Mechanically gassed emulsion explosives and related methods and systems
AssigneeDyno Nobel Inc.
InventorsJohn Halander, Casey L. Nelson, Jeremiah R. Beagley, Cornelis Kome
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Abstract
Emulsion explosives with gas bubbles that are resistant to in-borehole migration or coalescence are disclosed herein. Such emulsions can be sensitized by mechanically introducing gas bubbles into the emulsion. Gassing can be performed at any of multiple points from initial formation of the emulsion to delivery of the emulsion into the borehole. Resistance to gas bubble migration and coalescence can be achieved by homogenization, without the need for bubble stabilization agents.
Claims20
A method of delivering an emulsion explosive, the method comprising:
- dividing an oxidizer salt solution into a first portion and a second portion;
- atomizing a fuel with a gas to form an atomized fuel, wherein the fuel is substantially devoid of a bubble stabilizing agent;
- mixing the first portion of the oxidizer salt solution with the atomized fuel to form a fuel-rich emulsion explosive having bubbles of the gas dispersed therein, and having an initial viscosity;
- mixing the fuel-rich emulsion explosive with the second portion of the oxidizer salt solution to form a more balanced emulsion explosive having an increased viscosity;
- homogenizing the more balanced emulsion explosive to form a homogenized emulsion explosive having a further increased viscosity.
An assembly for producing an atomized fuel stream, comprising:
- an inlet configured to receive a mixture of fuel and compressed gas;
- one or more atomizer nozzles each having an orifice, wherein each atomizer nozzle is situated to receive the mixture and is configured so that the mixture is atomized upon passing through the atomizer nozzle and exiting the orifice, thereby producing an atomized fuel stream;
- and
- an outlet configured to receive the atomized fuel stream and direct the atomized fuel stream out of the assembly.
A method of delivering an emulsion explosive, the method comprising:
- obtaining an emulsion matrix comprising a discontinuous phase of oxidizer salt solution droplets in a continuous phase of a fuel;
- mechanically introducing gas bubbles into the emulsion matrix to sensitize the emulsion matrix and form an emulsion explosive;
- and
- homogenizing the emulsion explosive to form a homogenized emulsion explosive with a viscosity of greater than or equal to 80 Pa s and that is substantially devoid of a bubble stabilizing agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.