Ici Australia Limited

Orica Australia Pty Ltd

David E Yates

David J Curtin

David Stow

Helen O'Hara

Stuart W Dack

A method of preparing a gassed water-in-oil emulsion explosives composition from a gasser solution of an inorganic nitrate, an ammonium species and an optional accelerator which is added to an emulsion explosive composition, reacts and forms gas bubbles is disclosed. The emulsion explosive composition is composed of a discontinuous aqueous phase, a continuous water immiscible organic phase, and an emulsifier. The reaction between the gasser solution and the emulsion explosive composition is such that the emulsifier does not undergo chemical attack.

Gasser composition and method of gassing

An emulsion explosive comprising substantially an immiscible discontinuous oxidizer-phase dispersed throughout a continuous fuel phase with a modifier comprising hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties wherein the hydrophilic moiety comprises a carboxylic acid group or a group capable of hydrolyzing to a carboxylic acid, the lipophilic moiety is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, and wherein the emulsion composition pH is above 4.5.

Emulsion explosive composition

Gas bubble-sensitized explosive compositions

A gas bubble sensitized water-in-oil emulsion explosive composition comprising a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising at least one oxygen-releasing salt, a continuous water-immiscible organic phase, a discontinuous gaseous phase, a water-in-oil emulsifying agent and at least one agent capable of facilitating the production of gas bubbles in the presence of said water-immiscible organic phase.

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East Brunswick, Australia

David E Yates