NIOSHTIC-2 No. 20029762


Behavior of Nitrogen Oxides in the Product Gases from Explosive Detonations

January 2006

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In recent years, the toxic fumes generated by explosives have been a concern for blasters, explosive manufacturers, and mining companies. In the Western United States, blasters have been seeking ways to control the generation of nitrogen dioxide, a very toxic gas that can be produced by large blasts at surface coal mines. In the study reported here, 10-lb charges of blasting agent confined in either thin-wall 4-in-diam galvanized pipe or 4-in schedule 80 stainless steel pipe were detonated in a closed chamber. The detonation gases were analyzed for nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide (NO), ammonia, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and methane. Data were evaluated to determine the kinetics of the oxidation of NO to nitrogen dioxide. The information on NO oxidation kinetics provided in this paper will prove useful in efforts to model the behavior of NO and nitrogen dioxide in clouds of detonation products near blasting operations.

Author(s):Mainiero-RJ, Rowland-JH, Harris-ML, Sapko-MJ
Reference:Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference on Explosives and Blasting Technique, Dallas, Texas, January 29-February 1, 2006. Cleveland, OH: International Society of Explosives Engineers, 2006 Jan; 2:1-10

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Page last updated: September 17, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Mining Division