Patent ID: 7972454
Filing Date: 2011-07-05
Classification: C06B

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a gassed emulsion explosive composition comprising: (a) forming a gasser solution comprising a solution of an inorganic nitrite, an ammonium species and optionally an accelerator; (b) adding the gasser solution to an emulsion explosive composition having a discontinuous aqueous phase comprising inorganic oxygen releasing salts, a continuous water immiscible organic phase and a poly[alk(en)yl] succinic anhydride based emulsifier such that droplets of gasser composition are distributed throughout the emulsion explosive composition; and (c) allowing the inorganic nitrite and the ammonium species of the gasser solution to react and form gas which is distributed as bubbles throughout the emulsion to form the gassed emulsion explosive composition; wherein the gasser solution is formed during or immediately before addition of the gasser solution to the emulsion explosive composition by mixing the inorganic nitrite, ammonium species and optionally the accelerator, and wherein the reaction between the inorganic nitrite and the ammonium species occurs within droplets of the gasser solution such that there is substantially no chemical attack on the emulsifier.