Abstract: A multicomponent explosive composition and its use as a blasting agent in ditching operations and the like. The explosive comprises a fuel component and an oxidizer compnent, both of which are retained in the liquid state over wide temperature ranges and are stable over long storage intervals. The fuel component comprises a suspension of a particulate metal fuel, specifically aluminum, in a carrier liquid formed of a mixture of a water-miscible polyhydric alcohol and a pyrrolidone solvent. The carrier liquid contains a thickening agent to provide thixotropic rheological properties such that the particulate metal fuel remains in suspension at rest, but with shear forces induced by pumping, the components become more fluid for mixing and pumping easily. The oxidizer component comprises an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidizer salt. The oxidizer solution contains void-containing materials such as glass or saran microbubbles. The void-containing materials may be suspended in the fuel component also.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the placement of emulsion explosive compositions is provided which substantially reduces the amount of work which must be expended to pump the explosive emulsion through a conduit and into a detonation site. This is accomplished by providing a substantially annular stream of a lubricating fluid such as water around the emulsion explosive being pumped, said stream being injected at a flow rate such that the linear velocity of the lubricating fluid is substantially the same as that of the emulsion explosive being pumped through the conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the metered delivery of microbubbles, used for example, in the production of explosive compositions. Disclosed is a holding vessel with sufficient residence time to deaerate the microbubbbles with a level indicating device for sensing the quantity of microbubbles deposited therein, the outlet of the holding vessel communicating with a dual screw feed apparatus for delivering a constant volumetric flow of deaerated microbubbles from the holding vessel and a weigh-belt, upon which the microbubbles ae deposited as they exit the screw feeder, for providing a constant flow of microbubbles by weight for delivery to processing apparatus.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing cap sensitive water-in-oil explosive emulsion compositions on a commercial basis is provided which includes mixing a hydrocarbon fuel component, an emulsifier, and an aqueous inorganic oxidizing salt solution under mixing conditions sufficient to obtain an emulsion matrix coposition and thereafter blending microbubbles with the emulsion matrix, the microbubbles being introduced to the emulsion matrix from a deaerated reservoir thereof.