Abstract: A method is provided for loading upwardly extending boreholes in rock with flowable bulk explosives. An explosives loading pipe, an air exhaust pipe and an initiating booster charge with associated initiator are located in the borehole so that the booster and the pipe ends are located deep within the borehole. The ends of the pipes and the initiator are pressed through one or more channels in a cylindrical plug wedged in the borehole opening. Stemming material is first placed in the borehole through the loading pipe to lie against the plug and thereafter the bulk explosive is introduced to fill the borehole. Entrapped air is exhausted through the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A novel initiator (blasting cap) for explosives is provided. The initiator, which may be electric or non-electric, comprises a tubular metal shell having within a base charge, a delay train, a priming charge and an ignition means. Interposed between the delay train and the priming charge is an annular collar or ring of resilient material in contact with the inner wall of the metal shell. The construction results in a markedly improved resistance against shock initiation.

Abstract: A continuous bucket conveyor/elevator is provided which comprises a series of buckets mounted on at least one endless cable. The cable or cables and attached buckets are urged forward by means of an adjacent driving mechanism, such as, a pneumatic or hydraulic piston, which engages contact members attached at intervals to the cables. Because no drive chains or sprocket wheels are employed, lubrication is minimized even in corrosive or abrasive environments.

Abstract: A plurality of electric blasting caps are fired through the ignition system which includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The secondary winding of the transformer is connected to the resistive elements of the blasting caps through a blasting circuit which is electromagnetically coupled to the resistive elements of the blasting caps via a small toroid transformer. A D.C. voltage is stored on a storage capacitor which has one end connected to the center point of the primary winding. The other ends of each half of the primary winding are connected through a driver circuit to ground. Each driver circuit is enabled by a flip-flop at predetermined intervals, whereby the storage capacitor will discharge through the appropriate half of the primary, to thereby produce a pulse train at the output of the secondary. The pulse train provides the ignition power for igniting the electric blasting caps.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of water resistant dry blasting agents. Powdered, solid, water blocking agent and solid fuel, if required, is added as a suspension in a liquid non-hydrating fuel phase to porous ammonium nitrate prills. The process thus avoids unevenness of coating with water blocking agent of prior art processes and is particularly suited to on-site truck mounted manufacturing of water resistant blasting agents.

Abstract: A field adjustable delay connector for use in detonating cord hook-ups for multi-charge blasting particularly adapted to work effectively with low energy shock or detonating cord. The delay connector is so constructed that the donor cord initiates combustion in a variable length of burning composition the length being mechanically adjustable by the blaster during hook-up.

Abstract: A process for the management of by-product tetranitromethane (TNM) which avoids the hazards of the prior art isolation or extraction procedures. A selected in-plant liquid or vapor stream, or a reactor off-gas stream from nitration or nitric acid oxidation plant, which contains TNM, is heated to effectively pyrolyze the TNM without undue losses of nitric acid values.

Abstract: A viscosity-increased liquid carbon dioxide fracturing fluid is provided for the treatment of subterranean gas-bearing formations. The composition comprises liquid carbon dioxide which has been thickened by the addition of a small amount of a copolymer which is the reaction product of liquid carbon dioxide and an alkene oxide, preferably propylene oxide. The use of the copolymer thickener provides a CO.sub.2 fracturing fluid which may be pumped at a high rate, will not readily boil or foam, will carry a propping agent and will completely degrade within the formation.

Abstract: A modified explosive shock tube is provided which has a lateral energy output and hence may be used as a trunk line in a non-electric blasting network. The modified shock tube comprises a hollow, flexible plastic tube having a layer of energy-producing material on its inner surface and also having at intervals along its length, cuts or slits which penetrate the tube wall. The area of the slits has an overcovering of a waterproof material. When energized, the tube will burst at the area of the slits to release energy in a direction lateral to the tube axis.

Abstract: A packaged booster charge is provided which is sensitive to initiation by blasting cap yet which contains no self-explosive ingredient. The composition of the booster comprises a low melting point nitrate salt or salt mixture having dissolved or finely dispersed therein an acetylenic substance and void containing material. The booster is safe and economic to manufacture and sufficiently powerful to initiate insensitive blasting agents.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for measuring the continuity and resistance of electric circuits, particularly electric wire circuits used in blasting, in the presence of spurious voltages due to galvanic currents. A constant current from a cell is passed through the electric circuit to be tested and through a reference resistor where the voltages are measured to derive the resistance of the circuit. The measured voltages are sensed with a converter converted to a resistance measurement and displayed. The presence of spurious voltages is compensated for by connecting a galvanic current storage capacitor in the circuit, passing a reference current through the reference resistor and the circuit and comparing the voltage across the reference resistor with the voltage across the circuit and storage capacitor to derive a resistance reading. The reading is converted to a digital display.

Abstract: A non-electric detonator assembly is provided for initiation by means of a connected length of low energy detonating cord. The assembly comprises a substantially conventional instantaneous or delay period non-electric blasting cap containing a detonating cord attachment plug element in its open end. The plug element is adapted to receive a secured bend of low energy detonating cord and to transmit initiating energy from the cord to the cap. Use of the assembly allows for the convenient assembly of the cord/cap combinations in the field and eliminates wasted cord.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously treating organic wastes and inorganic alkaline wastes is provided. The organic wastes are incinerated to generate an acid gas effluent. The acid gas effluent is reacted in a dryer reactor with a fluidized spray of inorganic alkaline waste which neutralizes the acid gas. The products of the reaction are substantially harmless gases, e.g., carbon dioxide and water vapor which are passed to atmosphere without scrubbing treatment, and fine particulate material which is collected for disposal. The cooling action of the alkaline spray reduces the volume and rate of flow of the combustion gases and permits use of a variety of solids collecting devices.

Abstract: A method of charging upwardly extending, large diameter boreholes with cylindrical explosive cartridges is provided employing a longitudinally inflating flexible tube as the pushing mechanism. A fluid-impervious flexible tube is turned over or everted at one end and secured. A fluid, preferably air, at about 3 psi is passed into the tube causing the tube to elongate and the everted tube face to travel along the length of a borehole. An explosive cartridge mounted against the tube face is carried to a desired location in the borehole after which the tube is partly deflated and withdrawn from the borehole.

Abstract: A method of charging a borehole with a column of explosives is described wherein the explosive charge is detonable in time-delay sequence by means of electrically initiated detonators. The method requires providing a loop of an insulated electrical conductor throughout the length of the borehole and, as the borehole is charged with explosives, sliding electrically actuable time-delay detonators along the wire so as to be positioned at intervals throughout the borehole. The detonators are electrically coupled to the looped wire by means of slidable toroidal transformer cores. The wire loop, in turn, is electromagnetically energized by means of a second transformer core and an energy source. The method provides for safe and efficient borehole charging and avoids the hazards associated with usual electric detonator systems.

Abstract: A means is provided for stabilizing polysaccharide-thickened aqueous solutions by including in the thickened solution from 0.01% to 1% w/w of a thiuram sulphide or thiomorpholine compound as stabilizer. These stabilizers provide improved resistance against breakdown of the gels and separation of the gel ingredients particularly when the gels are exposed to elevated temperatures. The invention has application in the fields of paints, pharmaceuticals, printing, explosives or wherever polysaccharide-thickened aqueous solutions are employed.

Abstract: Low energy explosive shock tubing is provided which consists of a two-ply, inner and outer layer plastic tube having a plurality of lengthwise textile filaments bonded into the interface between the plastic layers. The textile filaments are chosen for their low elongation properties and the resultant shock tube resists stretching especially in warm borehole environments.

Abstract: An explosive or stemming package is provided which is self-retaining in vertical or inclined up-holes in stable rock. The package containing a flowable material, for example, slurry explosives, consists of a thin-walled cylindrical bag having at least one longitudinal, external pleat held closed by means of an adhered overcovering or tape. With the package held in position in the up-hole by a push rod, the tape is severed by means of a rip cord allowing the pleat to open. The slumping contents press the package closely against the borehole wall for secure retention without additional support. Improved coupling of the explosive charge to the rock is also provided giving enhanced blasting efficiency.

Abstract: An emulsion explosive composition comprising an oxygen-supplying salt component as a discontinuous phase, an organic medium forming a continuous phase and an emulsifying agent which comprises at least one conventional emulsifier and at least one emulsification enhancer. The compositions are easily emulsifiable.

Abstract: A water-in-wax emulsion explosive composition is provided wherein the continuous carbonaceous fuel phase comprises paraffin wax together with a minor amount of a rheology modifier and stabilizer combination comprising an ethylene-containing polymer and a low molecular weight hydrocarbon liquid. The resulting explosive composition exhibits properties of viscosity and stability comparable to similar compositions containing highly refined microcrystalline wax fuels.