Abstract: The present invention is directed to hardening ammonium nitrate by combining ammonium nitrate with a functionally active polymer. The functionally active polymer may be combined with ammonium nitrate by itself as a shell or in intermixed with the ammonium nitrate. The invention is found useful in hardening ammonium nitrate for use in explosives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hardening ammonium nitrate by combining ammonium nitrate with a functionally active polymer. The functionally active polymer may be combined with ammonium nitrate by itself as a shell or in intermixed with the ammonium nitrate. The invention is found useful in hardening ammonium nitrate for use in explosives.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of mercury from mercury-containing caustic sludge, generated from a mercury cell, chlor-alkali plant, wherein mercury is removed from the caustic sludge by treatment in a hydraulic mineral separator. The process provides a ready method for removal of mercury from caustic sludge which can allow recovery of the mercury for re-use. Alternatively, the process provides a smaller volume of mercury-contaminated material to be treated and/or land-filled.

Abstract: A waste paper treatment process for the recycle and re-use of waste paper, which process comprises treating the waste paper, in a repulper, with a surfactant, in the absence of traditional repulper chemicals such as silicate, caustic and peroxide. The surfactant is preferably a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and is used in a sufficient concentration to form ink agglomerates. The ink agglomerates are retained on the paper, rather than being removed as in waste paper deinking. The process permits the elimination of normal repulper chemicals, and reduces the amount of ink sludge generated, while providing acceptable brightness levels for the recycled pulp.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a metered delivery of explosives to boreholes in mining, quarrying, and/or construction operations. The explosives may be ANFO, emulsions, bulk explosives, packaged explosives, blends thereof, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An improved progressive cavity (pc) pump is provided. In a first aspect, the pc-pump comprises a rotor connected to a motor via a drive shaft that is isolated from the material flowing through the suction chamber of the pump, thereby preventing the pumped material from reaching the joints of the drive shaft through faulty seals. In another aspect, the pc-pump comprises a rotor assembly comprising a rotor shaft that is joined to a rotor member by means of a connecting member featuring a thermally-induced structural failure capability that provides a tamper-proof fail-safe mechanism against overheating. In a preferred embodiment the connecting member is made of low temperature melting alloy that converts into the liquid state at a temperature beyond which the operation of the pump may no longer be safe. If the pump overheats, as a result of deadhead operation or dry pumping, the connecting member melts thus terminating the driving relationship between the rotor shaft and the rotor member.

Abstract: A process for the production of a gas-generating composition containing a redox-couple including a water soluble azide component, for example, azide of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium or barium, and an oxidizer component, for example, sodium nitrate, sodium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, potassium perchlorate or an oxide of iron, nickel, vanadium, copper, titanium, manganese, zinc, tantalum, silicon or aluminium, said oxidizer component being capable of reacting with said azide component to generate gas, said process comprising the steps of:forming an aqueous dispersion of the redox-couple wherein the azide component is totally dissolved and the oxidizer is uniformly dispersed and stabilised in the azide solution;passing said aqueous dispersion through a spray nozzle to form a stream of droplets; andcontacting said droplets with hot air whereby the water is removed to produce solid particles of gas-generating composition.

Abstract: The pyrotechnic ignition device of this invention comprises a hollow tubular coiled charge of pyrotechnic sheet material defining an ignition initiation position, the internal diameter of the charge decreasing and the wall thickness increasing over at least a portion of the charge extending from the initiation position in the direction of burning. This configuration enhances the reliability of ignition and the rate of flame development.Preferably the adjacent plies of the coiled charge are spaced apart. The preferred coiled charge also has a portion downstream from the initiation position in the direction of burning which decreases in external diameter and wall thickness in a direction extending away from the initiation position, the configuration of this portion being effective to enhance the speed and violence of burning of a main gas-generating propellant charge ignited by the coiled charge.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the manufacture of a broken-emulsion which is comprised of polyglycol bottoms and emulsion. The broken-emulsion can be made from waste emulsion and can subsequently be used as a fuel component and/or oxidizer in an explosive.

Abstract: A system is providing for simultaneously addressing the problems of deadhead pumping, dry pumping, and seal failure in progressive cavity pumps. The system uses a hydraulic channel (23, 25, 26) which runs from the pump's rotor (5) to the pump's hydraulic motor (21) and includes the spaces defined by the seals (17) for the joints (8A, 8B) in the drive line for the rotor (5). At the rotor (5), the system includes a plug (19) which melts at a predetermined temperature. The hydraulic channel (23, 25, 26) is filled with lubricating oil and is pressurized. A drop in pressure either as a result of the melting of the plug (19) or a break in the integrity of the seals (17) is detected and used to stop the operation of the pump's motor (21). The system is resistant to disablement by operators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hardening ammonium nitrate by combining ammonium nitrate with a functionally active polymer. A functionally active polymer may be combined with ammonium nitrate by itself as a shell or intermixed with the ammonium nitrate. The invention is found useful in hardening ammonium nitrate for use in explosives.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating for ammonium nitrate prills which enhances the storage life and facilitates the transportation of said prills. The coating is derived from stearic acid and is hydrophobic.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved connector comprising a first and second holding means for pressure fitting a detonating cord and shock tube in a substantially orthogonal pressure fitting relationship.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an article of manufacture which provides a disc which both cleans primary charge contaminants on detonator cylinder walls, and shapes the preloaded primary charge in the containment chamber of the detonator.

Abstract: A mixed surfactant system for use in emulsion explosives is provided which confers improved emulsion stability and comprises a surfactant and a co-surfactant, each having branched chain hydrocarbyl tail groups, the former having significantly longer tail chain groups than the latter, for which system poly[alk(en)yl] succinic anhydride based surfactants are especially preferred, said surfactants having an interaction parameter, .beta., which is less than zero.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector for transmission tubes wherein a first initiated transmission tube transfers a signal to a second transmission tube within said connector.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sensitizer provided as a foam that may be used individually and/or added to explosives, propellants, and/or pyrotechnics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to intimately combining petroleum products with ammonium nitrate prills forming a coating thereon, whereby said coating is tackified and free flowing.

Abstract: A cap-sensitive emulsion explosive capable of being used in packaged explosive products. The explosive contains ammonium nitrate prills of a bulk density of 0.70 to 1.00 g/cc, with a particle density of 1.25 to 1.40 g/cc. A polysuccinic anhydride based emulsifying agent is used as an emulsifying agent. Packaged explosives prepared according to the present invention have improved package stability, and allow for control of the ratio of shock energy to heave energy.

Abstract: Precipitation of fine azide core particles with in-situ coating with suspended tiny oxide particles, followed by concentration of the dilute suspension of these bodies to form a slurry with residual dissolved azide in the liquor, and finally converting the slurry in to solid aggregates of the pyrotechnic bodies by e.g. prilling whereby liquid phase evaporation releases dissolved azide causing the pyrotechnic bodies to be adhered together in to larger aggregates.