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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Design criteria for sheathed permissible explosive charge for open shooting in flammable atmospheres. Report of investigations/1982

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6287511
The Bureau of Mines conducted research to evaluate the optimum design for a rock-breaking explosive charge that could be fired unconfined in a gassy or dusty coal mine without the danger of igniting the flammable atmosphere. Charges of various shapes, with and without cavities, were tested in a gallery using 3-by 3- by 1-ft concrete blocks as simulated boulders. For these tests the optimum charge, in terms of cost, weight, and convenience in handling, consisted of a flat 1-1/2-lb charge of permissible explosive seven-eighths of an inch thick and 7 in. in diameter encased in a 1/2-in thick layer of fine salt (NaCl). This work demonstrated that it should be possible to produce an inexpensive explosive rock-breaker charge that would be safe to use in underground coal mines.
Research Organization:
Bureau of Mines, Pittsburgh, PA (USA). Pittsburgh Research Center
OSTI ID:
6287511
Report Number(s):
PB-83-148023
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English