Chemical and physical factors that influence NOx production during blasting - exploratory study.
Authors
Sapko-M; Rowland-J; Mainiero-R; Zlochower-I
Source
Proc 28th Ann Conf Explos Blasting Tech, ISEE, Las Vegas, Nevada, February 10-13, 2002, 2002 Feb 2:317-329
Abstract
The National Institute, for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) carried out exploratory laboratory scale studies to identify factors that may contribute to nitrogen oxides (NOx) production associated with non-ideal detonation of blasting agents. Explosive admixture with drill cuttings, loss of fuel oil in ammonium nitrate and fuel oil (ANFO) from wicking, ammonium nitrate dissolution with water, degree of explosive confinement, ANFO density, and critical diameter were identified as contributing factors to increased NOx production under the laboratory test conditions. Experiments were also conducted to examine the effectiveness of various additives in reducing the NOx production from ANFO, emulsion, and ANFO/emulsion blends. Aluminum powder, coal dust, urea, and excess fuel oil in ANFO formulations were tested and were found to reduce both the nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) production. Fumes measurements were obtained in the NIOSH underground closed chamber from the detonation of 4.5-kg (10 lbs) charges in schedule 80 seamless steel pipe and from detonations in light weight galvanized steel stove pipe. Some exploratory tests were also conducted with 0.8-kg (1.8 lbs) charges of pulverized ANFO initiated with 0.08-kg (0.18 lbs), 50/50 (pentolite) boosters (in the NIOSH 12-ft (3,7-m) diameter steel sphere) to measure the degree of fumes production associated with post-detonation oxidation. Ammonium nitrate, emulsion and Pentolite boosters were also detonated in an oxygen-poor environment.
Keywords
Physical-properties; Chemical-properties; Nitrogen-oxides; Nitrogen-compounds; Oxides; Fuels; Aluminum-compounds; Coal-dust; Dust-particles; Dusts; Nitrogen-dioxides; Fumes; Oxidation; Nitrates; Explosive-hazards; Explosives
Contact
NIOSH, Pittsburgh Research Laboratory, P. O. Box 18070, Pittsburgh, PA 15236
CAS No.
10102-43-9; 10102-44-0; 7429-90-5; 6484-52-2
Document Type
Abstract; Conference/Symposia Proceedings
Priority Area
Research Tools and Approaches: Control Technology and Personal Protective Equipment
Source Name
Proceedings of the Twenty-Eighth Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique
