Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-07-30
Water-Blasting.

The value of water as an aid to blast
ing when used in connection with ex-
plosives is rapidly becoming recognized
in this country, as well as in the large
mines and quarries of Europe. Ordi-
nary blasting with gunpowder in coal
mining is done by boring hole in the
face of the coal about two inches in di-
ameter and four or five feetdeep. Into
this is inserted the powder cartridge,
together with the slow fuse, when the
hole has been well tamped, filled with
any dry refuse rammed in tight, then
fired by lighting the fuse. In this op-
Grafton (and we have described it thus
not to show any new ideas connected
with it, but for comparison) a very dam
gerous flame, especially in gaseous
pits, is created, and appalling results
often ensue; carbonic acid and sulphur
GUS acid gases are generated, very dam
gerous to miners and mining proper
ties.
When it is desired to blast with wa
ten together with gunpowder the pro-
cess is conducted by inserting into the
bore-hole powder cartridge with the
fuse attached as in the ordinary way;
next to the powder cartridge is insert
ed into the bore-holc a tube containing
water. These tubes must be as large
as the bore-hole will admit, and of any
length convenient to handle, the larger
the better; they may be made of any
cheap material convenient, cheap thin
tin-plate, or stout broken paper turned
around ON wooden roller, after being
well pasted together, the ends closed
with corks. The bore-hole is now
tamped in the ordinary manner, the
fuse lit, and the cartridge fired in the
usual manner.
As result of this process the follow
ing points of excellence, among many
others, may be briefly mentioned: The
powder in exploding bursts the tube
containing the water, and, careful esti-
mates show, with increased power or
explosive violence, as the rendering
force is extended through the water in
accordance with the well-known prin-
ciple of hydrostatics, practically DEM
onstrated years ago by Bramah, over
the enlarged interior area of the bore
hole, due to the space occupied by the
water-tube. A much larger quantity
of the material to be mined Oh quarried
is thereby brought down or loosened
with small quantity of the explosive
used. The heat given off by the burn
ing of the powder and surrounding
gases converts a large proportion Of
the water into steam, the elastic force
of which assists in the operation of
blasting; the steam and remaining wa
ter together extinguish the flame and
flash of the powder, and absorb and
neutralize the greater portion of the
gases and smoke resulting from the ex-
plosion.
1t will readily be seen that by this
process are met together economy,
power, and safety, the system being
simple and effective, and not attended
with anything inconsistent with the
well-known laws Of explosion. 1t is to
be hoped that, in the best interests of
humanity, our large and intelligent
body of miners and quarrymen will not
be slow to adopt an amelioration in the
present crude and dangerous process
of blasting, which will tend, and, in no
small measure, to render premature
explosions in mines thing of the past,
rather than one of almost daily occur
renee. Coal Trade Journal