Apparatus and method for loading fluent explosives in upwardly extending boreholes

摘要

Apparatus for loading an upwardly extending borehole with a fluent explosive, including a tubular member extending along a portion of its length into the borehole, a conduit axially extending into the external open end section of the tubular member to a point short of the borehole face, and means for collapsing the tubular member intermediate the end of the conduit therein and the borehole face.PP The tubular member is outwardly expanded along at least a portion of its periphery and length in the borehole into impact engagement with the borehole wall by force of detonation generated within said length portion, for support in the borehole and for closing the borehole sufficiently to preclude gravitation of fluent explosive through the annulus formed by the tubular member and the borehole wall when the explosive is conveyed into the borehole through the tubular member. The conduit is supported within the tubular member by means within the conduit-tubular member annulus concomitantly closing the annulus sufficiently to preclude gravitation therethrough of fluent explosive conveyed into the tubular member from the conduit.PPThe apparatus provides for charging the explosive through the conduit and into, and generally completely through, the tubular member for detonation after which the tubular member is collapsed to retain the explosive in emplacement; and for removal of the collapsing means and conduit and its support means from the system prior to detonation of the emplaced charge. Means for detonation of the emplaced charge, and method, are also provided.