00ba24.pdf

SURPLUS MILITARY PROPELLANTS AS fNGREDIENTS IN COMMERCIAL EXPLOSIVES

Kevin Tallent and Gary EckUniversal Tech Corporation

Rivet-ton, Kansas, USA

ABSTRACT:The use of military-type energetic materials in commercial explosive products is not a

new concept. In the United States, the techniques for utilizing significant quantities of surplusmilitary explosive materials by commercial explosive manufacturers dates back to the 1950s.At times, explosive companies have found surplus military high explosives and propellantmaterials to be suitable ingredients for their commercial explosive products. The availability ofthese military-type energetic materials has varied over the past 50 years, as a function of themilitarys strategic defense needs and the advances in modern weapon technology. For themost part, the commercial explosives industry has been able to implement methods for safelyincorporating military-type high explosives and propellant materials, whenever these surplusmaterials become available. During the past 5-6 year period, a large amount of military-typeenergetic materials have once again become available for recycling into commercialexplosives. This situation can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the politicalchanges in Europe, the development of more sophisticated weapons systems, and theincreased EPA pressures on the U.S. Department of Defense for disposing of surplusenergetic materials. As in the past, U.S. commercial explosive manufacturers have madeefforts to recycle these surplus materials into their explosive products.

This paper describes some of the commercial explosive products that are currently onthe U.S. market, which contain rocket and gun propellants as energetic ingredients. SomeU.S. explosive companies, such as DYNO NOBEL, ORICA and Slurry Explosive Corporation,have been able to recycle significant quantities of surplus smokeless powder and compositepropellants as energetic ingredients into their commercial Blasting Agents. The successesenjoyed by these companies have once again shown recycling into commercial explosiveproducts to be an economically and environmentally sound method for disposing of surplusmilitary-type energetic materials.

BACKGROUND:The subject of this paper dates back to the fate 7950s and early 1960s. The main role

of surplus energetic propellants was to provide detonation sensitivity to watergel slurry blastingagents that were being developed during this time period. Around 1955, ANFO was developedand immediately began to replace dynamite as the explosive of choice for most commercialblasting applications. Its ease of manufacture, relatively low cost, handling safety features andgood explosive performance properties (energy, VOD, etc.) allowed its acceptance in themarketplace to be an overnight success. However, because of ANFOs lack of waterresistance and relatively low bulk density, it was not well suited for usage in wet blastingconditions and extremely hard rock applications. Recognizing these shortcomings, thecommercial explosive companies of the day developed a number of blasting agent explosives,which came to be known as watergel slurries. These explosive products exhibited theproperties of water resistance, densities in the 1.20-I .30 g/cc range and detonation velocitiesin the 4.5 to 5.5 km/set range. Although many of these watergel slurry explosive products had

Copyright 2003 International Society of Explosives Engineers2000 BAI - SURPLUS MILITARY PROPELLANTS AS INGREDIENTS IN COMMERCIAL EXPLOSIVES 1 of 22

energies per unit weight (weight strength), that were significantly lower than that of ANFO, theirhigher densities allowed them to have higher energies per unit volume (bulk strength) than thatof ANFO. A higher bulk strength allowed for more explosive energy to be loaded into aborehole, which produced better fragmentation of the medium being blasted. Furthermore, thewatergel slurrys water resistance and density greater than 1 .OO g/cc allowed the explosive tobe loaded into boreholes containing significant amounts of standing water. Because thesewatergel slurries contained water as a homogenizing agent, it was usually necessary to addsome type of sensitizing ingredient to make the explosive detonable. Explosive manufacturescommonly found such materials present in military stockpiles of surplus molecular explosivesand smokeless powder propellants that existed during this period.

For the most part, the early smokeless powder sensitized watergel slurries wererelatively insensitive blasting agents, which were not readily detonated by means of a simplecommercial blasting cap or detonating cord. They required a high detonation pressurebooster, usually containing a molecular explosive such as cast pentolite or Composition B, inan appreciable mass for reliable detonation. These propellant based blasting agents could beused in either bulk form or as a packaged explosive. Both types of explosive products wereusually produced in a fixed plant, using suitable mixing and pumping equipment for handling aslurry with a fluid rheology similar to that of oatmeal or fresh concrete. The bulk slurries werepumped directly into the tank of a pump truck, which was then driven to the mine or quarry,where the explosive was pumped through a length of loading hose into the already drilledboreholes, and later detonated. As a packaged explosive, the slurry was pumped into plasticcartridges of varying diameters and weights, as determined by the requirements of its intendedfield application. The loaded cartridges were either placed into boxes or loaded directly onto atruck for transport to the end user.

From the beginning, explosive engineers clearly understood the advantages of usingsurplus smokeless powder propellants as inexpensive sensitizers and energetic ingredients intheir watergel slurry blasting agents. When subjected to the high pressures generated in theexplosives detonation front or primary reaction zone, the burning rate of the propellantincreased to the point that it ceased to burn as a propellant, and began to detonate as anexplosive. Furthermore, a typical watergel slurry explosive contained water to provide aflowable medium for holding all the explosives ingredients together in intimate contact allowingthem to readily react in the detonation reaction. This aqueous system allowed for the use ofsuch water soluble inorganic oxidizer salts as ammonium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammoniumperchlorate and sodium perchlorate, just to mention a few. These oxygen rich salts readilyprovided oxygen for the combustion of the fuel rich propellants. The entire aqueous systemwas held together in a fluid viscous gel, created by the addition of a suitable hydrophilic colloid,such as starch or guar gum. The resultant gel rheology could be made fluid enough to beflowable and pumpable, while possessing enough viscosity to adequately suspend anyundissolved oxidizer salts, insoluble powdered organic or metallic fuels, and the smokelesspowder particles. Since the propellant was not soluble in the slurrys aqueous system, itretained its explosive properties. Depending upon the propellants particle size, it was alsoable to react with the slurrys oxidizer salt to produce increased explosive energy. Thepresence of water also served to significantly reduce the impact, friction and electrostaticsensitivities of the smokeless powder particles encompassed by the watergel slurry matrix.This was an important feature for achieving the explosive engineers primary goal of producinga safe explosive product.


EXPLOSIVE PATENTS:If one examines some of the U.S. patents granted to the commercial explosive

companies during the 1960s, there are a number of listings where smokeless powderpropellants were used as sensitizing ingredients in commercial explosive formulations. Alisting of some of these U.S. patents is given at the end of this text. Although few of thesecited early patents actually claim the use of smokeless powder in a commercial explosiveformulation, all the patents do describe the use of smokeless powder propellants as a possiblesensitizer ingredient in a watergel slurry explosive matrix. For the most part, these slurriescontained either single base or double base smokeless powder propellants, although triplebase propellants were usually mentioned. Because of the mixing and pumping requirementsof the watergel slurry, the small grain 20 mm type smokeless powders were the most popularand easiest to use. However, some companies, Hercules Powder Company for example,installed attrition mills or grinders to downsize the larger propellant grains, that had come out oflarger caliber weapons systems, to make them more suitable for use in a watergel slurryexplosive product. It was found that smaller propellant grains or particles usually produced asignificantly more sensitive blasting agent explosive, with a smaller critical diameter.Therefore, by varying the propellants type, particle size and use level, an explosive engineerwas able to design and produce a particular bulk or packaged blasting agent with the requireddetonation characteristics (sensitivity, energy, detonation velocity, etc.), suitable for a particularblasting application.

To give an idea of how smokeless powder propellants were used as sensitizingingredients in the earlier watergel slurry blasting agents, several explosive formulations weretaken from the examples listed in some of the cited U.S. patents, identified in the referencesection of this paper. These explosive formulations are described in the following sections:

1. American Cyanamid Company Patent 3,097,120 (reference listing #I):This patent gives the following formulation for a smokeless powder sensitized watergel

slurry explosive:

The smokeless powder used in this slurry was described as being of the 20 mm type, with aformulation of 85% nitrocellulose, 10% dinitrocellulose, and 5% plasticizers and stabilizers.The patent contained detonation test data that clearly showed the slurry explosives sensitivityto increase as the particle size of the smokeless powder was reduced. The watergel slurryexplosive was found to have a critical diameter of 50 mm when the smokeless powder grainsize was in the -30/+40 mesh sieve size, and 25 mm when the grain size was -60/+80 mesh.


2. IRECO Patent 3,331,717 (reference listing #12):This patent describes the use of either single, double or triple base smokeless powders

in watergel slurry explosive formulations. The following formulation was presented as anexample of a large diameter packaged explosive product:

Ingredients W_eisrhtSmokeless Powder 23.9Ammonium Nitrate 55.8

Water 19.1Ethylene Glycol 0.8

Guar Gum Thickener 0.4

The smokeless powder used in this slurry was described as having a particle size of l/32 inch(0.8 mm) by 3/32 inch (2.4 mm). The slurry was found to have a critical diameter of 125 mm ata 1.35 gmlcc density.

3. Hercules Powder Company Patent 3.235.423 (reference listing #4):This patent lists seven different watergel slurry explosive formulations, containing 25

30% levels of single base smokeless powder as a sensitizer. The smokeless powder grainswere described as being either 0.04 inch (1 mm) diameter by 0.1 inch (2.5 mm) long cylindricalrods with a single perforation (1 .I inch single base powder), 0.12 inch (3 mm) diameter by 0.1inch (2.5 mm) long cylinders with seven perforations (40 mm single base powder), or 0.08 inch(2 mm) diameter by 0.3 inch (7.5 mm) long cylindrical rods with a single perforation (20 mmsingle base powder). The watergel slurry formulations contained from 15% to 21% water, dualoxidizer salts of ammonium and sodium nitrate, and from I .5% to 18% ethylene glycol as acold temperature antifreeze. Most of the slurry formulations contained from 14% to 18%granular aluminum as an additional energetic fuel and sensitizer. Ail the smokeless powderblasting agent slurry examples proved to be sensitive enough to detonate in a 75 mm diameterconfined charge, with VODs in the 4.8 to 5.5 km/second range.

4. Hercules Incorporated Patent 3,523,048 (reference listing #I 5):This patent lists formulations for examples of bulk or pumpable watergel slurry blasting

agents, sensitized with smokeless powder. The following slurry formulation was used as anexample of a suitable bulk watergel slurry explosive:

mWater

Smokeless PowderAmmonium Nitrate

Weight Percent16.5032.5038.70

.Sodium Nitrate I 10.00 IEthylene Glycol

Guar Gum Thickener1.500.70

Fumaric Acid 0.05Pine Oil 0.05

The smokeless powder used in this bulk watergel slurry formulation was described as having arelatively small particle size, produced by grinding. The resultant watergel slurry had *a


viscosity and rheology such that it could be readily pumped with a suitable progressive cavitypump.

CURRENT SMOKELESS POWDER USE:As previously mentioned, changes in U.S. environmental regulations, coupled with an

increase in the militarys munitions demil requirements in the 1990s, have again presented theU.S. commercial explosive companies with a surplus of high explosives and smokelesspowder propellants, as relatively low cost ingredients for use in their explosive products.Because of changes in the testing requirements for the hazard classification of Class Iexplosive products by the U.S. Department of Transportation for shipping purposes, essentiallyall of todays smokeless powder sensitized blasting agents are packaged explosive products,and not bulk explosive products.

In order to legally transport a bulk explosive over the road in the United States, it isnecessary for the explosive to be assigned a hazard classification of 1.5. In order to beassigned this hazard classification, the explosive must be subjected to and pass the requiredtest procedures, as described in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport ofDangerous Goods Manual of Tests and Criteria. The explosive product must be thermallystable, not impact sensitive, not friction sensitive, and not detonator sensitive. Furthermore,the explosive product must not detonate in an open bonfire test or a deflagration-to-detonationtest (DDT). Once the explosive formulation has passed all these required U.N. tests, it can beclassified as a Class 1.5 Blasting Agent explosive product, and is approved for transport in anapproved package (as described in Chapter 49 of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations--49CFR). However, if the Class 1.5 Blasting Agent explosive is to be approved for bulktransport in the United States, it must also pass a special semi-confined bonfire test, whichwas developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This U.S. test is referred to as theLarge Scale Vented Cook-off Test (or Charlie Schultz test named after the person whodeveloped the test method). The test involves loading 100 pounds (45 kgs.) of the candidatebulk explosive into a 24 inch (610 mm) tall 12 inch (305 mm) diameter schedule 40 steel pipe.The steel pipe container is enclosed on the top and bottom with 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) thick steelplates. The steel vessel is vented on top with a 6 inch (150 mm) length of 3 inch (75 mm)diameter schedule 40 steel pipe, welded to the center of the top steel plate. The loaded steelvessel is placed on top of a three feet tall steel platform, and a suitable wood/fuel oil fire is builtunder the loaded pipe. The fire must contain enough combustible materials to provideadequate heating for up to 45 minutes. In order to pass this test and be approved for bulkshipment, the explosive cannot detonate during the test. Several explosive companies havemade attempts to get smokeless powder sensitized explosive formulations to pass the LargeScale Vented Cook-off Test, without much success. For this reason, most of the surplussmokeless powder propellants are currently being recycled into Class 1.5 packaged explosiveproducts. To UTeCs knowledge, there are no bulk explosive products containing propellantscurrently being marketed in the U.S.

CURRENT SMOKELESS POWDER BLASTING AGENT EXPLOSIVE PRODUCTS:In the current U.S. explosive market, there are several commercial explosive products,

which contain surplus smokeless powder propellants. These are all Class 1.5 packagedblasting agents, which are normally marketed in cartridge diameters of three inches and larger.The commercial explosive products are described in the following sections.


ORICA GIANITEmGIANITETM can be described as a glass bubble sensitized water-in-oil emulsion

packaged explosive, which contains about 35% single base smokeless powder propellant asan energetic ingredient. The emulsion based product usually contains whole propellant grains.These can consist of either cylindrical rods with a single perforation, or larger cylindrical grainswith seven perforations (3 to 6 mm diameter X 7 to 13 mm length). The product wasdeveloped by ICI Explosives and introduced into the U.S. market in the mid 1990s. Theexplosive properties and recommended uses for GIANITEm are detailed in the ORICApublished product data sheet, attached to the end of this paper. The product is marketed andsold as a packaged booster sensitive explosive, in cartridge diameters of 4 inches (100 mm)and larger.

DYNO NOBEL DYNOGELm HDDYNOGELTM HD can be described as a smokeless powder sensitized watergel slurry

packaged blasting agent. The actual development work on this explosive product has beendescribed in a paper presented by DYNO NOBEL and Olin personnel at the 2nd GlobalDemilitarization Symposium, held in Arlington, Virginia, in May, 1994. As described in thispaper, DYNOGELTM HD was originally developed to use Olins Pit Powder as a sensitizer inan ammonium nitrate/sodium nitrate based watergel slurry matrix. This Pit Powder wasdescribed as a water-wet granular double base by-product propellant, resulting as a wastefrom Olins ball powder sporting ammunition production. The paper presented the followingtypical formulation for the Pit Powder propellant.

In_cJredientSNitrocelluloseNitroglycerin

DibutylphthalateEthyl Centralite

DPA and derivativesDinitrotoluene

AshSand

The paper described DYNOGELTM HD as containing about 35% of this Pit Powder propellantas its primary sensitizer and fuel. The watergel explosive was described as having a 2.5 inch(64 mm) critical diameter, a minimum booster of 4.5 grams, a minimum temperature of -20C,a density of 1.4 g/cc, a detonation velocity of 5.3 km/set and a critical pressure of 160 psig.(1100 kPa). Underwater energy test data showed the DYNOGELTM HD to generate a ShockEnergy of 371 cal/gm and a Bubble Energy of 428 cal/gm, for a Total Energy of 799 cal/gm (ascompared to a Shock Energy of 332 callgm, a Bubble Energy of 548 cal/gm and a TotalEnergy of 880 cal/gm for standard ANFO in the same test). On a theoretical basis,DYNOGELm HD was described as having a Relative Weight Strength of 0.91 (ANFO = 1) anda Relative Bulk Strength of 1.41 (ANFO = 1).

The paper also contained a schematic of a production flow diagram for theDYNOGELTM HD explosive product. The watergel slurry was mixed in a ribbon blender,pumped into a holding bin to await packaging, and pumped into 75 mm diameter and largerflexible polywoven cartridges or shot bags.


Since its original development, DYNO NOBEL has expanded the types of smokelesspowder propellants that are used to produce DYNOGELTM HD. For the most part, they arecurrently using whole grain surplus and demilled single and double base propellants. Thesecan vary from ball powders to one or seven perforation propellant grains. Attached to the endof this text is a copy of DYNO NOBELs published Technical Information sheet for theDYNOGELTM HO product. As can be seen, DYNO NOBEL markets this booster sensitiveblasting agent in cartridge diameters of 4 inches (100 mm) and larger. The explosive ispromoted as a high density, high velocity, high shock energy, deadpress resistant blastingagent, suitable for use in extreme blasting conditions.

Slurry Explosive Corporation 600 SLX-20A600 SLX-ZOA can be described as a watergel slurry packaged blasting agent, which

contains about 25% single base smokeless powder propellant as an energetic ingredient. Thisammonium nitrate and hexamine nitrate based watergel slurry contains whole propellantgrains. These cylindrical grains usually contain seven perforations and have an averageparticle size of 7 to 12 mm diameter X 12 to 26 mm length. 600 SLX-20A was originallydeveloped by Universal Tech Corporation (UTeC), and is marketed by Slurry ExplosiveCorporation (SEC). 600 SLX-20A is produced in a conical mixer as a flowable oatmeal-likeslurry, which is pumped into polywoven shotbag type packages. Since 600 SLX-20A is arelatively new product (production began in early 2000) there was not a technical data sheetavailable for this product when this paper was written. This product has a calculated WeightStrength of 795 cal/gm, a density of 1.25 g/cc and an unconfined VOD in the 4.5 to 5.2 km/setrange. The product is marketed and sold as a packaged booster sensitive explosive, incartridge diameters of 4 inches (100 mm) and larger.

Slurry Explosive Cornoration 600 SLX-206600 SLX-20B is the same type of watergel slurry blasting agent as 600 SLX-2OA, except

that 600 SLX-20B contains a 25% level of double base smokeless powder propellant, as anenergetic ingredient. The ammonium nitrate and hexamine nitrate based watergel slurrycontains whole propellant grains. These cylindrical grains usually contain seven perforationsand have an average particle size of 7 to 12 mm diameter X 12 to 26 mm length. 600 SLX-20B was originally developed by UTeC, and is marketed by SEC. 600 SLX-20B is produced ina conical mixer as a flowable oatmeal-like slurry, which is pumped into polywoven shotbagtype packages. As is the case with the 600 SLX-20A product, 600 SLX-20B has just recentlybeen introduced into the market place by SEC, and no technical data sheet was availablewhen this paper was written. 600 SLX-20B has a calculated Weight Strength of 827 cal/gm, adensity of 1.25 g/cc and an unconfined VOD in the 4.5 to 5.2 km/set range. The product ismarketed and sold as a packaged booster sensitive explosive, in cartridge diameters of 4inches (100 mm) and larger.

Slurry Explosive Corporation Slur-ran 430Slurran 430 can be described as a smokeless powder sensitized watergel slurry

packaged blasting agent. The Slurran 430 product differs from the previously mentionedpackaged propellant based explosives, in that it contains a significantly higher percentage ofsmokeless powder propellant. The Slurran 430 product contains about 60% whole grain triplebase smokeless powder propellant. The triple base propellant grains normally have acylindrical shape, and usually contain 7 perforations. The propellant grains can vary indiameter from 7 mm to 12 mm and in length from 12 mm to 26 mm. -


The Slurran 430 product was developed for Slurry Explosive Corporation (SEC) byUniversal Tech Corporation (UTeC) personnel. The actual development of this product hasbeen described in a paper presented by UTeC personnel at the 6th Global DemilitarizationSymposium, held in Coeur d Alene, Idaho, in May of 1998. As described in this paper, it wasfound that relatively large grain smokeless powder propellants could be made to readilydetonate in their original grain configurations, when surrounded by a high density liquidmedium. During the development work, it was determined that the higher the density of thisliquid medium, the easier it was to make the propellant detonate and the smaller the resultantexplosives critical diameter. The following table lists some of the detonation data generatedwith 8 mm diameter X 16 mm long single base (M6 formulation) and triple base (M30formulation) 7 perforation grains:

Note: The gelled salt solution consisted of an aqueous solution of ammonium nitrate, sodiuma and calcium nitrate, gelled with guar gum, which had a density of 1.5 g/cc. All chargeswere primed with a 0.45 kg cast pentolite booster and detonated at ZOOC. This same dataappears graphically in Chart I, attached to the end of this report.

As can be seen from the above test data, both types of smokeless powder propellantproduced a fairly sensitive explosive product, with a detonation velocity in the 5.8 to 6.8 km/setrange, in a 75 mm diameter unconfined charge, when surrounded with the high densityaqueous salt solution. In addition to the Slurran 430 product, SEC has started production of aSlurran 406 product, which is made with single base whole grain smokeless powder propellant.

The explosive energies of the Slurran 406 and Slurran 430 products were measuredusing the underwater energy test. These energy data are expressed in the following table, onboth a unit weight basis and a unit volume basis. For comparative purposes, ANFO wasincluded as a standard explosive in these tests. The Underwater Energy data appearsgraphically in Charts 2 and 3, attached to the end of this report.


ExplosiyANFOANFO

Density Shock0.90 gmlcc 360 cal/gm0.90 omm/cc 324 Cal/cc

Bubble520 callgm468 Cal/cc

Total880 callgm792 Cal/cc

Slurran 406 1.45 gmlcc 454 cal/gm 436 cal/gm 890 callgmSlurran 406 1.45 gm/cc 658 Cal/cc 632 Cal/cc 1290 Cal/cc

I

Slurran 430 1.50 gmlcc 482 Cal/g m 409 cal/gm 891 cal/gmSlurran 430 1.50 am/cc 732 Cal/cc 614 cal/cc 1346 Cal/cc

As would be expected, the triple base propellant slurry produced a higher Shock Energycomponent, while the single base propellant produced a higher Bubble Energy component.On a unit weight basis, both propellant slurries produced a significantly higher Shock Energycomponent than ANFO, while producing a lower Bubble Energy component. Overall, on a unitweight basis, both propellant slurries produced about the same Total Energy as that of ANFO.However, with the higher densities of the propellant slurries, their bulk energies weresignificantly higher than those of ANFO.

Because of the high percentage of smokeless powder propellant in the Slurran 406/430products, they cannot be produced using the traditional mixing and pumping equipment for atypical watergel slurry explosive. As described in the UTeC paper, the production process forthe Slurran 406/430 products is quite simple. It involves first filling a polywoven shotbag withthe required volume or weight of propellant grains. Then, a mixture of a delayed gellingsolution and the oxidizer salt solution is poured over the column of propellant until all the grainsare submerged. Then the cartridge is clipped shut and loaded into a box or directly onto atruck for transport. The gelling agents eventually thicken the products liquid phase to theextent that it resembles gelatin. Because of the high percentage of propellant grains in thefinal explosive product, the cartridges are rigid and do not slump well in the borehole. Also,because of the relative insensitivity of the propellant sensitized watergel slurry explosive, theproduct requires good loading practices, such as intimate bag-to-bag coupling and primer-to-bag coupling in the borehole, as well as the use of a high detonation pressure cast booster, toachieve consistent performance.

Attached to this report is a copy of SECs technical data sheet, which describes the useadvantages and properties of the Slurran 430 product. As can be seen, SEC markets theClass 1.5 blasting agent in cartridge diameters of 75 mm and larger. Because the Slurran 430product contains smokeless powder as its only sensitizer, it is promoted as being adeadpress resistant explosive.

CURRENT ROCKET PROPELLANT BLASTING AGENT EXPLOSIVE PRODUCTS:

Slurry Explosive Corporation 600 SLX-20600 SLX-20 is a watergel slurry packaged blasting agent, which contains a 20% level of

solid composite rocket propellant as an energetic ingredient. The composite propellant isdispersed throughout an ammonium nitrate/hexamine nitrate based watergel slurry matrix asirregular shaped pieces, with an average cross section in the 6-19 mm range. 600 SLX-20was developed by UTeC as part of a joint research project with United Technologies, ChemicalSystems Division (CSD), in the early 1990s. The goal of this project was to develop a suitablemethod for recycling CSDs surplus propellant materials, generated during their production of


solid rocket motors for the Department of Defense. These composite propellants are classifiedas Class 1.3 materials and typically contain ammonium perchlorate as the main oxidizer,atomized aluminum as a high energy fuel and various burn rate modifiers. These ingredientsare held together by a rubber binder, which acts as a fuel in the propellant composition, andprovides the propellant with a hard rubber texture. These solid composite rocket propellantswere designed to be used in rocket systems such as Titan and Minuteman missiles. They arealso used in the two solid booster motors mounted on the Space Shuttle.

The production process for the 600 SLX-20 product can be divided into two parts, thedownsizing of the rubber-like composite propellant, and its blending into the watergel slurryexplosive matrix. In the downsizing process, the propellant blocks are remotely fed into a diskshredder, which is flooded with the aqueous liquid phase portion of the final slurry explosive.The wet, shredded propellant is continuously drawn away from the shredder and collected foraddition to the slurrys conical mixer. The downsized propellant is then blended into thewatergel slurry explosive matrix. The manufacture of this product depends upon theavailability of suitable surplus composite propellants, which are generated as productionexcess or during the de-milling of decommissioned rocket motor systems. At the time thispaper was written, this particular product was not being produced, due to the lack of a steadyflow of suitable composite propellants. The 600 SLX-20 explosive product has a calculatedWeight Strength of 972 cal/gm, a density of 1.22 g/cc and a VOD in the 4.3 to 4.9 km/setrange. The product is marketed and sold by SEC as a packaged booster sensitive explosive, incartridge diameters of 4 inches (100 mm) and larger.

CONCLUSIONS:The recycling of surplus conventional ammunition propellants and composite rocket

propellants as ingredients into commercial explosives has in the past, and still continues today,to offer a viable method for their use. These reuse techniques not only allow for the beneficialuse of the surplus energetic materials as an effective ingredient in commercial explosiveproducts, but they also solve many environmental and economic problems, associated withtheir potential destruction as a hazardous waste. In addition, it allows the energy generationpotential of these materials, which was originally engineered into their design, to be a benefit tomining and quarrying industries.


Bonner, C.D., Cranney, D.H., Funk, A.G., Drummond, J.A., Commercial Blasting AgentsUsing Surplus Propellants Proceedings 2nd Global Demilitarization Symposium, Meeting#M72, pp. 265280, May 1994.

Eck, G.R., Tallent, K.D., Common Test Methods Used To Measure Properties Of CommercialExplosives, Proceedings of B.A.I. Eighth High Tech Seminar, pp 435459. July 1998.

Machacek, O., Eck, G.R., Tallent, K.D., Development of New High Energy Blasting ProductsUsing Demilitarized & Excess Propellant Grains from Conventional Ammunition RoundsProceedings of 6th Global Demilitarization Symposium & Exhibition, May 1998..

United Nations, Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods Manual of Testsand Criteria--Second Revised Edition, 1995.

ORICA Technical Data Sheet for GIANITE?

DYNO NOBEL, Inc., Technical Information Sheet (P-13-10-07-96) for DYNOGELTM HD.

Slurry Explosive Corp., Technical Information Sheet for Slurran 430.

Slurry Explosive Corp., Technical Information Sheet for 600 SLX-20.

United States Patents:

1. Hoffman, J.A., Bowkley, H.L., American Cyanamid Company, No. 3,097,120, July 9, 1963,Gelled Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Containing Polyacrylamide And An InorganicCrosslinking Agent.

2. Bowkley, H.L., Merryweather, J.P., American Cyanamid Company, No. 3,097,121, July 9,1963, Powdered Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Containing Polyacrylamide And AnInorganic Crosslinking Agent.

3. Ursenbach, W.O., Udy, L.L., IRECO, Inc., No. 3,113,059, Dec. 3, 1993, InhibitedAluminum-Water Composition And Method.

4. Fergusion, J.D., Hercules Powder Company, No. 3,235,423, Feb. 15,1966, StabilizedAqueous Slurry Blasting Agent And Process.

5. Ferguson, J.D., Hopler, R.B., Hercules Incorporated, No. 3,288,658, Nov. 29, 1966,Aerated Explosive Compositions.

6. Swisstack, P.L., Hercules Incorporated, No. 3,288,611, Nov. 29, 1966, Aerated AqueousExplosive Composition With Surfactant.


7. Lyerly, W.M., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, No. 3,355,336, Nov. 28, 1997,Thickened Water-Bearing Inorganic Oxidizer Salt Explosive Containing CrosslinkedGalactomannan And Polyacrylamide.

8. Chrisp, J.D., E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, No. 3,297,502, January IO, 1967,Explosive Composition Containing Coated Metallic Fuel.

9. Cook, M.A., Pack, D.H., Gardner, J.N., IRECO, Inc., No. 3,331,717, July 18, 1967,Inorganic Oxidizer Blasting Slurry Containing Smokeless Powder And Aluminum.

lO.Cook, M.A., Clay, R.B., No. 3,371,606, March 5, 1968, Explosive Booster For RelativelyInsensitive Explosives.

11. Cook, M.A., IRECO, Inc., No. 3,379,587, April 23, 1968, Inorganic Oxidizer Salt BlastingSlurry Composition Containing Formamide.

12Cook, M.A., IRECO, Inc., No. 3,382,117, May 7, 1968, Thickened Aqueous ExplosiveComposition Containing Entrapped Gas.

13.Albert, A.A., Hercules Incorporated, No. 3,390,031, June 25, 1968, Gelled Aqueous SlurryExplosive Composition Containing An Inorganic Nitrate.

14. Jessop, H.A., Udy, L.L., IRECO, Inc., No. 3,485,686, Dec. 23, 1969, Aqueous ExplosiveSlurry Containing Oxidizer-Reducer Crosslinking Agent.

15.Hopler, R.B., Hercules Incorporated, No. 3,523,048, August 4, 1970, Bulk Delivery ofCrosslinkable Aqueous Slurry Explosive With Crosslinking Agent In A Separate Feed.

16. Machacek, O., Eck, G.R., Gilion, J.B., No. 5,608,184, March 4, 1997, Alternative Use OfMilitary Propellants As Novel Blasting Agents.


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GIANITEBooster Sensitive ,Emulsion Explosive

uses: ? - construction proactg- umter excavations- surface cod operatms- open pit mines and quawks

-.f=eatuneslrlBenetfits: - superior fmgmntaticm under severe mnditmna- develops hgh detonation pressure for MtiaC crack

dmdopment

C

plwates taqje gas vok#m0 for emlht hem0 anddisplacement

- superict pwbrmance under high static pressure and dynamic fwces- good boreholes sealing characteristics, 99% borehote coupthg when

cut and drop kmbd

LoadiJlg:1 -~


Packaging

Common Sixi;rs:Dimbr (iichm) Weight (bs)

4 204 112 255 3-o51/z 306 4u? 5Q

StomgelWandPng


II N F 0 R M A 7 I 0 N

DYNOGELfM HD

l

.DYNOtEL HO, is a water-resistant, high performance, ;packaged water gel blasting agent. Dynogel HD .produces super ior f ragmentat ion and h e a v e in even the lhardest formations. Available in 4 inch (100 mm) :diameter and tafger shot bags only. OYNOGEL HO tme& the requirements of ME fume Class 1. .

l

.

.

BENEFITSl

Excellent Water Resistance. Water resistant and lpliabie gels allow packages to be slit cut or removed 1during ioading for impmved explosive-to-rock coupling. lHigh f)ensity. Sinkfast and provides higher energy 1factors where concentrated loads are needed. .Resists Dead press*. Not desensitized by water hammer. Minimum energy toss when used with 1detonating cord downlines. lReduced Sensltfverness. Possibility of hole-to-hole 1propagation is minimized. (IHigh Shock Energy and Detonation Vetocity,Variable energy ieveis for increased shattering power.

:.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTON *Ensure continuous column loading, Be certain all :DWOGEL HD packages are in contact with either a +primer or each other to ensure propagation, .

l

DYNODyno Nobel


$r 22,000 fps (6705 mps)ENSITY! SINKS LIKE A ROCK!grams per cubic centimeter

ION PRESSURE!

tTROGLYCERINE HEADACHES

AND STORES AS 1.5D

I& Decks

&%rossings

@#kg I Trenching Jobs,:.: .$$arine Blasting

@$n-Loading medium velocity~@XIS of ANFO and Blends?.,,.

NG plimers are mtiritertded and should not be used

to initiate Siunm Lo30

ading practices arenecessity to insureand stick-to-primerpound cast primerevery 3 to 5 sticks

or every 10 to 15 feet.

430 is compatible withgrain / foot detonating

cord downfines,


@A/U 430&rdous Material Descriptions and Propertipping Name; EI!wh Masling, Ty* E

Division and Compatibility Group: lb Dr, UN0332$dian Explosives Act & Regulation: Class 2

&%&es identification Number: EX-m:

&,,

i,Compatibility: 25 grain lfaofmum Temperature Tested: -ru#, -4OC wiff,fDover26,oo1o~,~mps

3 x 12#3-l/2 x 20#t&3/4* x 2ta4* x25#4-7/g x 25#4-112 x 28#4-3/4 x 33a5 x 3s5-l/z? x 40#6 x 43#6-lf2 x 4%7 x fiU#8 x 5Q#9 x 50#

lox5W

7 6 mm x 5.4 kg89 m m x 9.1 kg95 m m x 9.5 kg

102 m m x 11.3 kg108mmxlt.3kg114 mmx 12.7 kg120 m m x 15.0 kg127 mmx 15.9 kg140 m m x 18.1 kg152 mm x 19.5 kg165 m m x 20.4 kg178 m m x 22.7 kg203 mm x 22.7 kg229 mm x22.7 kg254 mm x 22.7 kg

$mmGE &VfJ j$~FZY PRWYA HTMM#R:-I* a a----- ----

Due to this prodt&s classification. it n nust be stored in acco rdance withStafe and Federal reguletions regarding expfusive products. For futiher

storage and harwfiing information, refer fu the Nafionai Fire Frofa~fi#nAssxiations Su&etin M O. 49$ which can k obtained from &her the

M.F.P.A.. Batterymarch Park. Quincy. Massachusetts 02269, or ATF, orthe institute of Makers of Explosives.

~%t?sW&C t _ .


5700 N. Portland, Suite 301/ Oklahoma City, OK 73112 I Phone: (405) 947-0765 / Fax: (405) 947-0768

TECHNICAL DATA600 SLX-20

Slurry Explosive Corporations 600 XX-20 is a booster-sensitive explosive designedfor bottom-loading wet holes or dry holes when a high energy product is required toachieve satisfactory movement of the toe. 600 SIX20 is a blend of 600 SLX anddemil energetic materials. Lab tests have shown this formula will provide the samehigh levels of performance as standard 600 SLX at significantly lower costs-

Density: 1.17-I .22 gmkc

Velocity: 14,245 fps (6 @ 70F) 16,000 confined @ 40 F.

Absolute weight strength: 972 Cal/gram

Water resistance; Exceilent

Hazardous Material Description and Proper Shipping Name:Explosive, Blasting, Typing E

Hazard Division and Compatibility Group: 1 .SD

Packaging Group: II

600 SLX-20 should be primed with a dense, high velocity primer suchas a 1 pound cast primer or its equivalent.


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