Abstract: Systems and methods for chemoremediation or mechanical destruction of undetonated explosive materials. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity to a chemical reagent selected for its chemoremediative properties. A barrier is interposed between the explosive material and the chemical reagent to delay the chemoremediation of the explosive material. Alternatively a water expandable material may be incorporated into the explosive material, whereby upon exposure to moisture the water absorbing material will expand sufficiently to fragment the explosive material into initiation insensitive particles. Initiation insensitivity is achieved by incorporation of water, which acts as a desensitizing agent as well as fragmenting the explosive material into particles sufficiently small that they are below the critical diameter for explosive initiation.

Abstract: A detonator sensitive explosive emulsion composition includes an oxidizing phase including a supersaturated solution of ammonium nitrate and a fuel phase including sufficient emulsifying agent to permit dispersion of the oxidizing phase in the fuel phase. The detonator sensitive explosive emulsion composition further includes a crystallization temperature depressant consisting essentially of at least one of an amine and an amine nitrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for chemoremediation or mechanical destruction of undetonated explosive materials. An explosive apparatus contains an explosive material in close proximity to a chemical reagent selected for its chemoremediative properties. A barrier is interposed between the explosive material and the chemical reagent to delay the chemoremediation of the explosive material. Alternatively a water expandable material may be incorporated into the explosive material, whereby upon exposure to moisture the water absorbing material will expand sufficiently to fragment the explosive material into initiation insensitive particles. Initiation insensitivity is achieved by incorporation of water, which acts as a desensitizing agent as well as fragmenting the explosive material into particles sufficiently small that they are below the critical diameter for explosive initiation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus (10) for loading a sensitized flowable explosive into a borehole. The apparatus (10) is portable and comprises containers 14, 16 which are pressurizable, for containing an explosive under pressure. Containers 14, 16 have closeable explosive inlets, closeable explosive outlets, and closable fluid inlets. In accordance with the method gas bubbles are dispersed into an explosive base to provide a sensitized explosive which is fed as a batch into the portable containers. The containers are pressurized to de-sensitize the explosive, after which the containers are conveyed to a borehole where the explosive is loaded from the apparatus into the borehole.