MANFOGEL EXPLOSIVE SYSTEM
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an explosive system.
Background to the Invention
The cost of transporting explosives has escalated over the past years as well as the storage of these explosives. The explosives used in mining applications need to be stored in explosive magazines at the mines as well as at the producers.
The cost of storing these explosives at the mines means that special magazines have to be built to store the explosives and that 24-hour security needs to be put in place at these magazines.
Transportation and storage of explosives also presents a security risk and a liability for all parties involved.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the invention, there are provided two or more non- explosive components which when mixed at the place of use in or at the mine form an explosive, said components being selected from the group including at least Monomethylamine nitrate (MMAN) gel and an oxidizer.
This may decrease the transport cost as well as storage cost of explosives to the mine as well as the producers. Security is enhanced and liability decreased.
The oxidizer may be ammonium nitrate prill, a non-explosive oxidizing gel, or any other suitable oxidizer composition.
In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary, the term "non-explosive" indicates a gel or other composition of matter, which does not detonate with a 400g pentolite booster in a 200-liter drum. It is believed that the gel would classify as a non-explosive in other regulatory tests.
The MMAN gel may consist of MMAN, and one or more of thickening agents such as guar gum, poly-acrylamide, fuels such as anthracite, hydrocarbon oils and aluminum, crosslinking agents such as Liox [Trade Name], which includes Potassium Pyroantimonate, Tyzor [Trade Name], which includes 50% Aqueous solution of Titanium Ammonium Lactate, and small amounts of sodium nitrate.
The percentage water by mass in the MMAN gel may be from 19.5 to 36%.
The oxidizing gel may consist of one or more of ammonium nitrate in liquid or solid form, sodium nitrate, calcium nitrate, thickening agents such as guar gum and poly-acrylamide and crosslinking agents such as Liox (Potassium Pyroantimonate) and Tyzor (50% Aqueous solution of Titanium Ammonium Lactate)
The percentage water by mass in the oxidizing gel may be from 9% to 15%
The MMAN gel may have a negative oxygen balance and when blended with ammonium nitrate prills or the oxidizing gel in the correct ratio The correct ratio is dependant on the oxygen balance figures. The oxygen balance of the final product should ideally have a zero oxygen balance.
The MMAN gel may be made with different oxygen balance figures by increasing or decreasing the amount of fuel therefore changing the mix ratio with the ammonium nitrate prills or oxidizing gel.
Examples of the Invention
Examples of the invention are now presented. These examples are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention and are intended solely to show that the invention may be used in various configurations. It will be clear to those skilled in the art that other compositions and/or blends may be prepared in accordance with the invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
Blends that have been produced:
50% MMAN gel with 50% oxidizing gel 50% MMAN gel with 50% Ammonium Nitrate Prills 40% MMAN gel with 60% Ammonium Nitrate Prills 30% MMAN gel with 70% Ammonium Nitrate Prills
The final products of all these blends detonate reliably in 35mm unconfined with a 6D detonator. The aforementioned means that the detonation of an explosive takes place in the open, usually in a light weight pipe made of plastic or cardboard, in contrast to confinement in a borehole.
A number 6D detonator contains 0.35g of PETN as against a number 8 D which contains 0.78g PETN . All tests are done with the weaker 6D detonator
PETN means pentaerythritol tetranitrate
When using EXPAN™ 100 Prills available from Sasol in South Africa the final products can be made to detonate reliably in 25mm with a 6D detonator.
VOD : Velocity of detonation COD : Continuity of detonation 1 meter LTS : Low temperature sensitivity
MANFOGEL 60
Manfogel 60 is equivalent is equivalent in performance to Explogel V6 produced by Sasol Explosives in South Africa.
Characterisation of Manfogel using different EXPAN(tm) Products.
Blend ratio is 40% Gel and 60% EXPAN(tm). Density of Gel was 1.29g/cc
VOD = Velocity of Detonation
COD = Continuity of Detonation (1 meter)
LTS = Low Temperature Sensitivity
Lammie = A Mixture of scrap and fine Ammonium Nitrate from Sasolburg plant.
MANFOGEL 60 FORMULATION
Ammonium Nitrate 60%
Sodium Nitrate 2%
MMAN 20%
Water 14.8%
Guar Gum 0.45%
Anthracite 1.75%
Polyacrylamide 1.00%
MANFOGEL 70
Characterisation of Manfogel using different EXPAN(tm) Products.
Blend ratio is 30% Gel and 70% EXPAN(tm). Density of Gel was 1.28g/cc
VOD = Velocity of Detonation COD = Continuity of Detonation (1 meter) LTS = Low Temperature Sensitivity
MANFOGEL 70 FORMULATION
Ammonium Nitrate 70%
MMAN 18%
Water 8%
Guar Gum 0.60%
Anthracite 2.20%
Polyacrylamide 1.00%
PQ 0.20%
MANFOGEL V8 EQUIVALENT FORMULATION 1
Manfogel V8 is equivalent in performance to Explogel V8 produced by Sasol Explosives in South Africa.
Manfogel 60 (37.6% gel 62.40% EXPAN™)
Total Gasses - 978 L/Kg
Weight Strength 100% Bulk Strength 156%
Density 1.15g/cc
Total water in Manfogel including the EXPAN™ - 7.05%
Total Water in Gel matrix - 19.95%
Product fired in 25mm with a 6D detonator Product fired in 35mm with a 6D detonator
LTS (Low Temperature Sensitivity) Passed at +11° C in 25mm.
LTS (Low Temperature Sensitivity) Failed at 12° C in 25mm
Gel matrix failed to detonate in 80mm with a 90-gram Pentolite booster.
MANFOGEL V8 EQUIVALENT FORMULATION 2
Manfogel 60 (40% gel 60% EXPAN™)
Total Gasses - 972 L/Kg
Weight Strength 95%
Bulk Strength 143%
Density 1.17g/cc
Total water in Manfogel including the EXPAN™ - 9.6%
Total Water in Gel matrix - 24%
Product fired in 25mm with a 6D detonator
Product fired in 35mm with a 6D detonator
LTS (Low Temperature Sensitivity) Passed at +15° C in 25mm.
LTS (Low Temperature Sensitivity) Failed at 16°C in 25mm
Gel matrix failed to detonate in 80mm with a 90-gram Pentolite booster.
DDS 50
DDS 50 is a Development Delivery System proprietary to Sasol Explosives. It is a mini bulk plant on a mobile platform.
Formulation Fuel Phase
Ammonium Nitrate 41.25% oxygen balance -9.16
Sodium Nitrate 10.00% Failed to detonate in 80mm with a 90g Pentolite booster
MMAN 25.00%
Water 15.00%
Guar Gum 0.50%
Anthracite 7.25%
Polyacrylamide 1.00%
Formulation Oxidiser Phase
Ammonium Nitrate 65.50% oxygen balance +9.18
Sodium Nitrate 10.00% Failed to detonate in 80mm with a 90g Pentolite booster
Water 12.00%
Guar Gum 0.50%
Anthracite 1.00%
Polyacrylamide 1.00%
Calcium Carbonate 1.00%
Potassium Chloride 3.00%
Ammonium Chloride 3.00%
Calcium Nitrate 3.00%
Product fired in 35mm with a 6D detonator