Effect of Distributed Spherical Air-Gaps on Performance of Emulsion Explosive

The high density of emulsion explosives results in excessive consumption in weak-to-medium-strength rock mass. Reducing the explosive consumption is necessary for optimizing the overall blasting cost. The authors have developed a technique of reducing explosive consumption by using small spherical air-gaps. Laboratory experiments are conducted by measuring varying unconfined VOD for emulsion explosive cartridge induced with various percentages of spherical air-gaps. It is found that the VOD of emulsion explosives is falling from 4241 to 3654 m/s for cartridge with 0.20 voidages. The VOD is falling abruptly when the voidages are increased and resulting in uncertainty of detonation at 0.30 voidage. The findings of the study can assist the mine operators to judiciously reduce the consumption of explosives without compromising the explosive performance.