An explosive, in particular a water-in-oil emulsion explosive, comprising a water-based explosive composition and a gas, wherein the gas is infused with two different ranges of sizes of nanobubbles, to provide controlled hotspots for detonation to improve emulsion stability and detonation sensitivity. Into the Nano Bubble tank (31) are fed the pressurised gas in water through valve (26) and also a sample is fed into the Nano Bubble tank (31). This then provides the NanoBubble Input NBIbp1 to be fed by NB Feed Pump (33) into static mixer (51). Also fed to the Static Mixer (51) by matrix pump (41) is the explosives containing PIBSA (Poly-Iso-Butylene Succinic Anhydride) in emulsion form as Emulsion Input EInp1 from Emulsion Matrix truck. The static mixer allows for the gas to be infused into the water-based explosive composition in at least a substantial part in the form of nanobubbles (NB) which then forms a controlled explosive output for use in the blast hole (61) by the bubbles acting as a sensitiser as so called “hot spots” which transfer the energy throughout the explosive charge once initiated. This allows the thermal “hot spot” detonation wave to travel through and carries the explosive to a full and controlled detonation.

An explosive, in particular a water-in-oil emulsion explosive, comprising a water-based explosive composition and a gas, wherein the gas is infused with two different ranges of sizes of nanobubbles, to provide controlled hotspots for detonation to improve emulsion stability and detonation sensitivity. Into the Nano Bubble tank (31) are fed the pressurised gas in water through valve (26) and also a sample is fed into the Nano Bubble tank (31). This then provides the NanoBubble Input NBIbp1 to be fed by NB Feed Pump (33) into static mixer (51). Also fed to the Static Mixer (51) by matrix pump (41) is the explosives containing PIBSA (Poly-Iso-Butylene Succinic Anhydride) in emulsion form as Emulsion Input EInp1 from Emulsion Matrix truck. The static mixer allows for the gas to be infused into the water-based explosive composition in at least a substantial part in the form of nanobubbles (NB) which then forms a controlled explosive output for use in the blast hole (61) by the bubbles acting as a sensitiser as so called “hot spots” which transfer the energy throughout the explosive charge once initiated. This allows the thermal “hot spot” detonation wave to travel through and carries the explosive to a full and controlled detonation.

The present invention relates to a method and installation for loading boreholes with bulk water-based suspension or watergel type explosives characterized by the sensitization of the product by mixing a non-explosive or low sensitivity suspension matrix with compressed gas (e.g. air) at the end of the delivery hose.

Explosive compositions for use in high temperature, reactive ground, or both, are disclosed. The explosive compositions can include an emulsion with a continuous organic fuel phase and a discontinuous oxidizer phase. The oxidizer phase can include one or more Group I or Group II nitrates.

Disclosed herein is an explosive composition for soft and wet ground. The explosive composition comprises an explosive comprising an oxidiser component in a water in oil emulsion or a water gel, and a bulking agent comprising discrete particles of a combustible substance. The combustible substance is water soluble but, in the explosive composition, migration of the combustible substance from the discrete particles to the oxidiser component is inhibited. Also disclosed is a method for delivering an explosive composition to a borehole, for example a borehole in soft and wet ground.

Disclosed herein is an explosive composition for soft and wet ground. The explosive composition comprises an explosive comprising an oxidiser component in a water in oil emulsion or a water gel, and a bulking agent comprising discrete particles of a combustible substance. The combustible substance is water soluble but, in the explosive composition, migration of the combustible substance from the discrete particles to the oxidiser component is inhibited. Also disclosed is a method for delivering an explosive composition to a borehole, for example a borehole in soft and wet ground.

Explosive compositions for use in high temperature, reactive ground, or both, are disclosed. The explosive compositions can include an emulsion with a continuous organic fuel phase and a discontinuous oxidizer phase. The oxidizer phase can include one or more Group I or Group II nitrates.

The present invention relates generally to an explosive composition comprising an aqueous emulsion of: an oxidizer component, a hydrocarbon fuel component containing emulsifier, and a bulking agent being a fuel-type waste material in a solid particulate form substantially lacking rough surfaces and sharp edges. Preferably the composition is of an ammonium nitrate based emulsion and a pelletised bulking agent. It also involves a method of providing an explosive composition to a blast site using a conventional mobile processing unit (MPU), being a truck having separate compartments adapted for holding fuel oil, dry ammonium nitrate prill, and ammonium nitrate based emulsion, where a compartment instead holds particulate waste material. It also concerns a method of blasting soft and wet ground, which comprises injecting into one or more blast holes in the soft and wet ground a sufficient quantity of the composition, and then setting off the composition.

The present invention relates to a water-based non-sensitized matrix or explosive suspension which itself has a rheological behavior such that it allows mechanically loading upward boreholes. This suspension behaves like a viscous liquid when it is forced to flow due to the action of a loading pump, and, however, has the characteristics of a soft solid when it is on standby once inside the borehole. The composition essentially consists of an aqueous solution of oxidizing salts and optionally water-soluble fuels and/or sensitizers, and one or more water-soluble polymers conferring the desired rheological characteristics. Particles of oxidizing salts with a grain size such that they enhance the rheological behavior characteristic of the suspension are dispersed in this aqueous solution.

The present invention relates to a water-based non-sensitized matrix or explosive suspension which itself has a rheological behavior such that it allows mechanically loading upward boreholes. This suspension behaves like a viscous liquid when it is forced to flow due to the action of a loading pump, and, however, has the characteristics of a soft solid when it is on standby once inside the borehole. The composition essentially consists of an aqueous solution of oxidizing salts and optionally water-soluble fuels and/or sensitizers, and one or more water-soluble polymers conferring the desired rheological characteristics. Particles of oxidizing salts with a grain size such that they enhance the rheological behavior characteristic of the suspension are dispersed in this aqueous solution.