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GM(Min)/(Vig)
Definition of Explosives : Explosives is a
chemical compound or mixture, when exploded
by action of heat, impact, gives large volume of
gases in a very short time at high temperature &
pressure.
Classification : All commercial Explosives are
broadly divided in two categories.
Low Explosives
High Explosives
Low Explosives : The chemical reaction in
low Explosives is called deflagration which is
a rapid process of combustion without
accompanying any shock wave but gives a
heaving effect.
Example : Gun Powder
Chemical Composition :
Sodium Nitrate - 72%
Sulphur - 12%
Coal - 16%
High Explosives : Reaction in High Explosives
is characterised by an associated shock wave
initiated by a detonator, basically contains.
Oxidisers - Such as Ammonium Nitrate Fuel
Oil
Sensitizers : Methyle Amino Nitrate, Per
chlorate Salt Physical Sensitizer : Entrapped
Air Bubbles
Various important Explosives Characteristics
are
Velocity of Detonation (VOD)
Weight Strength
Fume Characteristics
Thermal Stability
Sensitivity
Density
Water Resistance
Velocity of Detonation : It is the speed at which
detonation wave travels through the media, it
depends upon Explosive type. VOD is measured
by, some electronic means or by Dautriche test.
Average VOD varies form 2500 M/Sec - 5800
M/Sec.
Weight Strength : Weight strength is the energy
generated by an Explosive relative to that
produced by an equal weight of 94 AN 6 FO
(94%) Fuel Oil.
Bulk Strength : It is the energy released per unit volume
of Explosive as compared to ANFO. Bulk strength can be
calculated from weight strength using the equation
Relative Bulk Strength =
Relative Wt. Strength x Density
------------------------------
Density of ANFO
Water Resistance : Explosives differ widely in resistance
to water and moisture penetration. Some Explosives
deteriorate rapidly under wet conditions, but others are
designed to withstand water for long periods. When
blasting is to be done under wet conditions, a water
resistant Explosive is preferable.
Sensitivity : An Explosives is required to be
insensitive to normal handling, shock and
friction, but must remain sufficiently sensitive to
be satisfactorily detonated, and capable of
propagating satisfactorily, cartridge to cartridge,
even over gaps such as may occur in practice.
Fume Characteristics : Explosives, when used
under stipulated ventilation conditions, should
liberate a minimum of harmful gases in the
products of detonation.
Density : The density is important when selecting an
Explosive for a particular use. With a high density
Explosive the energy of the shot is concentrated a
desirable feature in tunneling and mining operations
in hard ground. On the other hand when the output of
lump coal from a mine is important, it is advisable to
use a low density Explosive, which distributes the
energy along the shothole.
Thermal Stability : Explosives compositions should
be such as to be stable under all normal conditions of
usage.
The DGMS stipulates that no blast hole shall be
charges if the temperature in the borehole
exceeds 80oC when blasting in hot ground.
Sometimes Explosives have to be used in sub
zero conditions in which some explosives
become insensitive. Explosives compositions of
M/s. Solar Explosives Ltd. are designed to be
stable and safe, under all conditions of use.
When blasting in hot ground, precautions as
stipulated by the DGMS should be adhered to.
Properties of NG & AN :
Nitro Glycerine (NG) - it is a liquid, insoluble in water,
highly sensitive to stock, friction and heat. In all Explosives
of N.G. based on nitroglycol is mixed for lowering the
freezing point, used for hardest rocks and metals and for
shooting oil wells.
Ammonium Nitrate (AN) :
It is a weak Explosives base. Difficult to initiate, so a
sensitizer like NG or TNT is used. It is Oxygen positive,
Hygroscopic, soluble in water. Tendency to form hard
cakes.
A SPECIAL EXPLOSIVES FOR CONTOUR
BLASTING
It is known as pipe charges or Gruit charge. Consist of
a plastic pipe (PVC) of dia 11mm & of length 460mm,
containing Explosives within it at concentration 0.11
Kg/m & 1.24 Kg/m respectively. Rate of detonation
4000 m/Sec. These are used in presplitting, smooth
blasting and when blasting close to buildings.
Advantages being saving in handling & charging time,
over charging is eliminated, less over break, less
cracking & less vibration.
BULK EMULSION :
Solar Explosives Ltd. has geared up for supply of
Bulk delivered system. This Emulsion technology
has been developed indigenously and
engineered a plant, which can manufacture
refined & reliable product. Emulsion technology
comes in the following categories :
Repumpable Emulsion
Site Mix Emulsion with Support Plant
Augered Heavy ANFO
Pumped Doped Emulsion
To deliver the product down the borehole,
company is offering initially repumpable type
and Pumped Doped Emulsion. For this
company has designed special pump, truck
capable of pumping Bulk Emulsion after
mixing with density control agent on site.
The system, which we are offering now, is named as
Repumpable Bulk Doped Emulsion, Solar BE 101. For
this system the emulsion of oxidiser and fuels is
prepared at location, where this facilities are
available. The emulsion can be stored in ambient
conditions and is non-explosive. This non-explosive
emulsion matrix after doping with Prilled Ammonium
Nitrate is mixed with gassing agents are charged into
bore hole by pump truck. The mixture becomes
sensitive only after the same is delivered in to the
blast hole and the gassing reaction completed in
above 15 minutes.
Various important blasting accessories are as
under :
1) Safety Fuse
2) Plastic Ignitor Cord.
3) Detonators.
Plain Detonators
Electric Detonators
Instantaneous Electric Detonators
Long delay Detonators
Short Delay Detonators
Non Electric Detonators
4) Cord Relay
5) Detonating Cord
6) Magnadet
7) Anodet
8) Ohm Meter
9) Exploder
Safety Fuse :
A cord of special black powder wrapped in envelope made
up of various layers of textile yarn & water proofing
material. Used for directly igniting low Explosive of
initiating high Explosive through plain detonator. Burning
rate 100-130 sec/m.
Plastic Ignitor Cord :
Used for ignition of several fuses in quick succession in any
desire sequence. It is 1.8-2.5 mm dia fuse, which gives
intense flame at uniform rate. Rates 3.3 S/M of 33 S/M.
slower one contains a core of a cu wire coated with plastic
incendiary composition and an iron wire added for
strength, with plastic covering.
PLAIN DETONATORS :
Used for initiating high explosives but are them selves
ignited by safety fuse consist of 6mm dia Al. Tube
partly filled with detonating charges. Modern
detonators have a base charge of PETN (Penta
Erithetetrol Tetra Nitrate) with a priming charge of
A.S.A. (Lead Azide, Lead Styphnate and Al. Powder)
strength depends upon amount of base charge.
No.6 & No.8, No.6=0.22gm. of PETN & 35mm long.
No.8=0.45gm. PETN & 48 mm long both contains 0.2
gm ASA.
These are fired electrically.
INSTANTTANEOUS ELECTRIC DETONATORS :
Comprises of Cu of Al. Tube of 7mm dia and a little longer
than the plain detonator so as to accommodate the fuse
head and the neopren plug. Copper Detonators are for
gassy coal mine where highly incendiary Al. is prohibited.
Explosive charges are ignited by an electric fuse head of
Nickel-Chromium-Iron alloy bridge wire soldered to the
ends brass foils separated by an insulating piece of card
board.
Fuse Head Composition : Potassium Chlorate, Nitro
Cellulose, Charcoal (See Sketch)
ELECTRIC DELAY DETONATORES :
Special use in shaft sinking tunneling, drifting where
successive rounds are better fired in a certain sequence with
adequate time interval in between rounds so that each round
breaks into clear free face. In delay detonators a time lag is
deliberately introduced between the firing of the fuse head
and the explosion of the detonator.
LONG DELAY DETONATORS :
These are also known as half second delay detonators
having nominal delay interval of around 300 to 500 ms for
each. These are widely used for tunneling work and
generally from 1 to 10 Nos. are available.
SHORT DELAY :
Short Delay electric detonators are same as long delay in
construction and strength and above nominal delay interval
of 25 ms. for each delay.
Delay composition of long delay detonator comprise of
antimony and KMNO while it is Red Lead & Silicon for short
delay.
NON ELECTRIC DETONATORS :
Earlier mentioned plain detonator also fall under this but due
to its restricted use it is explained under separate heading.
Non-electric delay detonator basically consist of a length
of plastic single tube to which is fitted a powerful delay
detonators.
The single tube is made of a special plastic material. The
outer dia being 3 mm and inner dia 1.0 mm. Its inner
surface is lightly coated with a mixture of reactive
powders which provide the energy transmitting medium
with in the tubing on initiation by a detonator cord or by a
detonator a shock wave propagates along inside the tube
at a velocity of about 2000 M/sec. without bursting the
tubing and therefore having no effect on any Explosives
through which is passes.
The resulting flame front ignites the top of the delay
element with in the detonator tube.
CORD RELAY :
These devices permit short delay to be introduced into trunk
lines of detonating cords. A cord relay consists of two delay
detonators mounted inside a resilient plastic shell. They are
bi-directional in operation, Cord Relays are available in the 15
Ms, 17 Ms, 25 Ms, 50 Ms, 75 Ms, 100 Ms, delay time. The
shorter delay intervals are generally required for small (65-
90mm) dia blast holes drilled on close spacing whereas the
longer intervals are suited to larger blast holes drilled on
wider spacing.
Cord Relays are designed for use with detonating cords,
which have core loads of 10 gm/M. No special connecting
tool is needed.
DETONATING FUSE :
It serves the same purpose as detonators and
directly initiates the high Explosives while them
needing a detonator for initiation. Useful in
simultaneous multiple shot firing minimising the
use of several detonators. Advantageous in
blasting long hole. It comprises of PETN (Penta
Erithetetrol Tetranitrate) train enclosed in a tape
wrapped in textile yarn and whole thing covered
by plastic. Finished dia 5 mm for the D.F., which
contain 10 gm PETN meter (See Sketch).
OHM METER :
Used for testing the continuity and resistance of blasting
circuits. These are of two types.
Powered by low voltage hand operated generator.
1.5v dry battery type.
EXPLODER :
Used for firing shots electrically, these are of two types:
i) Generator type :- Magneto of dynamo (for large capacity)
operated by a quick twist of strong down ward push of
handle.
ii) Condenser discharge type :- Can be battery of dynamo
powered.
No. of Charge Total
Holes Per Hole Charge
Per Ring (Kg) Per Ring (Kg)
Ring 5 1.40 7.00
Sumpers 8 1.12 8.96
Inner Easers 12 0.98 11.76
Quter Easers 16 0.98 15.68
Trimmers 41 1.05 43.40
Tunneling in rocks is currently performed mainly by blasting,
as this method only is capable of providing sufficiently high
effectiveness and economics in the construction of tunnel in
tough rocks.
Tunneling by tunnel borers is considered to be less effective
especially as regards the construction of tunnels of large
cross sectional areas.
Drifting /Tunnel Driving Methods in Rocks :
The shot holes in a stone drift or tunnel are arranged in a
particular form or pattern. The drifting pattern, holes are
generally divided into three groups, e.g. Cut holes, Easer and
Trimmers.
Cut holes : Shot holes in this group are generally longer
(approx. 15 cm) than the shot holes of other group. These
holes are fired first to created free face for the shots of
easers. Since these holes first make the opening in the face,
they are prime responsible for the depth of pull.
Easers : The shot holes of this group are placed in the drift
around the cut holes in two or more rings depending on the
cross - sectional area. These holes ease the burden between
the succeeding shot holes to enlarge the excavation area of
the drift.
Trimmers : The shot holes of this group are place around the
easer which are fired at the last to make the final shape of
the drift.
The following type of cuts commonly use in Drifting /
Tunneling :
(A) Cone / Pyramid / Diamond cut : Four or Six cut holes are
driven at the middle of the face which converge at the end to
form either a Cone or a Pyramid or diamond shape.
Maximum concentration of charge is at the apex of these cut
holes, which are fired first to create a free face for the rest of
the shot, which are fired next with the help of delays.
(B) Wedge Cut : Horizontal cut holes are driven in inclined at
an angle less than 45 degree to the face towards the centre.
Like Cone / Pyramid cut maximum concentration of charge
at the apex of these cut holes, which are fired first to create a
free face for the rest of the shot, which are fired next with
the help of delays.
(C) Parallel holes cut (Burn Cut, Cylinder Cut, Coromant Cut ) :
A cluster of parallel shot holes are drilled at perpendicular to
the face to blast out a cavity in the centre of the heading.
Some of the holes are heavily charge with explosives while
others are kept empty to provided free face for reflection of
shock waves. There is specific geometrical relationship
between the diameter of empty hole and spacing between
the centres of empty hole and charged holes in a given rock,
which gives the essential condition of free breakage.
(D) Drag Cut / Draw Cut : These type of cut is most suitable
for the laminated rocks for "controlled blasting " in drivage of
smaller cross-sectional area to brake the rock along the
cleavage planes.
1. Making of blast hole: It should be made as accurately as
possible, particularly the line holes. This can be effected by
template, or marking use of spray paint as convenient. A
very efficient procedure of pointing holes on the working
face with a light projector with an optical attachment
consisting of metallic casing, lenses and a frame that
receives a metallic plate carrying the location of the blast
holes. Each hole is represented on the plate as an orifice
1mm in dia. The projector is placed at a distance from the
working face equal to 1.5-3 times the height of the working.
Source of the light is a lamp of 1000W. The apparatus is
located using two marks. Spotted on the face is an advance
light spot projected through the plate on the face
correspond to the holes to be drilled.
2. Charging and shooting of blast holes: To reduce
the charging time it is possible to employ composite
explosive charges consisting of several cartridges
placed whether in paper shell or PVC pipes. The use
of composite charge, which is 5-10 times the carting
length, shortens the charging time by 50-60%.
No. of Holes - 8
Charge /
Holes - 300 g
seam