Stable fluid systems for preparing high density explosive compositions
AssigneeAtlas Powder Company
InventorsJohn J. Mullay, Joseph A. Sohara
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Abstract
The invention provides a thermodynamically stable fluid system for use in combination with a solid oxidizer to provide an explosive composition. The fluid system comprises 1-70% by weight of water, 5-20% by weight of a surfactant, 0-35% by weight of a cosurfactant, and 5-85% by weight of an organic oil. Any droplet formation within the system has diameter or a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.1 microns. In a preferred embodiment, the fluid system is a microemulsion. When the fluid system is combined with a solid oxidizer, an explosive composition is formed, and the resulting explosive composition has a density greater than ANFO under similar conditions. The fluid system acts to increase the density of the oxidizer.
Claims9
A thermodynamically stable fluid system that forms an explosive composition when combined with a solid oxidizer, the fluid system comprising the combination of water in the amount of 1-70% by weight of the system, a surfactant in the amount of 5-20% by weight, a cosurfactant in the amount of 0-35% by weight, and an organic oil in the amount of 5-85% by weight, and any droplet formation within the system has a diameter of less than or equal to about 0.1 microns.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.