Patent GB-775311-A (GB)
Title: Explosive composition and method of producing the same
IPC: C06B43/00
Filed: 1954-08-17
Abstract: 775,311. Liquid oxygen explosive compositions and apparatus for making them ; blasting. HYSLOP, A. Aug. 17, 1954 [Aug. 17, 1953 ; Aug. 4, 1954], No. 23898/54. Classes 9 (2) and 68 (1). [Also in Group XIII] In the preparation of liquid oxygen explosives discrete solid particles or filaments of normally liquid or liquefied hydrocarbonaceous material are used as the combustible constituent. The hydrocarbons may be those derived from petroleum, coal tar, or shale oil, e.g. diesel fuels, fuel oils, lubricating oils, hydraulic oils, gasoline, kerosene, coal tar, or coal preparation plant spray oil, preferably having a viscosity 100-300 Saybolt. The liquid hydrocarbon is passed from tank 25 by pump 27 through pipe 28 to spray nozzle 29 to form a flat liquid spray, while liquid oxygen is forced from tank 14 by pressure of oxygen gas in cylinder 20 through pipe 16 to two nozzles 19 to form flat sprays directed into the hydrocarbon spray in mixing chamber 10. The shape of the hydrocarbon solid bodies, which is the same as the shape of the liquid hydrocarbon masses in the spray owing to the instantaneous freezing, depends on the point of the spray at which contact with the liquid oxygen takes place, thus, near the spray nozzle, which is preferred, elongated filaments of cotton-like appearance are obtained, while further from the nozzle spherical particles are formed. The hydrocarbon filaments or particles and the coalesced liquid oxygen spray are collected in container 12. In alternative methods, the hydrocarbon is sprayed into the conical bottom of a vertical mixing chamber having a central outlet at the bottom (Fig. 5 not shown), and liquid oxygen is poured at a controlled rate down the walls of the chamber to freeze the hydrocarbon on contact or liquid hydrocarbon is sprayed (Fig. 6, not shown), through a nozzle below the surface of liquid oxygen in a tank, or hydrocarbon is sprayed into a chamber cooled by evaporating liquid oxygen from open pans at the bottom and solid hydrocarbon collected on sheets placed over the pans. An alternative spray arrangement (Fig. 4, not shown), has liquid oxygen sprayed through perforations in a ring, while hydrocarbon is sprayed through a nozzle situated centrally in the ring. The frozen particles or filaments of hydrocarbon saturated with liquid oxygen produced by most of the above processes may be used at once as an explosive, and may be charged into containers or into the drill hole, at the blasting site. Alternatively, a dry solid may be obtained by allowing the refrigerent to evaporate, and may be maintained below the congelation temperature until required. In this latter case, other liquid, normally gaseous materials, e.g. liquid nitrogen, or air may be used as the refrigerant. The dry solid hydrocarbon particles or filaments are mixed with 1-10, preferably 2-5, parts of liquid oxygen to form the explosive, when required, at the blasting site or may be transported as a wet slush with excess liquid oxygen to allow for evaporation. The sensitivity of the explosive compositions may be reduced by employing an additional spray of liquid water to produce solid hydrocarbon particles containing admixed ice particles in proportion up to “. The hydrocarbon filaments should be less than 0.001" dia. and up to 2" long, while the particles should be less than 0.01" dia.