1
25-041
Hydrogen Peroxide Emulsion (HPE) Explosive for Nitrate and
Ammonia Free Mine Blasting
D. Scott Scovira
BME USA Inc, Chatham, MA
Thomas Gustavsson
Hypex Bio Explosives Technology AB, Stockholm,
Sweden
ABSTRACT
Exiting WW2, the potential of nitrates and hydrogen per-
oxide for application as industrial explosives both became
known. The technology stream advanced the development
and uptake of nitrate-based explosives to the point that
they are the current global standard for blasting. Recently
environmental issues are influencing the strategic agenda of
extractive industries. The mid-2010s saw renewed interest
in hydrogen peroxide explosives to eliminate NOx fume.
Carbon reduction initiatives in the 2020s provided addi-
tional impetus to investigate hydrogen peroxide-based
explosives.
Hypex Bio is at the forefront of developing and deliver-
ing bulk gas sensitized Hydrogen Peroxide Emulsion (HPE)
for blasting. HPE consists of hydrogen peroxide along with
smaller amounts of fuel and emulsifier. The consistency of
HPE is similar to industry- standard nitrate-based emul-
sions. It is compatible with existing priming and initiation
systems. HPE does not contain nitrates and thereby does
not produce post blast nitrous oxide fumes nor discharge of
nitrates or ammonia to mine water. Importantly, HPE con-
tributes to reduction in total carbon emissions as compared
to nitrate-based explosives.
BREAKING THE NITRATE BASED
EXPLOSIVES GREENHOUSE
Exiting World War 2 (mid-1940s), the potential of nitrates
(ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate) and
hydrogen peroxide for application as a commercial explo-
sive for mining, construction, and other industrial pur-
poses became known. The technology stream advanced the
development and uptake of nitrate-based explosives to the
point that they are the current global standard for blasting.
Post blast NOx fume generation, aqueous nitrate
and ammonia wastewater discharge, cost and security of
ammonium nitrate supply, and contribution to carbon
dioxide (CO2) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity are
all detractors for nitrate-based explosives in a world seek-
ing to realize ESG (environmental, social, and governance)
standards. Many explosive manufacturers have significant
capital investments in infrastructure for the manufacture of
ammonium nitrate and other nitrates, and accordingly not
all companies with these holdings are motivated to prog-
ress a true transformational chemical shift towards greener
explosives.
“Green ammonia” is the latest catch phase being mar-
keted by major manufacturers of industrial grade ammo-
nium nitrate. Green ammonia is produced using hydrogen
derived from renewable energy sources, thus reducing the
carbon footprint associated with ammonia production
using fossil fuels. However, consider that green ammonia is
ultimately used as feedstock to produce the same ammonia
nitrate-based explosives currently in use. Green ammonia
nitrate-based explosives do not solve the issues of post blast
NOx gas releases to the atmosphere nor the contamination
of water with nitrates and ammonia.
Over the last two decades, there has been renewed inter-
est in hydrogen peroxide as a strong oxidizer component
for the manufacture of industrial explosives. Hydrogen per-
oxide explosives have the potential to decrease or eliminate
several of the detractors associated with nitrate-based explo-
sives noted above. Research is advancing the development
25-041
Hydrogen Peroxide Emulsion (HPE) Explosive for Nitrate and
Ammonia Free Mine Blasting
D. Scott Scovira
BME USA Inc, Chatham, MA
Thomas Gustavsson
Hypex Bio Explosives Technology AB, Stockholm,
Sweden
ABSTRACT
Exiting WW2, the potential of nitrates and hydrogen per-
oxide for application as industrial explosives both became
known. The technology stream advanced the development
and uptake of nitrate-based explosives to the point that
they are the current global standard for blasting. Recently
environmental issues are influencing the strategic agenda of
extractive industries. The mid-2010s saw renewed interest
in hydrogen peroxide explosives to eliminate NOx fume.
Carbon reduction initiatives in the 2020s provided addi-
tional impetus to investigate hydrogen peroxide-based
explosives.
Hypex Bio is at the forefront of developing and deliver-
ing bulk gas sensitized Hydrogen Peroxide Emulsion (HPE)
for blasting. HPE consists of hydrogen peroxide along with
smaller amounts of fuel and emulsifier. The consistency of
HPE is similar to industry- standard nitrate-based emul-
sions. It is compatible with existing priming and initiation
systems. HPE does not contain nitrates and thereby does
not produce post blast nitrous oxide fumes nor discharge of
nitrates or ammonia to mine water. Importantly, HPE con-
tributes to reduction in total carbon emissions as compared
to nitrate-based explosives.
BREAKING THE NITRATE BASED
EXPLOSIVES GREENHOUSE
Exiting World War 2 (mid-1940s), the potential of nitrates
(ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate) and
hydrogen peroxide for application as a commercial explo-
sive for mining, construction, and other industrial pur-
poses became known. The technology stream advanced the
development and uptake of nitrate-based explosives to the
point that they are the current global standard for blasting.
Post blast NOx fume generation, aqueous nitrate
and ammonia wastewater discharge, cost and security of
ammonium nitrate supply, and contribution to carbon
dioxide (CO2) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity are
all detractors for nitrate-based explosives in a world seek-
ing to realize ESG (environmental, social, and governance)
standards. Many explosive manufacturers have significant
capital investments in infrastructure for the manufacture of
ammonium nitrate and other nitrates, and accordingly not
all companies with these holdings are motivated to prog-
ress a true transformational chemical shift towards greener
explosives.
“Green ammonia” is the latest catch phase being mar-
keted by major manufacturers of industrial grade ammo-
nium nitrate. Green ammonia is produced using hydrogen
derived from renewable energy sources, thus reducing the
carbon footprint associated with ammonia production
using fossil fuels. However, consider that green ammonia is
ultimately used as feedstock to produce the same ammonia
nitrate-based explosives currently in use. Green ammonia
nitrate-based explosives do not solve the issues of post blast
NOx gas releases to the atmosphere nor the contamination
of water with nitrates and ammonia.
Over the last two decades, there has been renewed inter-
est in hydrogen peroxide as a strong oxidizer component
for the manufacture of industrial explosives. Hydrogen per-
oxide explosives have the potential to decrease or eliminate
several of the detractors associated with nitrate-based explo-
sives noted above. Research is advancing the development