U.S. patent application number 15/315648 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-08 for method for producing an anfo explosive using ammonium nitrate and residual oils and product thus produced.
This patent application is currently assigned to EXSA S.A.. The applicant listed for this patent is EXSA S.A.. Invention is credited to Ronald Alfredo Anazco Otero, Jose Antonio Huaman Vilcahuaman.
Application Number | 20170158577 15/315648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54938521 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170158577 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anazco Otero; Ronald Alfredo ;
et al. |
June 8, 2017 |
Method for Producing an ANFO Explosive Using Ammonium Nitrate and
Residual Oils and Product Thus Produced
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for producing ANFO on
the basis of filtration and purification of the residual oils of a
mine in a filter truck especially designed and developed for this
purpose, with the aim of completely replacing the diesel fuel 2
with said residual oils that have been previously treated in order
to mix same with ammonium nitrate, as well as the product resulting
from said method. The aim of this invention is to use the residual
oil produced in mines in large quantities, as the only combustible
agent in the production of ANFO, generating cost savings by
completely substituting diesel 2 and additionally eliminating the
existing risk inherent in the removal of the residual oil from the
mine and the negative impact that it can generate in the
environment if it is not used appropriately.
Inventors: |
Anazco Otero; Ronald Alfredo;
(Lima, PE) ; Huaman Vilcahuaman; Jose Antonio;
(Lima, PE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EXSA S.A. |
Lima |
|
PE |
|
|
Assignee: |
EXSA S.A.
Lima
PE
|
Family ID: |
54938521 |
Appl. No.: |
15/315648 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
June 25, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/PE2014/000009 |
371 Date: |
December 1, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C06B 31/00 20130101;
C06B 21/0091 20130101; C06B 21/0008 20130101; F42D 1/00 20130101;
C06B 31/285 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C06B 31/28 20060101
C06B031/28; C06B 21/00 20060101 C06B021/00 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. A method for producing ANFO on the basis of ammonium nitrate and
purified residual oil, comprising a double residual oil filtrate
with the following steps: The filter truck removing residual oil
from the collection center The product being introduced through a
discharge hose into the manholes or access holes of the truck where
the first 1 mm filtration is performed The residual oil thus
filtered being transported to the points at which explosive
producing trucks are located The filter truck pumping and driving
the residual oil through two 30-micron serial filters, in which the
second filtration is performed; then the residual oil circulates
through a gallon counter The already twice filtered residual oil
being ejected with a swing gun to the fuel-mixture tank of the
explosive mixing truck The explosive mixing truck integrating the
twice filtered residual oil into ammonium nitrate.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the filter truck in which the
steps of the method are carried out is formed by the following
components: Cistern tank in which the residual oil is stored Vent
valve by which the oxygen is introduced into the tank Manholes or
access holes located at the top of the truck, each with the
respective filters with 1 mm sieve for solid retention Mixer
Cleaning valves Suctioning and delivering-under-pressure pump of
the residual oil Suction valve Suction filter Hydraulic motor
Viewing-of-gallons-of-residual-oil-that-are-delivered-to-the-mixing-truck
comptometer
Dispensing-of-controlling-the-filling-of-the-mixing-truck-tank-with-resid-
ual-oil valve Chassis on which the components are transferred.
6. An ANFO-type explosive produced by the method of claim 4,
comprising residual oil instead of diesel 2 in the combustible
phase thereof having the following composition: TABLE-US-00002
Ammonium nitrate 92% 100% purified residual oil 8% ANFO 100%
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of explosives,
specifically to the production of ANFO using residual oils instead
of diesel 2. The present invention relates to a method for
producing an explosive (ANFO) using ammonium nitrate and residual
oils, as well as the product produced by means of this method.
PRIOR ART
[0002] ANFO is a high-order explosive that is very widely used in
the mining industry for blasting as it is very safe and
inexpensive, its components can be easily obtained, in addition to
the fact that the detonation of ANFO is ultrasonic and the blast is
very powerful in relation to the quantity that must be used.
[0003] It is widely used in blasting medium to soft rocky soils by
introducing powder in blast holes by means of compressed air or in
another form of presentation with an emulsion matrix to form heavy
ANFO.
[0004] The present invention essentially consists of a mixture of
ammonium nitrate and petroleum-derived fuel, the conventional
production method thereof producing ANFO by mixing specific
quantities of ammonium nitrate and fuel which vary according to the
length of the hydrocarbon chain of the fuel used. Percentages
generally range from 90% to 97% ammonium nitrate and from 3% to 10%
fuel, the most common being to prepare ANFO on the basis of a
mixture of 94% ammonium nitrate and 6% diesel 2. In that regard,
the Peruvian Technical Standard NTP 311.278 "Explosives and
blasting accessories. Ammonium nitrate for ANFO. Requirements"
defines ANFO as a "product formed by the mixture of ammonium
nitrate for ANFO and fuel. The nominal composition by weight
defined for ANFO is: 94% ammonium nitrate and 6% diesel fuel no.
2".
[0005] In some cases, in addition to ammonium nitrate, as part of
the combustible agent for producing ANFO, diesel fuel 2 is mixed
with reduced quantities of residual oil equivalent to 60% diesel 2
and 40% residual oil, reaching in some cases a maximum of 50%
diesel 2 and 50% residual oil. In other words, the prior art shows
that residual oils have been used in the production of ANFO but
always in a smaller proportion as an additional component in the
combustible agent along with diesel fuel 2.
[0006] There is an unfavorable technical opinion with respect to
the use of used, recycled or residual oil in the production of ANFO
because although it is widely known in the prior art that used oils
have also been utilized as fuel, they have the drawbacks of
reducing initiation and propagation sensitivity, detonation speed
and energy yield. Due to their high viscosities, they tend to
remain on the surface of the ammonium nitrate granules occupying
the macropores, so the complete or partial substitution of gas oil
(diesel 2 or the like) with used oils is currently not justified
from the economic viewpoint due to the drawbacks posed by these
products. In that regard, see
http://www.monografias.com/trabajos83/explosivos-tipos-y-propiedades/expl-
osivos-tipos-y-propiedades.shtml#ixzz2wbSuvi5l.
[0007] In the same sense, European Patent EP2069266 teaches that
although residual lubricating oil from vehicles used in the mine
can be used as part of a water-in-oil emulsion to produce ANFO,
these oils are refractory and difficult to be absorbed into
ammonium nitrate itself, so they must be diluted with diesel or
with another virgin oil. It adds that when the ANFO explosive
comprises, as is typically the case, 5-7% by mass of lubricating
oil with respect to ammonium nitrate, no more than 2-3% of the ANFO
explosive can be residual lubricating oil, the remaining 3-4% being
required to be virgin oil or diesel or any other component
(solvent) diluting it and allowing the absorption thereof into
ammonium nitrate which is the most important oxidizing component of
this explosive.
[0008] In some cases, the attempt has been made to dilute the used
oil in water, creating a water-in-oil emulsion to which emulsifiers
and surfactants must be added (EP2069266), but there is no prior
art which has completely eliminated the use of diesel 2 or a
similar hydrocarbon, being substituted only with duly filtered and
purified residual oil according to the method of the present
invention.
[0009] On the other hand, it can be easily seen that mines, as part
of their operations, produce a large quantity of gallons of used or
residual oil of different types and originating from different
sources, such as engine oil, lubricating oil, etc. This oil is
usually disposed of and requires certain management and handling
conditions in the mine collection, removal and transfer process in
order to avoid generating negative environmental impacts and to
make the process safer, generating unwanted high costs.
[0010] The foregoing thereby leads to the problem of eliminating
the existing risk inherent in the removal of large quantities of
highly contaminating recycled oil from the mine and the possibility
of taking advantage of and reusing the residual oil that will be
disposed of, instead of diesel 2, to produce ANFO, in contrast to
the teachings suggested in the prior art.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a method for producing ANFO
on the basis of residual oils instead of diesel 2 based on the
treatment of said residual oils by means of a prior double
filtration and purification process, as well as the product
resulting from said method.
[0012] The aim of this invention is to utilize the residual oil
produced in mines in large quantities as the only combustible agent
in the production of ANFO, generating cost savings by completely
substituting diesel 2 and additionally eliminating the existing
risk inherent in the removal of the residual oil from the mine and
the negative impact that it can generate in the environment if it
is not used appropriately.
[0013] The developed technology allows filtering 30,000 gallons of
recycled oil in a mobile unit especially designed for this purpose
located at the same mine which will be referred to as a filter
truck that will be in charge of purifying the residual oil obtained
from the collection center by means of a double filtration system,
to then supply it, instead of diesel 2, to mixing trucks for the
production of ANFO, so the environmental impact is minimized, the
residual oil is utilized, increased safety is generated since the
oil does not leak out of the mine and cost savings are achieved as
diesel 2 is no longer used.
[0014] In further detail, the method of the present invention
involves the implementation of the following consecutive steps:
[0015] The filter truck removing residual oil or recycled oil from
the collection center. [0016] The product being introduced through
a discharge hose into the manhole of the truck where the first 1 mm
filtration is performed. [0017] The residual oil being transported
to the points at which the explosive producing trucks are located.
[0018] The filter truck pumping and driving the residual oil so
that it goes through two 30-micron serial filters (second
filtration) and then through a gallon counter. [0019] The already
filtered residual oil being ejected with a swing gun to the
fuel-mixture tank of the explosive producing truck. [0020] The
explosive producing truck integrating the twice filtered residual
oil into ammonium nitrate to produce ANFO.
[0021] To fulfill this function, the filter truck especially
developed for this process is formed by the following components:
[0022] Cistern tank: used for storing residual oil. [0023] Vent
valve: used for introducing oxygen into the tank for the free flow
of the residual oil, pneumatically operated. [0024] Four manholes
or upper access holes used for pre-filtering the recycled oil in a
1 mm mesh for solid retention. [0025] Mixer: used for mixing and
circulating the recycled oil. [0026] Cleaning valves: used for
extracting sludge formed at the bottom of the cistern tank as a
result of the binding of particles that went through the first
filter. [0027] Pump: used for suctioning the residual oil and
delivering it under pressure to the mixing truck. [0028] Suction
valve: used for moving the residual oil out to the pump. [0029]
Suction filter: up to 0.5 mm used for cleaning the residual oil.
[0030] Hydraulic motor: allows providing rotational movement to the
residual oil pump. [0031] Comptometer: allows viewing the gallons
of residual oil that are being delivered to the mixing truck.
[0032] Dispensing valve: used for controlling the filling of the
mixing truck tank with residual oil. [0033] Chassis: vehicle used
for transferring the components for residual oil storage and
pumping.
[0034] The technical problem that is being considered is solved
based on the use of the method of treating and purifying residual
oils through a double filtration process which allows using same as
the only combustible component in the production of ANFO,
completely substituting diesel fuel 2.
[0035] This method of treating and purifying residual oils in turn
requires the intervention of a filter truck especially designed and
implemented for fulfilling the purposes of this method as it has
storage, loading, filtering (at two different levels), mixing,
pumping, cleaning, venting, suctioning, measuring and unloading
mechanisms. As mentioned, this novel recycling truck is in charge
of purifying residual oils through a double filtration scheme at
different times during the method and pumping these residual oils,
once they are suitable for said purpose, to the producing truck to
be mixed with ammonium nitrate.
[0036] Since the method is largely carried out in the recycling
truck, the present invention allows the implementation thereof in
the mine itself without having to transfer the residual oils,
mitigating environmental risks.
[0037] The product resulting from this method has the same features
and properties as conventional ANFO, showing the following
composition:
TABLE-US-00001 Ammonium nitrate 94% 100% residual oil 6% ANFO
100%
ADVANTAGES OF THIS TECHNOLOGY
[0038] This process completely replaces diesel 2 and allows
utilizing residual oils for producing ANFO. Furthermore, the
mobility advantage is achieved since unlike the static older
technology, this technology is more flexible and dynamic as it uses
a truck for oil filtration.
[0039] This technology furthermore allows eliminating the existing
risk inherent in the removal of the residual oil from the mine as a
result of the in situ implementation of a filter truck as an
essential element allowing the use of all the residual oil in the
production of ANFO for mine blasting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1 shows a flow diagram with the steps of the method and
the location in which each of them is performed.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a drawing with the detail of the steps of the
method showing the residual oil being supplied from the collection
center, introduced through the manholes of the filter truck in
which the first 1 mm filtration is started (a), the residual oil
filter truck then transports the residual oil to the points at
which the explosive producing trucks are located (b), whereas the
residual oil filter truck pumps the residual oil through two
30-micron serial filters to the fuel hopper of the explosive
producing truck (c) so that the explosive producing truck finally
integrates the residual oil into ammonium nitrate to form ANFO
(d).
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the step of loading from the
storage tanks to the filter truck.
[0043] FIG. 4 shows an elevational view of the step of loading from
the storage tanks to the filter truck.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the unloading from the filter
truck to the producing truck.
[0045] FIG. 6 shows an elevational view of the unloading from the
filter truck to the producing truck.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows the general overview.
[0047] FIG. 8 shows a side elevational view of the filter truck
with four manholes, each with a 1 mm filter (a), a mixer (b), a
hydraulic motor (c) a cleaning valve (d) and a suction valve
(e).
[0048] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the filter truck.
[0049] FIG. 10 shows a rear elevational view of the filter truck
with the pump (a), comptometer (b), suction valve (c), 30-micron
dual filter (d) and swing coupling (e).
* * * * *
References