Analysis of Effect of Aluminized CANFO on Fragmentation and Economics of Quarry Blast
Abstract
Reducing the explosive cost for drilling and blasting operations conducted at limestone quarries is a major concern for every mine operator. In Pakistan, to reduce explosive cost, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate with Fuel Oil (CANFO) is commonly used in explosive column charge in place of Ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO). However, fragmentation of the blast has to be compromised over cost reduction. Hence it is desired to enhance the performance of CANFO. In this study, Aluminum (AL) is added into Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) to analyze its effect on fragmentation and economics of blast at a limestone quarry. Experimental shots were held using rectangular drilling pattern (current practice), using CANFO and ALCANFO in separate shots, while all other blast design factors were kept constant. Post blast analysis for all shots was done in terms of fragmentation and cost. The shots using ALCANFO proved to be better fragmentation wise, and also assured a saving of 1.6% in drilling and blasting costs.
References
A. Maranda, J. Paszula, I.Z. Malota and B. Kaczynski, “Aluminum powder influence on ANFO detonation parameters”, Cent. Eur. J. Energ. Mater, 2011, 8(4):p. 279-292.
, A. Maranda, A. Polanski D. Gale and Zoski, “Investigation on detonation and Thermo-Chemical Parameters of Aluminized ANFO”, J. Energetic Mater., vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 1-13, 2003.
S. Goldstein and J. Johnson, “Aquarium tests on aluminized ANFO”, Los Alamos Scientific Lab. NM, USA, 1981.
C. Lownds and B.S. Hons, “Prediction of the performance of explosives in bench mining”, JSAfr. Inst. Min. Metall, vol. 75, p. 165-180, 1975.
C. Kuzu, H. Ergin, M. A. Sözen and T. Hüdaverd, “Performance investigation of aluminized ANFO in limestone blasting operations”, Mining Technology, vol. 114, no. 4, p.194-198, 2005.
D. Buczkowski and B. Zygmunt, “Detonation properties of mixtures of ammonium nitrate based fertilizers and fuels”, Cent. Eur. J. Energ. Mater, vol. 8, no. 2, p. 99-106, 2011.
