) Mobile distribution station having auxiliary delivery system
EP2564065B1 (en) Bellows backup chamber
CN102562597B (en) Liquid impact prevention device for liquid injection cooling type single screw compressor
KR101297362B1 (en) Hydrophore tank and hydrophore tank using the tank
US11692537B2 (en) Method and system for damping flow pulsation
CN202040513U (en) Pressurized type positive displacement distributor used for lubricating system
US11008987B2 (en) Venturi fluid pump with outlet flow controller
CN106286311A (en) The self-priming centrifugal pump that backwater hole can be automatically switched off
CN101466477B (en) Self-priming nozzle for use with fluid dispensing equipment
CN219995084U (en) Pipeline system of oil supply pump station
US9234414B1 (en) Pressurized injection apparatus for downhole treatment pellets
US718424A (en) Hydraulic apparatus.
CN209959224U (en) Pressurized chemical feeding device for oil pumping well
CN116398814A (en) Pipeline system of oil supply pump station
CN114658664A (en) Self-priming tank device and method capable of automatically supplementing water
UA64477A (en) method for adding gas in gas-liquid accumulators in hydraulic systems and DEVIce for its realization
US20130028752A1 (en) Priming of gear pump in alternative attitudes

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 10753007

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 10753007

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1