Abstract: A process and apparatus is provided for the continuous manufacture of a water-in-oil explosive emulsion precursor. Separate streams of the water phase component and the oil phase component are introduced into an in-line motionless mixer. A chosen portion of the output from the mixer is recirculated and returned to the motionless mixer for further emulsification. The process allows for the production of a very high phase ratio water-to-oil emulsion (up to 95% water phase) without phase inversion after long storage. The precursor is simply converted to a sensitive explosive by means of known density lowering techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the efficient and safe manufacture of batch quantities of non-cap-sensitive emulsion explosives. The method employs none of the high shear mixing or homogenizing techniques of the prior art and hence hazards from heat and mechanical breakdown (impact) are eliminated. The method consists of tumbling the oil phase of the emulsion in a rotating, internally baffled mixer and slowly adding thereto the aqueous phase. The resulting emulsion explosive is detonable by boostering in large diameter charges.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition is provided wherein the continuous carbonaceous oil or fuel phase comprises an unrefined or partly refined petroleum product, for example, slackwax. The resulting explosive composition exhibits properties of strength, detonation velocity and stability comparable and in some cases superior to similar compositions containing refined petroleum fuels.

Abstract: A water-in-oil explosive composition based on colloidal dispersions is provided. Unlike conventional emulsion explosive compositions, the microemulsion composition of the invention displays exceptional long term storage stability retaining sensitivity to propagation even in small diameter charges. The composition is also tolerant to doping with further fuel and energy enhancing ingredients. The microemulsion-producing component of the composition comprises a combination of at least one conventional water-in-oil emulsifier and at least one amphiphatic synthetic polymeric emulsifier selected from graft, block or branch polymers.

Abstract: A water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition is provided containing sorbitan mono-oleate, sorbitan sesquioleate and glycerides of fatty acids as the emulsification agent and also containing a highly clorinated paraffinic hydrocarbon as an emulsification promoter. The presence of the clorinated hydrocarbon produces improved sensitivity even in small diameter cartridges.