Novel Sensitizing Agent Formulation for Bulk Emulsion Explosives with Improved Energetic Parameters

Bulk emulsion explosives, although they are very convenient and safe to use, also have disadvantages, with the main one being the relatively low power in relation to cartridged emulsion explosives or classic nitroesters (e.g., dynamites). Therefore, materials of this type currently have only limited use. In addition, these materials are characterized by the variability of blasting parameters over time from loading into the blasthole, which is closely dependent on the utilised mining method of the mine, which makes it difficult to precisely control the fragmentation. The industry is trying to respond to the demand for bulk emulsion explosives with increased energy and improved parameter stability, but so far it has not been possible to do so in a safe and effective way. Methods of improving blasting parameters mainly rely on additives to oxidant solutions during production, which creates additional risks at the production stage, as it involves handling hot and concentrated ammonium nitrate solutions, for which there are known cases of uncontrolled decomposition of such solutions, even leading to an explosion. This paper presents a method of improving the thermodynamic parameters and the stability of the sensitization reaction without the need for changes in the oxidant solution.