BLASTING ACCESSORIES

SUBMITTED BY
ANKIT KUMAR, PROJECT JRF
DEPTT. OF MINING ENGINEERING
OUTLINE

1. INTRODUCTION

2. ACCESSORIES FOR INITIATING BLAST (INITIATING DEVICES)

2.1 NON-ELECTRIC SYSTEMS

2.2 ELECTRIC SYSTEMS
2.3 ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

3. ACCESSORIES FOR BLAST CIRCUIT TESTING

4. BLASTING ACESSORIES TO MAKE BLAST ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY

5. OTHER BLASTING ACCESSORIES

 1. INTRODUCTION

Parallel to evolution of explosives, different blasting accessories which

include various initiating devices and blasting assisting equipments are
developed in an attempt to obtain following objectives:

 Energetic initiation of the modern explosives, which is much more insensitive

than classical dynamites but also safer.
 Control over initiation times to improve fragmentation.
 Reduction of the vibration levels, air blasts and fly-rocks produced in blasts.
 Punctual priming, either at the top or base of the blasthole, or axial priming.
 More speed and flexibility in breakage operations while maintaining a high
degree of safety for personnel and installations.
2. ACCESSORIES FOR INITIATING BLAST (INITIATING
DEVICES)

There are various number of techniques which can be used for

introducing energy into a column of explosives and thereby
initiate detonation which are categorizes into three different
systems of initiator:

 Non- Electric initiator

 Electric initiator
 Electronic initiator
2.1 Non-Electric Initiator

 DETONATING CORD
- Strong flexible continuous detonator
- Made up of thin plastic tube of radius about 3mm with pentrite core.
- Comprises of variable core load of between 10gm/m to 60gm/m used as trunk line
and down line for initiation depending upon severity of application
-Initiated using cap of sufficient strength generally no. 8 cap ( 0.45 gm of PETN)
- Velocity of detonation of DF is generally 6600m/s to 7000m/s
 NONEL or Shock Tube
-Based upon the use of a tough sealed plastic tube ( OD= 3mm, ID=1.2mm) inside
of which is coated with a reactive substance HMX.
- Both end of shock tube comprises of nonel detonator with different delay timings
associated with each of them.
- One end of nonel provide down the hole delay initiation while trunkline detonator
enclosed in plastic connector .
- Shockwave whirls up a dust cloud of reactive material which is initiated by spark
and travels at speed of 2100m/s within tube.
- Being non-electrical and non-metallic, shock tubes are less sensitive to static
electricity and radio frequency energy and thus have replaced many uses of
electric detonators and are safer to handle and store than detonating cord.
Non-electric ( nonel) initiator

Detonating cord
2.2 Electric initiator

Basically electronic detonators are of two types:

 Instantaneous Electric Detonators
 Delay electric detonators
Detail construction of electric detonators:
o It consists of cylindrical metal tubes of aluminum or copper.
o Inside the tube starting from bottom is base charge of PETN and after this
ASA as a prime charge.
o Inside the tube fuse head is inserted. Fuse head cosists of nichrome wire
which is covered by flashing composition such as potassium chlorate
(oxidiser), charcoal (fuel) and lead thiocyanide (fuel sensitiser).
o Delay elements are inserted between fuse head and initiating charge ( if
delay detonator) and the timing are marked on each detonator.
o A pair of leg wires (TWC/GI) connects the fuse head which passes the
current through fuse head which heated the nichrome wire which when
ignited burns the flashing composition. This initiated the prime charge
which then initiate the base charge then detonator gets blasted.
o To make it water resistant the leg wire is first inserted into a sealing plug and
then soldered to fuse head .The whole set is inserted into metal cylindrical
shell containing PETN (base charge) and ASA as prime charge and crimping
is done with the help of collet.
o The delay timing is predetermined by the length, composition and burning
speed of delay element.
2.2.1 POWER SOURCE FOR ELECTRICAL
FIRING

 Electric blasting are energized by Exploders or by powerlines

through special arrangements

 Storage in dry cells batteries are not recommended for electrical

blasting because they cannot be dependent on for consistent output.

 The energizing of blasting with alternating current from an industrial

line or a generator is not recommended because, as the tension values
fluctuated during a cycle of 20ms, one never knows with what
intensity the blast will be energized, which could produce misfires.
2.2.1 Power source for electrical firing

 EXPLODERS

 SEQUENTIAL BLASTING MACHINES

 MAINS FIRING
Exploders are of two types used in blasting:

• Condenser discharge type

• Generator type

Condenser type
 The capacitor discharge CD a condenser is charged to a high
voltage and discharged latter through the external firing circuit.
 The basic source may be a low voltage dry battery or
electromagnetic generator.
 One button or switch is activated to charge the capacitors and
other switch is activated o fire the blast.
 Some are capable of firing 100 caps in parallel series.
Generator type
Rack bar
 Operated by vigorously pushing down a rack bar, which
through set of gears spin rotor in a D.C
 The electrical energy from generator is connected to output
terminals when rack bar reaches the bottom in its downward
travel where it closes a switch.
 Capable of blasting 30-50 caps in single series.
Key twist type
 A spring is first wound and then with help of keys it is
suddenly released .This through set of gears spin rotor in a
D.C.
 Operated by key twist of handle with one hand while the
machine is held firmly on other hand.
 Capacity of 250-400 shots.
2.3 Electronic Initiator Systems
- Electronic detonator consists of an electronic circuit which controls the
delay timing of the detonator. The Microprocessor-based electronic circuit
permits setting of variable delay timing.
- Each detonator has a unique detonator ID number allotted to it at the time
of manufacture. Also, each detonator is provided with a unique tag number
which acts as a detonator ID number.
- The electronic circuit has a digital timing circuit and an energy storage
device, which will release the energy, only when the arm and then the firing
instruction is given.
- The electronic detonator is connected to a connector by a Twin
Copper/Copper coated steel wire. The micro logger can be connected to the
twin Copper/Copper coated steel wire through the connector.
- The Electronic Detonator consists of the following parts :
1. Detonator Shell : The detonator shell is made of either Aluminum or
Copper and having an outer diameter of 7.5 mm. The length of the shell
varies from 80-85mm.
2. The Base charge and Primary charge : It is made of PETN and ASA
composition.
3. Electronic Circuit Board : The electronic circuit or the Chip controls the
delay timing and safely allows the firing sequence.
4. Lead Wire : It consists of twin Copper/Copper coated steel wire with PVC
coating.
5. Connector : This is a hinged plastic device, which would connect the
individual detonator through the twin Copper/Copper coated steel wire to the
main circuit. The connector is used for quick connection of the detonator to
the main bus line.
6. Lead Wire Spool : For lead wire length of above 10 metres, the wire is
coiled on to a plastic spool.The detonator will be inserted and secured in the
centre shaft space.
- The Micro Logger : This is used to set the delay time and has the capability to
store information like hole number, detonator ID, delay time and the blast
number. The Micro Logger, when connected to the Electronic Detonator, it
allots to that particular detonator the ID number, hole number and the delay
time that has been set in to it. It also checks the integrity of the detonator. The
required/ desired delay time thus allotted can be changed, modified before the
data is transferred to the blasting machine. After logging all the detonators,
the data from the Micro Logger is transferred to the Network tester and
Blaster.
- Network Tester : The Network Tester is used to check the network
connection. The connection made with all the detonators will harness wire
and check with the network tester. If any one of those is not connected
properly, the hole ID of that particular detonator is displayed on the screen of
the Network Tester.
- Micro Blaster : This is used to check the circuit after all hook up is
completed. The blaster checks each detonator one after the other and confirms
its readiness to ‘Arm’ and ‘Fire the detonator.
- Delay Timing : The programmable electronic detonators can be set with a
delay interval of 1 ms from 0 ms to 8000 ms. The delay variation is maximum
1 ms for delay upto 500 ms and +/- 0.2% beyond 500ms.

Logger and micro blaster

3.0 BLASTING CIRCUIT TESTING

- Blasting procedure can be successfully executed only if proper care is

exercised in planning and connecting the blasting circuit.
- A list of possible circuit weakness in as given below:

 Discontinuity
 Current leakage
 Stray Electricity

 Discontinuity or shorts in :
- detonator circuit and
- the total or any part of blasting circuit
 Current leakage:
- can occur when damage to leg wire insulation allows the bare wire to make a
contact with the rock specially under conditions or conducting ore body.

 Stray Electricity:
- Current leakage from extraneous sources.

3.1 Two types of blasting circuit tester:

 Blasting Ohmeter
- used only to check circuit resistance
 Blasting Multimeter
- can be used to check circuit resistance, AC and DC voltage, stray current and
current leakage.
 Blasting multimeter

Blasting ohmmeter
 BLASTING ACESSORIES TO MAKE BLAST ENVIRONMENT
FRIENDLY

- Only 15-25% of the total explosive energy is used for fragmentation,

displacement and throw of the rock and out of which only 50% is used in
creating new surface area .Remaining energy is wasted without doing any
effective work in terms of flyrocks, ground vibration, air overpressure etc.
- It is a challenge for mining engineer to increase the use of explosive energy by
new innovations and development of blasting accessories. These developments
will reduce blasting cost and blasting hazards.

- These blasting accessories in blasting field may be proved an efficient tool to

increase the utilization of explosive energy by 1% .
 Blasting control plugs/ Stemming plugs
 Spacer ( Air- Decking)
 Blast Control Plugs/ Stemming Plugs

• Principle of Blast control plugs: Funnel

- When a blast control plug is introduced in the stemming column, it is
subjected to explosive pressure. When blast force hits the bottom of the
control plug , the forces pushes the bottom up causing the plug to expand and
seal against the drill hole wall. As the bottom moves upwards it forms a
wedge forcing the stemming against the plug wall. This control plug forces all
the explosive energy into the surrounding rocks. It means more explosive
energy is retained in the borehole. It reduces stemming ejection velocity
and increases face velocity.
- As, there is an inverse relationship between stemming velocity and face
velocity. It means the higher the stemming velocity, the lower the face
velocity. Therefore, blast control plug increases face velocity and results in
lower muck pile.
 METHOD OF BLAST CONTROL PLUG

- The correct size of blast control plug (funnel) is a diameter that’s approximately
90% of the drill hole diameter. It gives best results. The charging of explosive
in drill hole is being as per conventional methods. This funnel is used with
stemming column as shown in fig.
- The drill hole is first stemmed with crushed rock or drill cutting upto depth
equal to 1.5 to 2 times the diameter of the drill hole .This serves as buffer to
protect the plug from the thermal effects of the blast.
- Plug (funnel) is lowered into the hole through detonating fuse and tamped
into place by stemming rod and firmly sealed on the buffer material.
- As compared to conventional blasting:
• Improvement in fragmentation by 20%
• Reduction of boulder formation by 20-25%
• Elimination of venting of explosive forces through the drill holes greatly
reduces fly rock.
• It is a eco friendly technology . There is marked reduction in dust and noise.
• Drill hole pattern may be increased because the funnel allows full utilization
of explosive energy. Thus, reduction in both drilling and blasting cost.
• It allows explosives to be loaded higher into the cap rock with the higher
column loading better fragmentation are achieved and boulders are reduced.
• It reduces back break.
- SPACER ( USED IN AIR DECKING MEHOD OF
BLASTING )
- theory was first proposed by Melnikov and Marchenko (1971), and Melnikov
et al. (1979), who postulated that when shock waves reflect from the
boundary between the stemming bed and an air gap, a secondary shock
wave is generated that extends the network of fractures prior to gas
pressurization. The degree of fracture is increased by the second shock wave
and the duration of the shock wave action on the rock surrounding the hole
is also extended.
- Chiappetta and Mammele described the air deck between two explosive
charges as a form of energy accumulator, which first stores and later releases
energy in the form of additional stress waves that produce multiple loadings
in the medium. In contrast to the air decked borehole, a solid column
explosive generates a large amplitude impulse into the medium that
succeeds in creating many micro-fractures, but decays very quickly and the
stress field around the charge decays to a quasi-static state. The generation
of repeated loading cycles in air decked blasting helps in the growth and
branching of micro-fractures leading to improved fragmentation.
Researchers have validated this theory by numerical and physical modelling.
- Different materials can be used as spacer to provide Air deck in explosive
column, they are as follows:

 Plastic spacer
 Wooden spacer
 Activated Gas bags

Plastic spacer:
- Discarded water bottles were recently tried to provide air deck in blasting in
some mines in India. The results were very encouraging. The total explosive
cost was reduced by 7-16 % with better fragmentation, less fly rock and
reduced ground vibration. The carbon dioxide emission was also reduced by
5-11%.
- In India every year about 0.15 MMT of CO2 is emitted in the atmosphere by
detonation of explosive. By using discarded water bottles in blasting, 5-11%
CO2 emission could be reduced. Moreover, the technique was found very
effective in reducing explosive consumption and other environmental impacts
of blasting like ground vibration and fly rock.
 Wooden Spacer
- CMRI designed different kinds of wooden spacer which are economical and
easy to use. Fig. given below shows specification proposed by CMRI for 150
mm drill hole diameter . Laboratory test result shows that the spacer of 0.5m
length made up of murga wood in the middle and hard wood at the top would
withstand safe load approximately 2000 kg and yield load around 2200 kg.
For 1.0 m length spacer made up of Hollock wood the optimum load was
1000 kg both for 150 mm and 100 mm drill hole diameter .
 Activated Gas bags

- Gas bags are self initiating unit via aerosol can inside producing the inflating
gas. The gas bag is inflated by depressing the trigger at the top of aerosol can .
When trigger is locked down, it releases the contents of the aerosol can into
the gas bag and inflate it to the correct pressure to lock the bag in the borehole.
Gas bag are available for a variety of drill hole diameter.
- It can be used to check explosive wastage through fissure and voids where
SMS, SME or Bulk explosives are used.
- Wooden spacer are cheaper ,they are restricted to dry hole condition where
Gasbag can be used in any condition, they are found to perform well even in
watery holes on the top of old underground working.
5.0 OTHER BLASTING ACCESSORIES

- Connector
- Stemming tubes
- Stemming Euipment
- Centralizing and retention elements
- Lightning Detector
- Instrument for burden size ( generally toe burden)
- Non- metallic measuring tapes
- Blasting knives
- Crimper
- Lowering Ropes