Abstract: A full-automatic rock specimen image acquisition device and method, the device includes a central controller and a lighting system, a rock mass attitude control system, a dust system and an image acquisition system connected to the central controller respectively; the lighting system includes a lighting chamber and light sources with adjustable light intensities, and the light sources with adjustable light intensities are uniformly arranged in the lighting chamber; the rock mass attitude control system includes a rotating stage disposed in the lighting chamber for carrying the rock, a rock holder disposed on the stage, and a rotating gripper disposed above the stage for turning over the rock; and the dust system is connected to the lighting chamber, and can diffuse the dust into the lighting chamber through an air compressor and control the dust concentration in the lighting chamber through an electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid, particulate, non-explosive composition comprising ammonium nitrate-based particles, in particular a fertilizer composition, of which, on the one hand, the potential misuse as a precursor for an explosive composition is limited without, on the other hand, hampering its legitimate use by farmers for food production. The solid, particulate, non-explosive composition further comprises a gelling agent which is able to form a substantially water-insoluble and non-filterable hydrogel after the solid fertilizer composition is contacted with water. The gelling agent is selected from the group of gum-based gelling agents, in particular xanthan gum-based agents and guar gum-based agents, most preferably is a xanthan gum-based agent.

Abstract: Compositions, methods and systems involving nitrate compounds are disclosed and described. A method of dissolving a nitrate compound having an additive can comprise dissolving the nitrate compound to form an aqueous nitrate solution and adding a surfactant to the aqueous nitrate solution, where the surfactant disperses the additive.

Abstract: A dry water resistant ANFO-explosive, containing one or more organic fuels, one or more inorganic salts, one or more water thickening agents, and a gas generating substance which develops a gas when it gets in contact with water in a blast hole, and thereby transforms itself into a watergel slurry.

Abstract: A thixotropic oxidizer gel comprising inhibited red fuming nitric acid (IA) as the carrier with lithium nitrate (LiNO.sub.3) suspended therein and gelled with a gellant agent of SiO.sub.2 having a mean particle size of 0.015 microns has the rheological properties which can be tailored to match those of MICOM GEL, a fuel gel.A thixotropic gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) has been of particular interest because of its increased safety, reduced sloshing, ease of pumping at zero gravity and ability to suspend high concentrations of high-energy ingredients. However, a gelled oxidizer has been desired for use with the gelled fuel to constitute a thixotropic gelled propellant system. The combination of a gelled fuel (MICOM GEL) and a gelled oxidizer is now a reality after the development of the thixotropic oxidizer gel disclosed above. Of major significance is the matching of the rheologial properties of the two gels so that an oxidizer/fuel (O/F) ratio shift does not occur with a temperature change.

Abstract: A water resistant blasting explosive comprises an organic carbonaceous fuel, an inorganic oxidizing salt, and particulate filler material, wherein prior to exposing the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt to the organic carbonaceous fuel, from about 15 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 10 sieve, from about 15 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 14 sieve and from about 20 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 20 sieve. The explosive is further characterized in that it is effectively free of gelling agents. The explosive has good water resistance and explosive energy.

Abstract: A method of increasing the water resistance of a blasting explosive comprising an organic carbonaceous fuel, an inorganic oxidizing salt having a particular particle size distribution and a gelling agent comprising the step of adding to the blasting explosive a particulate filler material. The particle size distribution of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are selected to increase the water resistance of the blasting explosive.

Abstract: A blasting explosive comprises an organic carbonaceous fuel, an inorganic oxidizing salt, a gelling agent and particulate filler material, wherein prior to exposing the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt to the organic carbonaceous fuel and the gelling agent, from about 15 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 10 sieve, from about 15 to about 60 wt % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 14 sieve and from about 20 to about 60 wt. % of the particulate filler material and the inorganic oxidizing salt are retained on a Tyler 20 sieve.

Abstract: A blasting composition for use in boreholes of diameter not less than 80 mm. The composition contains more than about 25% of solid oxidiser particles such as limestone ammonium nitrate. These particles are in the form of dense prills, granules or crystals and about 80% of them have a minimum thickness in the range of 1/200 to 1/75 of borehole diameter.

Abstract: Particles of glass or silica type material are added to pellets of gas generating material as the gas generating material is being loaded into the combustion chamber of a gas generator or inflator. When the inflator is fired, the liquids and gases produced by the resulting rapid combustion process are cooled and condensed by the particles of glass or silica type material to a solid inside the combustion chamber near the exit ports or outlet holes thereof. This dramatically reduces the amount of combustible particle residue or particulates that leave the inflator.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a gas generating composition suitable for use in air bag systems. The gas generating composition is comprised of a solid metal azide as a fuel, an alkali nitrate as an oxidizer, and diatomaceous earth as an additive.

Abstract: An explosive and propellant composition is obtained by admixing finely divided particles of ascorbic acid and a nitrate-containing oxidation agent, such as potassium nitrate. Admixing can be carried out in the dry state, at room temperature. The composition upon ignition gives off no sulfurous fumes, and leaves little or no carbon residue; and causes no corrosion with contacted metal surfaces.

Abstract: A process for the production of a chemically gassed emulsion explosive wherein a chemical gassing agent is added to the emulsion as an essentially dry particulate powder. The process allows for the production of stable emulsion explosives which have more controllable emulsion explosive characteristics.

Abstract: A chemically sensitized dry explosive is provided, which can be used as a blasting agent, per se, or can be used in the production of a wide variety of explosive compositions. The compositions are typically manufactured from an unstable emulsion explosive and have a chemical sensitizer in either the continuous or discontinuous phase. The compositions are characterized in that they comprise 5 to 30% water in the discontinuous phase after crystallization of the composition.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing a multi-phase emulsion explosive from a liquid organic fuel medium and an immiscible liquid oxidizer comprises a mixing chamber, flow constrictor means for introducing the liquid oxidizer as an emergent turbulent jet to said chamber and causing formation of droplets of said oxidizer in situ within the chamber, means for introducing the fuel medium to said chamber so that the fuel introduced thereby contacts and stabilizes the droplets of oxidizer solution as they are formed to maintain same as discrete droplets of oxidizer liquid and thereby provide an emulsion suitable for use as the basis for an explosive system.

Abstract: Sensitized inorganic nitrate mixtures with high brisance are provided in which oxygen balance is attained by the incorporation of aluminum dust and hydrocarbons. Cap sensitivity is achieved by adding an organic nitrate. The resultant mixtures have a low tendency to sweat and cause headaches.

Abstract: In emulsion blend explosives, the replacement of coarse salt particles, e.g., prills, by fines, i.e., particles which pass a No. 50 U.S. sieve, increases the water resistance of the explosive without deleteriously affecting its shelf life provided that the explosive, prior to such replacement, is storage-stable as determined by the Salt Extraction and lead compression tests described herein. Products containing a combination of whole and crushed ammonium nitrate prills, and emulsions made with an anionic emulsifying agent such as a fatty acid salt, are preferred. Depending on the fines content and chemical composition, other properties such as sensitivity to initiation and detonation velocity also may be improved.

Abstract: A solid or semisolid propellant comprising grains of propellant or propellant components bonded together so as to create voids within the propellant volume, said grains bonded together with sufficient strength to substantially delay the fluidization of the propellant by the onset of Taylor unstable burning, said propellant having a rapid burn rate below that associated with Taylor unstable burn. In another embodiment, the grains are held within and the voids are filled with viscous fluid binder such as a petroleum oil, said binder functioning to hinder Taylor unsatable burning and yet permit very rapid burning within the propellant volume.

Abstract: In emulsion blend explosives, the replacement of coarse salt particles, e.g., prills, by fines, i.e., particles which pass a No. 50 U.S. sieve, increases the water resistance of the explosive without deleteriously affecting its shelf life provided that the explosive, prior to such replacement, is storage-stable as determined by the Salt Extraction and lead compression tests described herein. Products containing a combination of whole and crushed ammonium nitrate prills, and emulsions made with an anionic emulsifying agent such as a fatty acid salt, are preferred. Depending on the fines content and chemical composition, other properties such as sensitivity to initiation and detonation velocity also may be improved.

Abstract: An explosive composition of the water-in-oil emulsion type includes at least one emulsified gel formed of an oxidizing solution of an inorganic salt dissolved in water and a fuel phase containing a liquid hydrocarbon and an emulsifier in combination with an inert or reactive lighting constituent and, if appropriate, one or more oxidizing salts or metal fuels. Pursuant to the invention the composition additionally contains from 4% to 55% of inert or semi-inert solids. The explosive composition provides enhanced safety characteristics through detonation velocity reduction and is thus well suited for dangerous atmospheres such as those encountered in coal mines. Additionally, the explosive composition exhibits a nonsticky plastic to semiplastic texture which facilitates cartridging on conventional machinery, all while retaining normal detonation characteristics.

Abstract: Ammonium nitrate shale oil explosives are provided which are effective, powerful, inexpensive, and safe. The explosives contain about 2% to 10% by weight shale oil and about 90% to 98% by weight ammonium nitrate. The shale oil can be whole shale oil or heavy shale oil containing from 0.1% to 65% by weight oil shale dust. The ammonium nitrate is preferably in the form of explosive grade ammonium nitrate prills.

Abstract: A granulated blasting agent composition comprising ammonium nitrate, a nitroalkane having of from 2 to 3 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof, a density improver selected from the group consisting of wheat flour and bentonite and polyoxyethylene ether as a thickening agent for the nitroalkane in an amount sufficient to prevent migration of the nitroalkane from the ammonium nitrate.

Abstract: An aqueous slurry explosive blasting composition comprising an aqueous suspension of water-soluble crystalline oxidizing salt consisting predominantly of ammonium nitrate, which salt has been comminuted in a saturated aqueous solution in the presence of a water-soluble crystal-growth inhibiting surfactant having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion in its molecule, in intimate admixture with liquid water-immiscible hydrocarbon fuel sensitizer. The surfactant maintains the oxidizer salt in a finely divided state and also ensures that the liquid hydrocarbon remains uniformly distributed throughout the explosive mass as a stable coating of droplets on the salt particles thereby enhancing the explosive sensitivity of the composition.

Abstract: This invention relates to propellants and in particular to a method for safely forming a binary propellant.More specifically, this invention relates to a method for safely forming a Binary Propellant useful as a propellant replacement for Black Powder.

Abstract: An explosive composition comprising ammonium nitrate, a nitroalkane, a sensitizer, and an oxidizable fuel.

Abstract: A slurry composition based essentially on ammonium nitrate, prepared by a process which comprises comminuting solid substance containing ammonium nitrate by grinding in the presence of a saturated solution of solid in a liquid in which the solid has a solubility greater than 1% by weight, the mixture of the solution and the solid being in fluid condition with the solid being a separate phase during grinding and the solution having dissolved therein an additive which is a crystal growth inhibitor for the solid whereby crystal growth is inhibited at both existing crystal surfaces and new crystal surfaces created by the breaking down of relatively coarse particles.

Abstract: A blasting booster comprises a rigid tube filled with a mixture, by weight, of about: 60% to 80% ammonium nitrate prills ground through a 1/16" screen; 12% to 35% whole ammonium nitrate prills and 3% to 8% diesel oil. Preferably the mixture includes about 0.4% to 10% aluminum fuel and the weight ratio of ground to whole prills is about 4 to 1. In use the booster tube is plastic lined and is placed in the bottom of a bore hole which is filled with AN-FO or an appropriate blasting agent. A one-pound cast primer on top of the booster is detonated to initiate the booster and the AN-FO, whereby detonation velocities and pressures in excess of non-boosted AN-FO, for example, are achieved in the critical bottom three feet of the bore hole. Bore hole patterns, where the booster is used, are expanded over tighter patterns required for non-boosted AN-FO alone, and drilling costs are significantly reduced.

Abstract: 1. A solid composite propellant consisting of 7% to 15% of a carboxyl-terminated butadiene polymer binder, 66% to 82% of ammonium perchlorate, greater than 0% to 18% of aluminum and greater than 0% to 8% of n-butyl ferrocene as a burning rate catalyst, the ingredient amounts being in weight per cent, and wherein the particle size of the ammonium perchlorate is greater than 0 but less than 3 microns in size.

Abstract: The stabilization of a fine dispersion of an immiscible liquid hydrocarbon fuel throughout an aqueous blasting composition having a continuous aqueous phase is accomplished by the use of a crystal habit modifier to reduce the crystal size of the oxidizer salt in the composition. Such reduction is found to be critical for stabilizing the fine dispersion of immiscible hydrocarbon fuel droplets throughout the composition and resultantly for maintaining the sensitivity of the composition to detonation.

Abstract: Particulate high explosives containing ammonium nitrate and organic or inorganic ammonium nitrate sensitizers are disclosed along with methods of producing the same. The sensitizers, comprising sulfur, metals, carbonaceous material and combinations of these, are dispersed throughout each particle in intimate association with the ammonium nitrate by suspension in a layer of ammonium nitrate-calcium sulfate reaction product.