Chemical Process Industries

CHE-232
Group Members
Hamad 21013123-009
Hashir Attique 21013123-010
Muhammad Umer 21013123-016
 Topic:
Technological advancement in
explosives, Manufacturing and usage.
 Technological Advancement In Explosives

Explosives have been used for centuries in various applications, including

mining, construction, and military operations. Over time, technological
advancements have improved the effectiveness, safety, and precision of
explosives.
Some of the major technological advancements in explosives include:
 Chemical Formulations: Advances in chemical formulations have
resulted in more powerful and efficient explosives that require less material
to achieve the same level of destruction. For example, the development of
high explosives like TNT (Trinitrotoluene) and RDX (Cyclotrimethylene
Trinitramine) has revolutionized military and industrial explosives.
 Electronic Detonators: Electronic detonators allow for much greater
precision in setting off explosives, which is particularly useful in mining
operations where precise rock fragmentation is required. These detonators can
also be remotely controlled and programmed to detonate at specific times or
under specific conditions, improving safety and accuracy.
 Nanotechnology: The use of nanotechnology in explosives has led to the
development of nanoenergetic materials, which have significantly higher energy
densities and reactivity compared to traditional explosives. These materials can
be used to create smaller, more powerful and precise explosives, which are
particularly useful in military applications.
 Additives: Additives like emulsifiers and gelling agents have been developed to
improve the safety and stability of explosives. These additives can help prevent
accidental detonation or make it easier to handle and transport explosives
safely.
 Blast Simulation Software: Computer software has been developed to
simulate and model blast effects, which can help engineers and technicians plan
more effective and efficient explosive operations. This technology allows for
precise calculations of the blast effects, taking into account factors such as soil,
rock, and air pressure, which leads to more precise blasting and better results.
Explosives
 Introduction:
 Any chemical mixtures, compound or device that can reacts at
high velocities to liberate gas or heat causing at high pressure
which can be initiated by blasting cap.

A substance which can be made to explode,

especially any of those used in bombs or shells.
 An explosive substance is a solid or liquid substance (or mixture
of substances) which is in itself capable by chemical reaction of
producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such
a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings.
 Decomposition

Chemical

Deflagration
Types of
Explosives

Exotic Detonation
 Types of Explosives:
Chemical
decomposition Deflagration
Chemical Detonation

Exotic
 Explode due to
storage.
 Over years,
 Chemical A substance is classed as a
explosion due
days weeks or
deflagrating material when a
to the friction within small amount of it in an
presence of seconds. unconfined condition suddenly Explosion is
NO2, -ONO2, These explosions ignites when sub- jected to a propagated by the
-NHNO2 flame, spark, shock, friction or
are due to the use high temperatures. Deflagrating
shock wave
groups. of high intensity navigated through
explosives burn faster and more
laser arc and due violently than ordinary explosive material.
to heating a combustible materials.
substance at its
plasma state.
 Classification of Explosion:

Explosives

Low High
Miscellaneous
Explosive Explosive

Primary Secondary Improvised Nuclear

Explosives Explosives

Main
Boosters
Charge
 Explosives
(1) Primary Explosives:
o They are slightly sensitive explosives, which explode on receiving a slight shock or by fire .
o These explosives are also known as initiating explosives.
1. Lead Azide.
2. Mercury Fulminate.

(2) Low Explosives:

o They simply burn and do not explode suddenly.
o The chemical reaction takes place in such explosives are comparatively slow.
Examples:
1. Gun powder or black powder.
2. Smokeless powder.
 Explosives
(3) High Explosives:
 They have higher energy content than primary than primary explosives.
 They are stable and quite intensive fire and mechanical shocks.

Single compound explosives

Trinitrotoluene Pentaerythritol
Ammonium Nitrate
(TNT) Tetranitrate

Cylonite (RDX)
Manufacturing and Applications Of
Some Important Explosives:
 Manufacturing and Applications
(1) Lead Azide:
 It is prepared by reacting aqueous solutions of sodium azide and lead nitrate.
2NaN3 + Pb(NO3)2 Pb(N3)2 + NaNO3
 During the preparation, formation of large crystals must be avoided, since
the breakup of crystalline needles may produce an explosion.
 Accordingly, technical grade product is mostly manufactured which contains
92-96% Pb(N3)2, and it is precipitated in the presence of polyvinyl alcohol,
dextrin or other substances which interfere with crystals growth.
 It is used in detonators to initiate secondary explosives.
 It is a white buff powder.
 Lead azide is employed as an initiating explosive in blasting.
 It is used as a primary charge.
 It is affective in smaller quantities.
 In order to improve its flammability, an easily flammable additive, such as lead
trinotroresorcinate, is added.

(2) Mercury Fulminate:

 It is prepared by dissolving mercury in nitric acid , after which

solution is poured into the 95% ethanol.
 After a short time, vigorous gas evolution takes place and crystals formed.
 When the reaction is complete, crystals are filtered by suction and washed
until neutral.
 The mercury fulminate product is obtained as small, brown to grey
pyramid-shaped crystals; the color is formed due to the presence of
colloidal mercury.
 The possible decomposition of mercury II fulminate yields carbon dioxide
gas, nitrogen gas and, a combination of relatively stable mercury salts.

Hg(CNO)2 2CO + N2 + Hg
 It was used in compressed form in the manufacture of blasting
caps. The materials, the caps, and the shells are made of
copper.
(3) Trinitrotoluene (TNT):
 In industry TNT is produced in three-step process. First toluene
is nitrated with a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acid to
produced mononitrotoluene MNT.
 The MNT is separated and renitrated with dinotrotoluene DTN.
 In the final step DNT is nitrated with TNT using anhydrous
mixture of nitric acid and oleum.
 Nitric acid is consumed by the manufacturing process. But the
diluted sulfuric acid can be reconcentrated and reused.
 TNT is one of the most commonly used explosives for military, industrial,
and mining application.
 TNT has been used in conjunction with hydraulic fracturing, a process is
used for the recovery of oil and gas form shale formation.

(4) Gunpowder:
 Gunpowder is also known as black powder, is a chemical explosive. It is a
mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter).
 The sulfur and charcoal act as fuels, and a saltpeter is an oxidizer.
 Because of its burning properties and the amount of heat and gas volume
that it generates, gunpowder has been widely used as a propellant in
firearms and also in fireworks.
 A simple cited, chemical equation for the combustion of black powder is:
10KNO3 + 3S + 8C 2K2CO3 + 3K2SO3 + 6CO2 + 5N2
Characteristics of
Explosives:
 Sensitivity
Availability Stability
to Velocity
& cost
Initiation

Performance Brisance Density Volatility

Explosive Oxygen Chemical

Toxicity train balance Decomposition
 Uses of Explosives
(1) In Mining:
Explosives are essential in breaking rock. Surface mines in the coal and
metal/nonmetal sectors rely extensively on explosives to uncover mineral deposits. The
mining industry considers blasting an essential component for the success of their
operations.

(2) In Construction:
They are also used frequently in the construction industry for the development of
new roads, excavation of ground for the foundations of buildings or basement areas and in
demolition work.

(3) In Engineering:
Mining and explosive engineers use science and engineering principles to safely extract
minerals and provide raw materials for industrial processes.
 References

 https://
miningandblasting.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/explosives-6th-edition-by
-meyer-kohler-and-homburg-2007.pdf

 https://
www.gichd.org/fileadmin/GICHD-resources/rec-documents/Ex
plosive_weapon_effects_web.pdf

 https://
ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/ADVANCED%20M
ATERIAL%20DESIGN/epdf.pub_high-energy-materials-propella
nts-explosives-and-p.pdf
Thank
You!