US4388254A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for making a homogeneous aqueous slurry-type blasting composition
Assignee: Energy Sciences Partners Ltd
•
Filing: 1980-05-29
•
Granted: 1983-06-14
•
Expires: 2000-05-29
Abstract
Abstract A blasting composition, method and system for making such is disclosed. The blasting composition is a homogeneous slurry-type blasting agent containing a major amount of water and a relatively small amount of a particulate fuel, preferably a particulate metal fuel. The blasting composition is made by premixing the fuel with water and a gelling agent to form a stable suspension of fuel in the water, metering the suspension of fuel into a dry particulate mixture of an inorganic metal oxidizer and a gelling agent, and slowly tumbling the mixture a short time sufficient to obtain a uniform composition without desensitizing the composition to detonation.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel E. Maes
- 👤 Robert L. Shaw
- 👤 Royal L. Reinsch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:03
CPC Classifications
C; C06; C06B; C06B47/00; C06B47/14; C06B21/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for making a homogeneous, aqueous slurry-type blasting composition containing a particulate inorganic nitrate oxidizer and a finely divided metal fuel, comprising: premixing the finely divided metal fuel with water and a gelling agent to form a stable suspension of the finely divided metal fuel in the water; mixing the aqueous suspension of finely divided metal fuel with the particulate nitrate oxidizer and an additional amount of water; and slowly tumbling the mixture for a brief time sufficient to uniformly mix the components.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for making a homogeneous, aqueous slurry-type blasting composition containing a particulate inorganic nitrate oxidizer and a finely divided metal fuel, comprising: premixing the finely divided metal fuel with water and a gelling agent to form a stable suspension of the finely divided metal fuel in the water; mixing the aqueous suspension of finely divided metal fuel with the particulate nitrate oxidizer and an additional amount of water; and slowly tumbling the mixture for a brief time sufficient to uniformly mix the components.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the nitrate oxidizer is mixed with a gelling agent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the composition consists essentially of 50-80 percent by weight particulate inorganic nitrate, 0.5 to 10 percent by weight finely divided aluminum flake, 0.5 to 10 percent by weight gelling agent and 15 to 35 percent water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the mixing time ranges from 2 to 30 seconds and the inorganic nitrate is ammonium nitrate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for making a homogeneous, aqueous, slurry-type blasting composition which contains a particulate nitrate oxidizer, a finely divided metal fuel, and a gelling agent, the system comprising: grinding means for grinding the particulate nitrate to a uniform particle size; means for feeding the particulate oxidizer to a mixer having tumbling blades therein which subjects the mixture to a slow tumbling action; means for feeding into the mixer a gelatinous concentrate consisting essentially of finely divided aluminum in a stable suspension with water and a gelling agent; and means for packing the formulated explosive composition in cartridges.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A system for making a homogeneous, aqueous, slurry-type blasting composition which contains a particulate nitrate oxidizer, a finely divided metal fuel, and a gelling agent, the system comprising: grinding means for grinding the particulate nitrate to a uniform particle size; means for feeding the particulate oxidizer to a mixer having tumbling blades therein which subjects the mixture to a slow tumbling action; means for feeding into the mixer a gelatinous concentrate consisting essentially of finely divided aluminum in a stable suspension with water and a gelling agent; and means for packing the formulated explosive composition in cartridges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the composition consists essentially of 50 to 80 percent by weight nitrate oxidizer, 1 to 4 percent by weight finely divided aluminum, 15 to 35 percent by weight water and 0.5 to 10 percent by weight gelling agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 5, wherein the means for packing is an auger packer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4, wherein mixing of the aqueous suspension of finely divided fuel with the ammonium nitrate results in an endothermic reaction providing thermal stability and insensitivity to detonation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3153606A
Cited
US3160538A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |