Abstract: In a process for the production of a `water-in-fuel` or `melt-in-fuel` emulsion explosive a density-reducing agent is introduced and dispersed in the emulsion at an elevated temperature whereat the emulsion is essentially liquid, the explosive is cartridged and then subsequently cooled by means of a refrigerated fluid so that the continuous phase solidifies and stabilizes the dispersion of the density-reducing agent in the explosive. Preferably, when the density-reducing agent comprises gas bubbles the explosive is subjected to an elevated pressure before it is cartridged in order to ensure that the sensitivity of the explosive will not be impaired by disturbance of gas bubbles by any pressure drop which might occur during cartridging.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a `water-in-fuel` or `melt-in-fuel` emulsion explosive a density-reducing agent is introduced and dispersed in the emulsion at an elevated temperature whereat the emulsion is essentially liquid, the explosive is cartridged and then subsequently cooled by means of a refrigerated fluid so that the continuous phase solidifies and stabilizes the dispersion of the density-reducing agent in the explosive. Preferably, when the density-reducing agent comprises gas bubbles the explosive is subjected to an elevated pressure before it is cartridged in order to ensure that the sensitivity of the explosive will not be impaired by disturbance of gas bubbles by any pressure drop which might occur during cartridging.

Abstract: A method of making an explosive in the form of an emulsion, which includes two stages being a first stage comprising directing a plurality of 0.5 to 5 mm diameter jets of the discontinuous phase into the continuous phase, in the presence of an emulsifier, and feeding the continuous phase containing the discontinuous phase through a static mixer to form a relatively coarse, fuel-rich emulsion; and a second stage comprising directing a plurality of 0.5 to 5 mm diameter jets of the discontinuous phase into the continuous phase of said coarse emulsion, and feeding the coarse emulsion with the added discontinuous phase through two further static mixers arranged in series. The invention further extends to an apparatus for performing the method of the invention.