Explosives Based on Hydrogen Peroxide With Improved Sleep Time

Abstract

The present invention provides an explosive composition comprising hydrogen peroxide, fuel and one or more density stabilisers. The present invention also provides methods for preparing the compositions and method of using the compositions.

1 . An explosive composition comprising:
 H 2 O 2 ;   fuel; and   one or more density stabilisers of about 0.01% to about 10% w/w.   
     
     
         2 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the H 2 O 2  is between about 2% to about 85% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more density stabilisers are in an amount of about 1% to about 5% w/w. 
     
     
         4 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more density stabilisers comprises a phosphonate having the structure X—(PO 3 Y 2 ) n , wherein:
 X is selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted heteroalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted heteroaryl; 
 Y is H or a water-soluble cation; and 
 n is 1 to 10. 
 
     
     
         5 . The explosive composition according to  claim 4 , wherein the phosphonate is selected from the group consisting of: phytic acid, aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), bis(hexamethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid)), diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid), tetramethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, hydroxyethylamino-di(methylene phosphonic acid), hexamethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonic acid), 2-hydroxyphosphono acetic acid, nitrilotrimethyl-phosphonic acid, polyamino polyether methylene phosphonic acid, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, glyphosate, foscarnet, perzinfotel, selfotel, N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid, 2-carboxyethyl phosphonic acid, vinylphosphonic acid, aminomethylphosphonic acid, N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)glycine, and tetramethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), and salts, solvates, dimers, and stereoisomers thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The explosive composition according to  claim 4  wherein the phosphonate is diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid sodium salt. 
     
     
         7 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the density stabiliser retains the density of the explosive composition to within +/−10% of its initial density, and wherein the density is maintained over a period of up to 10 days. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The explosive composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the density stabiliser maintains the velocity of detonation (VOD) to within +/−10% of the initial VOD, and wherein the VOD is maintained over a period of up to 14 days. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising 50% w/w or less of water. 
     
     
         12 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more components selected from the group consisting of: one or more other oxidisers, a sensitiser, a secondary fuel, a thickener, a crosslinker, an emulsifier, and an energy diluent. 
     
     
         13 . The explosive composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the sensitiser comprises a compressible material and/or bubbles of gas. 
     
     
         14 . The explosive composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the bubbles of gas are formed in situ and consist of N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 , or H 2  bubbles, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The explosive composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the compressible material is gas-entrapped material which is selected from glass microballoons, ceramic microballoons, plastic microballoons or expanded polystyrene (EPS) with a particle size smaller than 2 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The explosive composition according to  claim 15 , wherein a sufficient amount of sensitiser is added such that the composition is detonation-sensitive, and wherein the density of the explosive composition is controlled to around 0.3 to 1.4 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . The explosive composition according to  claim 13  comprising from about 0.1% to about 75% w/w one or more other oxidisers. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The explosive composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the thickener is selected from the group consisting of guar gum, xanthan gum, sodium alginate, polyacrylamides, and polyvinyl alcohols. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The explosive composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition is formulated as an emulsion or a watergel. 
     
     
         27 . The explosive composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the explosive composition contains from 2% to 25% w/w fuel, wherein the fuel comprises one or more water insoluble fuels selected from the group consisting of diesel, oils, paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils, and vegetable oils, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A method of preparing an explosive composition, the method comprising combining H 2 O 2 , fuel and one or more density stabilisers of about 0.01% to about 10% w/w. 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled)