Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the efficient and safe manufacture of batch quantities of non-cap-sensitive emulsion explosives. The method employs none of the high shear mixing or homogenizing techniques of the prior art and hence hazards from heat and mechanical breakdown (impact) are eliminated. The method consists of tumbling the oil phase of the emulsion in a rotating, internally baffled mixer and slowly adding thereto the aqueous phase. The resulting emulsion explosive is detonable by boostering in large diameter charges.

Abstract: A primer assembly is provided for use in vertical boreholes wherein the primer charge is initiated by means of electric blasting caps, the electric caps, in turn, being initiated electromagnetically. A covered, cup-shaped primer assembly contains a toroid transformer element and connected electric blasting cap in detonating relationship with a primer explosive charge. The assembly is arranged to receive therethrough a looped wire conductor which conductor passes freely through the toroid transformer. When an energy source is coupled to the looped conductor, a magnetic flux is induced in the toroid transformer which sets off the cap and primer charge. The assembly may be passed freely or slid along the looped conductor to any location in the borehole. The assembly permits the use of electric time-delay, deck-charge blasting without the usual hazards associated with normal electric cap blasting.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film package containing a blasting explosive is provided having utility in secondary blasting operations. The package comprises superimposed film panels joined along their periphery to form a bag and having closeable neck-like openings at opposite ends of the bag. The package lends itself to fabrication from flat film or sheet by heat-sealing techniques and may be filled with explosives on continuous packaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for cartridging viscous explosives mixtures, such as emulsion explosives, in convolutely wound paper tubes. The method comprises winding a section of paper film on a rotating hollow mandrel, closing one end of the wound paper tube, injecting the explosives mixture through the hollow mandrel into the paper tube upon the mandrel, removing the filled tube from the mandrel and closing the tube open end. The method replaces higher cost plastic chub packages with low cost paper and allows the efficient and economic production of sensitive small-diameter cartridges wherein the occluded air or gas is not dissipated during cartridging.

Abstract: A two-component emulsion explosive composition is provided consisting of a continuous oil/fuel phase and a discontinuous aqueous oxidizer salt phase and, as an emulsifier, a dimer acid glyceride wherein the dimer acid has a carbon atom chain length of C18-C60. The composition demonstrates superior properties of long period storage stability and sensitivity.

Abstract: A semi-automatic, semi-continuous method is provided for the manufacture of cast explosive boosters. The method makes us of a mold assembly which is transported through filling, cooling and disassembly stations in a substantially continuous manner with little or no manual intervention. The method is adaptable to the manufacture of sheath/core or multiple layer boosters employing two explosives of different sensitivities. The method results in reduced operating costs and improved safety.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in the operation of a long vertical shaft bioreactor in the treatment of waste which comprises circulating waste liquor and oxygenating gas through the bioreactor in which the uppermost portion of the shaft (the surface basin) is under supra-atmospheric pressure. The use of a pressurized surface basin subjects the waste to improved oxidizing conditions in a critical zone of the bioreactor and results in more effective biodegradation of the waste. By precise control of surface basin pressure, adequate levels of oxygen in the waste are maintained for biodegradation purposes while unwanted gas, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, are disengaged. The pressure on the surface of the waste in the basin is controlled so as to ensure that the concentration of oxygen in the waste is subsaturated and retained while the unwanted gas concentration is super saturated and becomes disengaged.

Abstract: A non-electric delay blasting method is provided which comprises the use of single trunk line of detonating cord having a series of detonating relays, all of the same delay period, connected at spaced intervals along its length. Branch lines of detonating cord are connected in groups to the trunk line in the intervals between the relays and each branch line has a delay detonator of the same delay period attached thereto. The delay period of the relays is shorter than that of the delay detonators. The detonators within the groups detonate in a random manner. The method eliminates the need to use large numbers of different delay period detonators in a multi-charge blast thus simplifying preparation of the charge and reducing inventories.

Abstract: A cast or pressed explosive primer is provided which is adapted for slidable initiating engagement with a detonating cord. The primer comprises two hermetically sealed shells or cups which are connected together. One shell contains a sensor/signal carrier/delay cap combination and the second shell contains the explosive primer charge. Guides are provided on the outside of the shells for the threading therethrough of a detonating cord. The construction provides protection against the ingress of water or other liquids which may desensitize the initiation system.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for the treatment of sewage waste in a long vertical shaft bioreactor wherein waste sewage is caused to circulate under air injected oxidizing conditions around a loop comprising adjacent riser and downcomer chambers connected at their upper and lower ends. The improved method comprises the steps of introducing influent waste at depth into the riser chamber at a point higher in the riser than the point of air injection and withdrawing treated effluent from the riser at a point lower in the riser than the point of air injection. A separation chamber may also be operatively connected to the riser chamber to recover sludge for return to the bioreactor. The method provides an improvement in oxygen uptake rate and reduces the anoxic zone in the reactor thus providing additional capacity for BOD.sub.5 removal.

Abstract: A water-in-oil explosive composition based on colloidal dispersions is provided. Unlike conventional emulsion explosive compositions, the microemulsion composition of the invention displays exceptional long term storage stability retaining sensitivity to propagation even in small diameter charges. The composition is also tolerant to doping with further fuel and energy enhancing ingredients. The microemulsion-producing component of the composition comprises a combination of at least one conventional water-in-oil emulsifier and at least one amphiphatic synthetic polymeric emulsifier selected from graft, block or branch polymers.

Abstract: An improved gland seal is provided for an extrusion, chub container packaging apparatus. The seal comprises a rigid ring sealing element adapted to swivel upon a ball-like holder attached to the end of the filling horn. The sealing element may be simply positioned to compensate for variations in casing diameters and is not subject to expansion caused by pressure pulses during packaging. Package breakage and malformation is reduced and a uniform product is provided.

Abstract: In a long vertical shaft sewage circulation waste treatment process where influent waste is introduced into the shaft through a downcomer conduit, an improvement is provided whereby the downcomer conduit, because of its flexible construction, is made to collapse by the application of external pressure from surrounding fluid waste in the shaft. Such collapse acts as a check valve which pinches closed the influent conduit and prevents reversal of flow in the circulation system. External pressure collapse of the flexible conduit is produced by a pressure differential between influent within the conduit and the surrounding fluid waste caused, for example, by flow interruption or power failure. The need to employ mechanical check valves, which are subject to malfunction, is eliminated.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition is provided containing sorbitan mono-oleate, sorbitan sesquioleate and glycerides of fatty acids as the emulsification agent and also containing a highly clorinated paraffinic hydrocarbon as an emulsification promoter. The presence of the clorinated hydrocarbon produces improved sensitivity even in small diameter cartridges.

Abstract: An improved method of gassing an aqueous slurry explosive composition with an inorganic nitrite gassing agent is provided. The method makes use of a thiocyanate ion-containing material in the composition as a gassing accelerator. The presence of the thiocyanate ion produces improved rate and quantity of gas generation even under low temperature where gas generation is normally retarded.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is provided for maintaining a constant gas-to-solids ratio in the effluent from a long vertical shaft waste treatment bioreactor. In a vertical bioreactor wherein waste is circulated under air-injected oxidation conditions around a loop comprising adjacent downcomer and riser chambers connected at their terminals and operatively connected to a separation apparatus, the improvement comprises withdrawing treated effluent from the riser chamber into a cylindrical vessel from whence the effluent is directed either to the separation chamber or into the influent stream depending on the total level of fluid in the bioreactor. Removal of large air bubbles from the effluent is also effected in the cylindrical vessel. The method provides improved gas-to-solids ratio in the effluent and improves sludge flotation in the separation apparatus.

Abstract: An explosive package is provided which is particularly adapted to be placed against and around the inside and outside curvature of a metal pipe for explosive welding purposes. The package is a substantially flat trapezoidal-shaped container, the shorter, non-parallel ends of which can be adjustably abutted against the non-parallel ends of a similar package in order to provide a continuous ring or band of explosives inside or outside the circumference of a pipe.

Abstract: In a long vertical shaft activated sludge bioreactor for the treatment of waste water and the flotation/separation of solids therefrom, an improvement is provided whereby fluctuations in flow through the bioreactor are maintained level without the use of complex control mechanisms and whereby separation from the effluent of dispersed air bubbles occurs directly in the flotation/separation vessel rather than in the shaft or an auxiliary vessel. The improvement provides for the installation of a holding reservoir between the shaft and the flotation/separation vessel. Influent passes through the reservoir on its way to the bioreactor and some make-up effluent from the flotation/separation vessel is directed into the holding reservoir as the level of liquid in the reservoir falls. In addition, means are provided in the separation/flotation vessel to split off large dispersed gas bubbles which would otherwise disrupt sludge flotation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided whereby a pressurized long vertical shaft bioreactor is protected against extreme surges of influent waste liquid. The method provides for the transfer of excess waste from the top of the bioreactor head tank to an adjacent collection vessel where, in response to the pressure created in the bioreactor, the collected waste is caused to overflow and is returned to the influent waste stream. The method permits the return of waste from the reactor to the influent stream while bypassing the normal circulation route through the reactor. Simplification of control is provided and float or level control valves may be eliminated thereby reducing construction, operating and maintenance costs.

Abstract: An improved long vertical shaft bioreactor for the treatment of degradable waste is provided wherein the head tank or basin surmounting the vertical downcomer and riser chambers is surrounded by a foam oxidation vessel. Conduits are provided between the head tank and the foam vessel through which (a) foam accumulated in the head tank is passed to the foam vessel and (b) through which excess fluid in the head tank may be vented.