Emulsion explosives
According to DIN 20163, emulsion explosives are a subgroup of commercial explosives and are used for blasting rocks on a large scale. Highly liquid emulsified explosives are called blasting sludge .
| Emulsion explosives blasting slurry |
|
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | |
| Explosive components | |
| Other components |
|
| Physical Properties | |
| Density g / cm³ |
about 1.2 |
| Oxygen balance % |
approx. 0 |
| Heat of explosion kJ / kg |
about 3000 |
| Steam volume l / kg |
approx. 900 |
| Specific energy kJ / kg |
approx. 750 |
| Detonation velocity m / s |
from 3000 to 5000 |
| Explosion temperature K |
unknown |
| Property comparison | |
| Explosiveness | low |
| Ignition sensitivity | very low |
| Steam volume | high |
| price | low |
| credentials | |
composition
Emulsion explosives consist of an emulsion of aqueous ammonium nitrate solution and mineral oils ( water-containing explosives ). Dry ammonium nitrate components and aluminum shavings are partially mixed in to ensure an increase in the performance of the explosive. A low water content ( L ow W ater C ontent) is also beneficial for increasing performance.
Blasting sludge also consists of emulsified mineral oils in aqueous ammonium nitrate solution , but the moisture content is so high that they have a rather muddy character.
Since the emulsion explosives are more difficult to ignite than the other explosives , hollow glass microspheres or gas bubbles have to be used for sensitization, i.e. to facilitate initiation with detonators . The explosive, if it is of a solid consistency, is delivered in sticks, so-called cartridges, if it is of a pasty or muddy consistency, the explosive can be pumped. Then it is often mixed from the individual components from so-called mixed-load vehicles on site and pumped into the blast holes. The explosive sludge is sensitized by pumping in gas bubbles.
properties
Emulsion explosives and blasting sludge have, on average, the characteristic values given in the adjacent table.
Emulsion explosives and blasting sludge are less explosive than the more explosive gelatinous and military explosives, like powder explosives , and generate high vapor volumes so that they are very well suited for blasting rock.
advantages
Emulsion explosives have several advantages over gelatinous explosives:
- low mechanical and thermal sensitivity,
- no toxic components,
- "Remnants" that are not detonated cannot be ignited by inadvertent drilling or hitting,
- toxic components in the blast swath are significantly lower,
- Safe to use, there
- easy transport, handling and storage (as long as the components are not mixed, there is no explosive nature ),
- due to demixing, the emulsion explosive loses its properties as an explosive,
- Water resistance,
- The cargo space is completely filled.
application
Emulsion explosives and blasting sludge are used for the following purposes:
- in blasting of rock, as a booster charge in large borehole blasting (tunneling)
- for blasting guns
- Culture sprinkling, e.g. B. of earth, trenches etc.
- Snow field blast
Trade names
Emulsion explosives and blasting sludge are sold under the following names:
- Nobelite, Senate
- Emulgit from Maxam
- Emullex from Maxam
- Emsit from Maxam
- EMULINIT from Nitroerg
- Stittex
- Emulex and Hydrox from Austin Powder
- Nitram from Nitrochemie
- Blendex from EPC Homburg
- Explogel from Hellenic ExplosivesTechnology LTD. (Eltek)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Technical data sheet Nobelit . Orica GmbH, Troisdorf ( oricaminingservices.com (PDF)).
- ^ Josef Köhler, Rudolf Meyer: Explosivstoffe . 9th edition. Wiley-VCH, 1998, ISBN 978-3-527-28864-9 .
- ↑ Alfred Maier in Are you allowed to use any explosives? in Der Sprengbefugte , No 200 / June 2018, p. 16.
- ↑ List of notices to prove the notification according to Section 6a of the 1st Explosive Ordinance: explosives. (PDF; 389 kB) BAM , January 14, 2011, accessed on July 11, 2017 .