Abstract: The present invention is directed to an explosive composition comprised of heavy ANFO and expanded polymeric beads that have a density that is less than the density of the heavy ANFO. The expanded polymeric beads have a size that is determined or based on the size of ammonium nitrate prills used in the heavy ANFO portion of the composition. In one embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads that are utilized in the composition are at least 70% of the lower limit of the mesh size of the predominant ammonium nitrate prill mesh size. In another embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads are at least 70% of a size that is related to the average mesh size of the ammonium nitrate prills.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosives to a blast hole. One embodiment of the platform provides the ability to obtain weight information relating to the contents of a tank that is associated with the platform and that, in operation, contains either the bulk explosive or a constituent of the explosive. The platform comprises a vehicle with a frame, a tank, a load cell structure for connecting the frame and the tank and providing weight data relating to the contents of the tank, and a suspension system that prevents relative movement of the frame and the tank that could compromise the load cell structure. Another embodiment of the platform provides a tank for holding an explosive composition and a rotary shaft that supports a mixing blade that mixes the explosive composition within the tank. The platform further comprises bearing structure for supporting the rotary shaft that is located to deter any of the explosive composition from entering the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an explosive composition comprised of heavy ANFO and expanded polymeric beads that have a density that is less than the density of the heavy ANFO. The expanded polymeric beads have a size that is determined or based on the size of ammonium nitrate prills used in the heavy ANFO portion of the composition. In one embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads that are utilized in the composition are at least 70% of the lower limit of the mesh size of the predominant ammonium nitrate prill mesh size. In another embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads are at least 70% of a size that is related to the average mesh size of the ammonium nitrate prills.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an explosive composition comprised of heavy ANFO and expanded polymeric beads that have a density that is less than the density of the heavy ANFO. The expanded polymeric beads have a size that is determined or based on the size of ammonium nitrate prills used in the heavy ANFO portion of the composition. In one embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads that are utilized in the composition are at least 70% of the lower limit of the mesh size of the predominant ammonium nitrate prill mesh size. In another embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads are at least 70% of a size that is related to the average mesh size of the ammonium nitrate prills.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosives to a blast hole. One embodiment of the platform provides the ability to obtain weight information relating to the contents of a tank that is associated with the platform and that, in operation, contains either the bulk explosive or a constituent of the explosive. The platform comprises a vehicle with a frame, a tank, a load cell structure for connecting the frame and the tank and providing weight data relating to the contents of the tank, and a suspension system that prevents relative movement of the frame and the tank that could compromise the load cell structure. Another embodiment of the platform provides a tank for holding an explosive composition and a rotary shaft that supports a mixing blade that mixes the explosive composition within the tank. The platform further comprises bearing structure for supporting the rotary shaft that is located to deter any of the explosive composition from entering the bearing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an explosive composition comprised of heavy ANFO and expanded polymeric beads that have a density that is less than the density of the heavy ANFO. The expanded polymeric beads have a size that is determined or based on the size of ammonium nitrate prills used in the heavy ANFO portion of the composition. In one embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads that are utilized in the composition are at least 70% of the lower limit of the mesh size of the predominant ammonium nitrate prill mesh size. In another embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads are at least 70% of a size that is related to the average mesh size of the ammonium nitrate prills.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an explosive composition comprised of heavy ANFO and expanded polymeric beads that have a density that is less than the density of the heavy ANFO. The expanded polymeric beads have a size that is determined or based on the size of ammonium nitrate prills used in the heavy ANFO portion of the composition. In one embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads that are utilized in the composition are at least 70% of the lower limit of the mesh size of the predominant ammonium nitrate prill mesh size. In another embodiment, the expanded polymeric beads are at least 70% of a size that is related to the average mesh size of the ammonium nitrate prills.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mobile platform for the delivery of bulk explosives to a blast hole. One embodiment of the platform includes a vehicle, a tank for holding an explosive composition, and a conduit structure for conveying an explosive composition between the tank and a blast hole. The platform also includes a load cell structure for providing weight/mass data related to whatever explosive composition is disposed in the tank. The conduit structure includes a movable tube that is used to convey the explosive composition from a discharge port associated with the tank towards a blast hole. The platform is configured to prevent the movable tube and any explosive composition located in the tube from adversely affecting the operation of the load cells.