07/10/2019 ANFO Explosives

ANFO Explosives
Ammonium Nitrate (AN) As An Oxidizer - Background
Ammonia is made from nitrogen and hydrogen which combine together under high pressure in the presence of
catalysts. Ammonia is then oxidized to nitric acid using air in the presence of pla num. Hot ammonium nitrate is
formed by neutraliza on of ammonia with nitric acid. The concentrated AN solu on can be used in several forms
or it can be used in watergel and emulsion explosives.
It is well known that ammonium nitrate is a very popular oxygen carrier in explosive mixtures. It is also used in
rocket propellants, since it is a totally gasifiable oxygen carrier. It is very soluble in water (a saturated solu on
contains about 65% NH4NO3). Transi ons in different crystal forms happen at 125, 84, 32 and -17 degrees C. The
greatest problems associated with its use are its caking and hydroscopicity.
Hydroscopicity of ammonium nitrate was considered to be the major cause of caking. Although this is just one part
of the problem, in the last two decades the polymorphism of crystals has been recognized as the cri cal factor. It
was found that at 32 degrees C, a phase transi on occurs. Also found was that hardening occurs during the process
of cooling ammonium nitrate heated above 32 degrees C. Some substances have a great influence on the change. If
the ammonium nitrate is chemically pure and free of water a different transi on (phase IV to phase II) happens at
50 degrees C. This is not as undesirable as the transi on from phase IV to phase III.
The repeated transi on between phases III and IV results in the genera on of fine par cles which cake readily
through the absorp on of moisture. For this purpose an -caking substances are used. Surface ac ve substances
(surfactants-stearates) are very helpful as an -caking agents. However the effect of these substances on the
thermal stability of ammonium nitrate can be very important. An organic substance increases the sensi vity of
ammonium nitrate.
The already men oned hydroscopicity of ammonium nitrate is its other drawback. Ammonium nitrate can be
protected against moisture by mixing it with substances such as calcium or zinc stearate, petroleum tar, asphalt,
barium sulphate and guar gum powder. Stearates have par cle sizes roughly 5 mm-20 mm in size while ammonium
nitrate has par cle sizes of 70 mm-120 mm. Thus a small propor on of stearates is sufficient to cover ammonium
nitrate par cles.
Ammonium nitrate becomes an explosive when mixed with a carbonaceous addi ve (fuel) in the correct oxygen
balanced propor on. Sensi zed with a fuel, a patent for such an explosive was issued to two Swedish scien sts in
1867. The importance of this discovery did not materialize un l 1955. The family of ammonium nitrate
carbonaceous las ng agents is a simple mixture of ammonium nitrate and some form of combus ble material such
as carbon black, powder coal, sawdust, sugar, molasses, but more generally fuel oil.
Some organic substances lower the thermal stability of ammonium nitrate. A resent experience is the accident
which happened in 1978 in Tunisia. According to an inves gator, the floor of the storage house was covered with
saw dust. The saw dust reacted with the ammonium nitrate causing a temperature rise and igni on. Finally
detona on occurred (80 tons of amrnonium nitrate).
Ammonium nitrate is currently marketed in the following forms:
Grained Ammonium nitrate. It looks like fine sugar, cakes and it is used only in dynamites.
•
Porous Prills. Their size is -6-14 mesh. They flow freely with an -caking agents.
•
High Density Regular Prills. They are hard prills made for agricultural purposes. Their size is similar to the previous
prills.
•
High Density Mini-Prills. This is a rela vely new type of prill which is very small coated with either calcium stearate
or zinc stearate. This product has an increased bulk density of 1.06 g/cc over the regular prills having a density
of 0.9 g/cc
•
Stengel cubic form.

Only the porous prills are suitable for use with fuel oil directly as a blas ng agent. The an -caking agent used is
kieselguhr (2%-3%) or some surface ac ve agent (sulphonates) or combina ons of the two.
The mini-prills are also an effec ve blas ng agent but have a higher cri cal diameter (about 100 mm confined)
than the regular porous prills. This product must also be used shortly a er being loaded (within one week).

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ANFO Types
Grained Ammonium Nitrate:
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Looks like fine sugar - cakes and is used only in dynamites for oxygen balancing – not porous – won’t absorb fuel oil

Porous Prills (BGAN):

•
Size is -6+20 mesh – flows freely with an -caking agents – low density 0.85 g/cc – suffers from low bulk strength –
not waterproof – can be blown at reach densi es up to 1 g/cc
High Density Regular Prills (FGAN):
•
Hard prills made for agriculture – won’t absorb fuel oil – can be crushed to hold 6% fuel oil – low detona on
veloci es when mixed with fuel oil – no water resistance

Porous Prilled AN

High Density Mini-Prills:

•
New type of prills which is very small size – 8+100 mesh – coated with either calcium strearate or magnesium
stearate
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Increased bulk density of 1.06 over regular prills – not waterproof

CHMAN – NEW DEVELOPMENT BY NEXCO:

•
Chemically modified ammonium nitrate – micro-par cles with mesh size in microns (100 microns largest par cle)
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High density, high velocity plas cized ammonium nitrate with binder – very water resistant
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Has C4 appearance, can be made into a variety of consistencies

Micro-par cle AN (MPAN) - 100 microns scale

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ANFO Usage in the Mining Industry - Surface and Underground

ANFO Detona on Velocity
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Cri cal diameter unconfined BGAN – density of 0.85 g/cc – 3 in (76 mm)
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Cri cal diameter confined BGAN – same density – 2.5 in (64 mm)
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Cri cal diameter unconfined crushed BGAN – density of 0.80 g/cc – 2 inch (50 mm)
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Cri cal diameter confined crushed BGAN – density of 0.80 g/cc – 1 inch (25 mm)
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Confinement steepens the velocity-diameter curve and lowers the cri cal diameter

Why ANFO?
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Cheap
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Can be blown into small diameter holes in dri ing using pneuma c ANFO loaders
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Fast loading rates using auger type bulk transport vehicles

Why NOT ANFO?

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Velocity – Diameter curve shallow because of grain burning mechanism
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Inefficient crushing using loaders/chargers
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Waste is high – ½ bags are not returned to magazine – le in dri as waste
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Not water-resistant
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Very poor bulk strength – density is not variable – pa ern size is small – usually pulled in
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Energy is not variable

ANFO Fumes in the Underground Environment

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Over-fueling leads to carbon monoxide (CO) forma on
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Reac on is oxygen balance nega ve
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Under-fueling leads to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) forma on
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Reac on is oxygen balance posi ve
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Underground environment is very humid and wet – avoid using caked ANFO or ANFO that appears to have prill
breakdown
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ANFO hazard classifica on is 1.5 – fume classifica on is 1
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Fume Class 1 explosive can be used for any type of underground blas ng opera ons

ANFO As a Blas ng Agent

ANFO advantages are related to economy, efficiency and safety. Neither component (ammonium nitrate or fuel oil)
is classified as an explosive, but when mixed in the correct stoichiometric propor ons and with adequate priming,
the mixture becomes a powerful low cost explosive. It can be bulk stored and loaded on site cheaply, thus avoiding

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excessive costly and restric ve transporta on condi ons. The components are usually delivered (in bulk) to the
site separately, and mixed locally as required (under federal government approval).
Generally, two types of ammonium nitrate are available for use in blas ng opera ons; low density porous prilled,
and high density non-porous prilled ammonium nitrate. The la er type must be treated (usually by crushing) to
provide reten on of the required 6% fuel oil addi on. However there are some other forms of ammonium nitrate
also not normally applied to explosives end uses..
Because ammonium nitrate is used on a large scale, it must be remembered that even though this material is not
classified as an explosive by itself, several disasters involving its storage have occurred. Ammonium nitrate for use
in mining opera ons is usually shipped by heavy truck or railway car to sheltered structures located at the mine
site. Special bulk trucks constructed for transferring the nitrate from building to blast hole are used all having the
added capability of blending the ammonium nitrate with the required 6% fuel oil. Free-poured ANFO suffers from
the disadvantage of having low density and therefore low bulk strength. The best way to increase the energy of
ANFO is through the addi on of aluminum to ammonium nitrate resul ng in higher energy output compared to
just fuel oil. Originally the percentage of aluminum used was low and o en other fuels of doub ul use, e.g. such as
ferrophosphorous and ferrosilicon were used. In fact, these later so-called ‘fuels’ were simply used to make the
ANFO heavy so that it would sink in water.
Aluminum is being used in explosives to increase energy output. Aluminum, when reac ng in the detona on
process, produces aluminum oxides. The reac ons are exothermic and the energy output of the explosive is
improved. The graph below shows the effect of aluminum in the energy of ANFO. It is obvious that energy can be
increased. However the rate of increase falls-off beyond the 13%-15% Al point. This is probably the upper limit for
economic reasons as well. Furthermore at higher percentages the energy output falls off. It should be noted here
that solid Al2O3 results as a product of reac on. This has energy trapped in it. From blas ng studies it is es mated
that only 1/2 of the energy which is associated with the solids is available for useful work. A large percentage of
aluminum desensi zes the product.
Another disadvantage of the aluminized mixes is the produc on of hydrogen. This has been par cularly serious in
underground mining in the past where coarse grained aluminum has been added to explosives with the result that
hydrogen was formed in the humid and wet environment of some underground boreholes that were not
breakthroughs. Dropping stones or grit down such boreholes in the presence of hydrogen caused a localized
reac on with some serious consequences. Fine grained aluminum (paint flake or atomized) is added to
underground explosives that are completely oxygen balanced so that the likelihood of hydrogen mixed with
oxygen from the atmospheric air is an explosive mix which can result in secondary explosions. This happens
through the following reac ons in the detona on products;

2AI + 1/2 O2 Al2O

Al2O + 2H2O Al2O3 + 2H2

The size of the aluminum grain must be small enough so that reac on can be completed in the detona on head.
However there is a limit to the size which is imposed by safety considera ons. Aluminum dust can be explosive and
the par cle size is the most significant factor controlling the explosibility of the dust. It follows that the minimum
size of the aluminum grain should not be smaller than 150 mesh. For use in explosives, par cle sizes larger then
20 mesh do not react properly since the surface area they provide is small. Thus the largest par cles should not be
larger than 20 mesh.
The aluminum used in open cast blas ng opera ons is added to the bulk mixed ANFO explosive and delivered by
truck using special augers and feeders for surface opera ons. Specially designed star valves are employed to
prevent air from bleeding back into the system. Aluminized ANFO is not used in underground blas ng opera ons.
Aluminum in contact with water produces hydrogen when aluminum is in par culate form.
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Effect of Aluminum Addi on to ANFO

ANFO Water-Resistance Using Guar

Guar added to ANFO in a powder form – it will hydrate when water hits it
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Increases the cri cal diameter slightly – becomes a fuel in the detona on reac on
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Reduces the hydroscopicity around prills since a mini-gel is formed around each prill
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Very costly ingredient and does not make ANFO waterproof only water-resistant
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Gelling is stable in standing water – will break down under dynamic water condi ons
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ANFO bags must be rotated since the fine par cle size of guar will cause separa on in the container (bag)

ANFO explosives are not confined to open pit mining opera ons. Pneuma c loaders holding up to several hundred
pounds of explosive are used in underground mining opera ons. Such loaders have the addi onal advantage of
reducing the par cle size of ammonium nitrate prills. The crushing of the prills effec vely reduces the cri cal
diameter of the explosive so that it can successfully detonate in small diameter boreholes such as those drilled in
many underground mines.
The detona on ability of ANFO mixes depends on the reac on rate between the AN par cles and the fuel. In order
to increase the reac on rate the par cle size of the ammonium nitrate can be reduced. However, this method has
a limit because ammonium nitrate and oily fuels repel each other. For this reason the ac on of surfactants has
been explored. It was found that anionic surfactants, such as sodium dinaphthylmethane disulfonate, sodium
laurylsulphate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulphonate improved the caking characteris cs of the mix as well as its
detona ng ability. The graph below shows the energy output related to fuel oil percentage.

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Energy Output with Fuel Oil Percentage

Fuels Used in other AN/Fuels Explosives

The most common fuel used in ammonium nitrate fuel explosives is regular #2 fuel oil. Fuel oil is not viscous and it
can be mixed easily. In the case of the mini-prills, Paratac (a tacifier or long chained polyisobutylene) is mixed with
standard #2 fuel oil in the range of .1%. This literally causes the fuel oil to ‘s ck’ to the mini-prill.
The amount of fuel oil which has to be used is determined by the oxygen balance of the composi on. For the
oxygen balanced composi on

3NH4NO3 + CH2 3N2

+ 7H2O + CO2

Therefore 14 g of fuel oil is mixed with 240 g of ammonium nitrate. This results in a composi on of ammonium
nitrate 94.5% and fuel oil 5.5%. This is normal ANFO.
Other energe c fuels can be used instead of fuel oil. When examining the alterna ves the areas of concern are:
flash point, health hazard, composi on varia on, ability to mix and blend properly, cost, energy output, viscosity
at low temperatures and ability of the prills to hold the necessary quan ty of fuel.
In the past nitromethane was proposed to be used with ammonium nitrate. The oxygen balanced mixture is
determined by the following equa on:

2CH3NO2 + 3 NH4NO3
2CO2 + 9H2O + 4N2

This would result in a composi on - ammonium nitrate 67%, nitromethane 33%. It is impossible for ammonium
nitrate prills to hold such a quan ty of fuel. Nitromethane is highly vola le with hazardous fumes (ignitable by a
spark) and is also dangerous to health. To oxygen balance the above equa on using nitropropane, the composi on
would be ammonium nitrate 87%, nitropropane 13%. This is more feasible than the nitromethane case. However
nitropropane is vola le with fumes also hazardous to health.
A empts have been made to use spent lubrica ng oils. Lubrica ng oils have flash points higher than fuel oil (150
degrees C-200 degrees C versus 80 degrees C). Fuel reten on tests have proven to be sa sfactory. However the
viscosity of these oils is much higher than fuel oil. As a result the mix is not as in mate as in the case of fuel oil.
Furthermore the composi on of the used oil is not exactly known.
In tests the composi ons with used oil behaved in a very similar fashion as the composi ons with fuel oil. A slight
difference was no ced only in the cri cal diameters. In the case of AN/FO ( = 0.85 g/cc) the cri cal diameter is 7.5
cm (unconfined) while in the case of AN/used FO it was l0 cm. Up to 50/50 new/used oil is sa sfactory at low
temperatures.
Other fuels which have been tried are coal dust, and sawdust. Even ground up corn husks have been tried (in
Chile). All of these pose a problem in mixing. However they can be a promising alterna ve to fuel oil where the
economic condi ons are favorable.
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ANFO Sensi vity

Various factors affect the sensi vity of AN/Fuel mixes. The major parameters are par cle size, porosity, in macy of
mixing and stoichiometry.
•
Effect of par cle size. Figure below shows the rela onship between ammonium nitrate par cle size and the
sensi vity of the AN/FO product expressed as the reciprocal of the weight of the minimum primer. As par cle size
decreases – sensi vity increases (reac on rate is increased)
•
Effect of porosity: As it was explained before the oxidizer and the fuel have to be mixed well in order to improve
the reac on rate. Improving the porosity essen ally reduces the par cle size. Therefore a similar effect to that of
reduced par cle size can be obtained by increasing the porosity of the product. However, when dealing with solid
fuels, the effect of porosity becomes less pronounced since these fuels cannot penetrate the porous prills but they
can only contact external surfaces.
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In macy of mixing: From experiments it has been found that the least viscous fuels resulted in the most sensi ve
product. Fuel and oxidizer phase must be in mately mixed. Improper mixing will raise the cri cal diameter and
suppress the ideal velocity
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Stoichiometry: The most sensi ve composi on is usually the oxygen balanced one. But this is not always the case.
It has been reported maximum sensi vi es can occur when the product is either overfueled or underfueled
specifically various coa ngs of the ammonium nitrate prill are used. Stearate coa ngs are much more sensi ve
than clay or other mineral coa ngs.
•
Composi on: Some mes sodium nitrate is used with ammonium nitrate because of its low cost and its higher
density.
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Density: For the very small sizes sensi vity is not affected markedly by changes in the bulk density between values
0.9 and 1.1 g/cc. The larger prills are affected more. Lowering density increases sensi vity (especially in large
charge diameters)
•
Water Addi on: Ammonium nitrate is hydroscopic and will desensi ze ANFO as well as increase the density.
Water injec on (1%) can be added when loading ANFO in upholes to help pack the explosive material – shoot
same day

Effect of Par cle Size on ANFO Sensi vity

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ANFO Detona on Proper es - Detona on Velocity

A typical velocity of detona on charge diameter curve for ANFO is shown on the next page in the graph below.
The cri cal diameter of the prilled product ( = 0.8 g/cc) is 7.5 cm when the product is unconfined. Confinement
decreases the cri cal diameter to about 5 cm. The ideal detona on velocity of ANFO at a density of 0.85 g/cc is
5200 m/sec. From the above curve it follows that ANFO detonates non-ideally even at very large diameters. It has
been found that the ideal detona on of ANFO can be achieved when using very strong confinement or using
confinement and a very large diameter of charge (in the range of 44 cm).
Factors which affect the ANFO performance are the density, par cle size, porosity and composi on.

Velocity Diameter Curve for Confined and Unconfined Charges of ANFO

There is some controversy as to the density at which dead-packing occurs for ANFO. Some authors claim that the
maximum density at which ANFO can be used is 1.2 g/cc. However, there may be the argument that it depends on
how the ANFO is packed within its package. Indeed, with pressed ANFO charges reaching a density of 1.23 g/cc,
veloci es of detona on have been recorded in excess of 5500 m/sec. This checks out closely with that predicted by
the equa on given previously in metric units;

where:
Dideal = ideal detona on velocity
ρ ANFO density

A density of 1.2 g/cc will not be achieved by using the prilled product free-poured or tamped. Such a density can
be obtained only by crushing and pressing ANFO (hydraulically). The effect of the par cle size has been previously
men oned. Smaller AN par cle size results in smaller cri cal diameters. The detona on parameters of ANFO are
seriously affected by water in the borehole. Water desensi zes ANFO. The figure below provides a typical example
of the effect of water in ANFO. In cri cal situa ons, plas c liners are placed in the even in small diameter
boreholes in underground mining opera ons.

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Effect of Water Addi on to ANFO Detonated Within 5 Hours of

Mixing in 100 mm Tubing Using .5 kg Primers

Fumes
Since ammonium nitrate and fuel oil explosives are used in underground mines, the fumes produced from the
detona on are of par cular importance. The lack of proper control over the prepara on of the mixture can lead to
serious problems. Minimum amounts of carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides are produced when the
composi on is oxygen balanced. ANFO must be primed using a strong primer. Also it is important that the blas ng
sequence be designed properly so that very small burdens are eliminated
Marginal ini a on, water in the boreholes and inadequate burdens can increase the amounts of noxious gases
produced. It follows that the amount of carbon monoxide increases drama cally when the oxygen balance of the
composi on drops below zero. Also the produc on of NO2 increases significantly when the composi on is
underfueled. The same inves gators have examined the role of the primer in the produc on of toxic gases.
Underpriming increases the produc on of nitrogen oxides.

Quality Control
Since the quality of the ammonium nitrate prill is very important for the mixing fuel oil, the following is important;
•
Moisture. High moisture in the prill leads to caking which causes poor fuel mixing since it will inhibit the ability of
the prill to absorb fuel oil. The manufacturer of ammonium nitrate must examine the moisture content carefully.
The porosity of the prills depends on the amount of moisture which is included in the prill prior to the prilling
process.
•
Density. High density prills do not absorb fuel oil properly. Very low density prills break easily under normal
applica on.
•
Par cle sizing. The ammonium nitrate prills should be free flowing. Typical par cle sizes are given in the following:

+8 mesh 5 - 10%
+10 mesh 50 - 65%
+14 mesh 15 - 20%
+20 mesh 5 - 10%
-20 mesh 0 - 1%

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Oil absorbency. The prills should be able to absorb at least 6% fuel oil (by weight).
•
Friability. It determines if the material will break under normal handling. If prills are too friable, they will break
into powder during shipping with the result that the protec ve layer of an -caking will be lost, thus leading to
clumping. These would be broken up prior to use or applica on of the fuel oil. FGAN prills do not absorb 6% fuel
oil.
•
Clay content. Water insoluble materials are added to the Ammonium Nitrate as an -caking agents. These materials
are also inert and therefore do not contribute to the detona on reac ons.
•
Fuel oil content in the final product. The oxygen balance determines the performance, the sensi vity and the
fumes of the product when it detonates. Frequent test to determine the fuel oil content should be conducted.
Samples must be taken on a random basis. The weight of the sample before and a er the extrac on gives the
weight of the fuel oil.

ANFO Applica ons - Underground Opera ons

Dry mixes are used in both underground and open pit (surface) opera ons. ANFO is not only used by itself, but is
also a major or minor cons tuent in ANFO and emulsion blends. However, it must always be remembered that two
key limita ons of ANFO in any applica on are lack of water resistance and low bulk strength.
The underground applica on of ANFO is influenced most directly by the diameter of the boreholes. Prilled ANFO
has a large cri cal diameter. Underground opera ons u lize boreholes ranging from 25 mm (1 in) to 153 mm (6 in).
It is obvious that if small diameters are used crushed ANFO must be used. Crushed ANFO has a smaller cri cal
diameter than prilled ANFO. Pneuma c loaders are normally used for loading the boreholes. A typical diagram of a
pneuma c loader is shown below.
It should be noted that a variety of pneuma c loaders exists. Some of these loaders will crush the ANFO prill in the
blasthole by moving it at a rela vely high velocity. Thus they achieve high loading densi es and good sensi vity of
the product (since small par cles of ANFO are more sensi ve). However pneuma c loading results in sta c
electricity build-ups unless proper procedures are followed. Sta c electricity can interfere with the electric blas ng
caps and cause premature detona ons. Hoses are made with a special addi ve in the rubber matrix that will bleed
off sta c electricity for safe handling.

ANFO loading pot that uses compressed air at 624 KPa

ANFO pneuma c loaders permit the use of porous prilled ANFO to be used in small diameter boreholes down to 32
mm only because the prill is crushed to a smaller size allowing the detona on reac on to propagate even when
the cri cal diameter of the normal prill is 50 mm. If the venturi is not cleaned out regularly from the corrosion that
occurs following the breakdown of the prills, the airflow velocity will be reduced and the prill breakdown and
packing density will suffer. The ANFO blown into the small diameter borehole should be in the density range of
0.95 g/cc-1.0 g/cc. Crushing reduces the cri cal diameter of the ANFO from 50 mm confined to less than 32 mm
confined. However detona on velocity is s ll low. This means that the detona on velocity is non-ideal and that
most of the ANFO ingredients will react outside the detona on reac on zone.
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Safety procedures using an ANFO loader are;

•
Ground the pneuma c loader.
•
Use a conduc ve loading hose.
•
Ground the operator.
•
Ambient rela ve humidity should be more than 50%.
As previously men oned ANFO is affected by water. The problem is overcome by using proper liners. If sta c
electricity is a problem the liners should be conduc ve (can use semiconduc ve ground straps). First the water is
blown out from the hole by using the loading hose. Then the liner is a ached to the pipe, inserted in the borehole
and loading con nues as usual.

Open Pit Opera ons

ANFO is the most popular open cast explosive because of its low cost. In large open pit blas ng opera ons ANFO
and aluminized ANFO are handled by special bulk mix trucks. Trucks consist of hoppers for the ammonium nitrate,
augers, valves to stop air bleeding back into the system and an air stream or augers to convey the mixed product in
the borehole. Trucks are calibrated regularly to maintain quality control of the final ANFO product.
A significant problem in the applica on of ANFO is its use in wet holes. In underground mines since VRM holes are
extremely long compared to open pit or surface mining applica ons, either emulsion or watergel explosives are
used.
However in open cast mining opera ons, special dewatering equipment has been manufactured to dewater the
boreholes before loading. The loading of the holes is then done by using dryliners. These consist of polythene
tubing sealed at the bo om. Dryliners can be bought or they can be manufactured on site. The dryliners should be
waterproof, free of pinholes and should be strong enough to withstand normal handling. Some dryliners are
manufactured so that they are an -sta c having trace amounts of conduc ve material being added during the
manufacturing process.
Today rapid loading ANFO loaders have been developed which can be used in open pits and quarries as well as
underground mines. These loaders compact the material in the blasthole, increasing the density and reducing the
par cle size of the powder. As a result the economics are improve from the increase of the bulk strength while the
explosive detonates with higher velocity of detona on.

Water Resistant ANFO

Recently products called "water resistant ANFO" have appeared in the market. In spite of their name these
products should be used a er dewatering of the holes. "Water resistant ANFO" contains guar gum which coats the
ANFO prills. Quar gum is a long chained crosslinking gum or natural polymer which holds the solid phase of
explosives (usually in watergels) together so that there is no segrega on. The gum coming in contact with water
turns it into a gel. This can reduce small water inflows to the blasthole a er the loading of the product. However
the gel normally does not react in the detona on wave especially since it has water as one of its main cons tuents.
Thus the effec ve diameter of the product is reduced at the point where the gel has formed.
It should be noted that because of the difference in par cle size between the quar gum and the ANFO prills, the
small par cles of guar will se le out. It is always prudent to rotate the bagged water-resistant ANFO so that the
se ling process is prevented. When guar gum se les out, pouring the contents into the wet borehole could results
in plugs being formed.

The Inven on of Micro-Par cle AN

Much has been said about AN and its two forms, prills and solu on. It was found that mixing special surfactants
with AN solu on that prilling towers may be relegated to the past since there was a more efficient form of AN
par cles that could be produced. By efficient, it was found that AN could be made by atomizing AN solu on in a
flight tube to produce a be er form for use in manufacturing a commercial ANFO based explosive that exhibit
proper es that might make prills obsolete. The en ty called Nexco was formed to inves gate this technology.
What is the Nexco technology for manufacturing blas ng grade AN?
Nexco has developed a new manufacturing process that chemically modifies AN solu on to produce an enhanced
blas ng grade ammonium nitrate (Nexil - MPAN) for both bulk and packaged explosive products.
Why is MPANFO be er than regular porous prilled ANFO for blas ng opera ons?
•
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07/10/2019 ANFO Explosives

MPANFO is a high density AN product that is hydrophobic (water resistant) with excellent storage proper es. It can
be manufactured into a high density, high detona on velocity explosive. It exhibits user-variable energy proper es
using a range of moisture contents.
•
AN porous prills ranged -8+14 whereas MPAN ranged -200 microns
Why is the MPAN technology considered to be disrup ve?
•
Has the poten al of replacing all exis ng bulk and packaged explosive products –universal explosive product family
from a single plant.
•
Low cost manufacturing plant capital and explosive product cost.
•
Has the poten al of becoming an user-controlled variable energy product that can be pumped into blastholes.
•
Opportunity for a minesite to produce its own explosive products.
•
Opens up partnership/contrac ng opportuni es with a minesite in control of explosive manufacturing.
•
Poten ally important savings in terms of explosive storage as well as benefits in safety and environmental
considera ons (green technology).
•
MPANFO is a higher detona on velocity (VOD) and a higher density explosive, exhibi ng higher shock (brisance)
and higher gas (heave) at a poten ally lower cost and be er results.
Unfortunately, while a good idea, the capital for manufacturing was not secured. Seems like this product is stuck as
being something ahead of its me.
You can ready more about this technology by following the link. NewMPANTechnology

References
1.
From Dr. Alan Bauer course notes
1.
From Dr P. Katsabanis course notes
1.
From C. J Preston notes from Queen's University Test Site, Dupont field tes ng
1.
From C. J. Preston patents for MPAN and MPANFO

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