Study and Development of the Components of Gas Generator Compositions Based on the Ammonium Nitrate to Improve Blasting Operations Safety
The article is devoted to the study and development of the components of gas generator compositions based on the ammonium nitrate to improve safety of blasting operations. This is primarily due to the low cost of ammonium nitrate, low sensitivity to mechanical and detonation effects and a significantly lower content of harmful compounds in the combustion products compared to the analogues. PA-4 aluminum powder was used as fuel, carbon black powder — as a gas-forming agent. The effect was studied concerning different amounts of aluminum powder on the combustion characteristics of a gas generator composition based on the ammonium nitrate. Calculated and experimental data showed that it is unreasonable to introduce more than 5 % of aluminum into the composition. According to the results of the conducted study, a gas generator composition based on the ammonium nitrate was developed to increase blasting operations efficiency and safety. Laboratory and polygon studies confirmed the efficiency and safety of using gas generator compositions at the destruction of stone. Destruction of the stone occurred without scattering of individual fragments, formation, and propagation of an air shock wave. Thus, the urgent task is to ensure blasting operations safety using gas generator compositions, which will allow to eliminate the formation of harmful, toxic gases and the high explosive effect.