2
of stable hydrogen peroxide emulsion explosives that effec-
tively replace nitrates in the oxidizer phase.
In 2020, Hypex Bio Explosives Technology launched
the world’s first commercially available hydrogen peroxide
emulsion (Hypex B01). Two years later, a refined version of
hydrogen peroxide emulsion was introduced (Hypex B02).
Hypex Bio’s hydrogen peroxide emulsions are emerging as a
transformative explosive technology that hold the promise
of superseding nitrate-based explosives.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROGEN
PEROXIDE EXPLOSIVES
As one reads through historical summaries and patents it
appears that early research into hydrogen peroxide explo-
sives was largely aimed at identifying an alternative explo-
sive composition that could be filled into cartridges like
nitro-glycerine (NG) dynamites.
In Austria Patent AT88946B (filed 1915, granted
1922), Max Bamberger and Josef Ing Nussbaum, describe
a low sensitivity, starch stabilized emulsion of hydrogen
peroxide and mixture of combustible fuels suitable for car-
tridges. In 1927, Bamberger and Nussbaum published “On
Hydrogen Peroxide Explosives” in a German journal and
described explosives made with high strength hydrogen
peroxide (89% concentration), cotton, and Vaseline.
In 1946, Arthur W. Baker assignor to American
Cyanamide Company filed a patent for several hydrogen
peroxide and fuel-based No. 6 blasting cap sensitive explo-
sive compositions. Many of the combustible fuels were
the same as those used to manufacture dynamites includ-
ing wood products (pulp, sawdust, meal), pits and shells
(nutshells, corn cobs), and gelling agents (various grain and
vegetable flours, agar-agar). Additional modifiers under
the same patent included pulverized metals (paint grade
aluminium), ammonium and sodium nitrate, and a brief
description of chemicals to stabilize hydrogen peroxide.
The patent was issued in 1962.
In 1947, Edward S. Shanley and Hans O. Kauffmann
assignors to Buffalo Electro-Chemical (BECCO) filed a
patent for (hydrogen) Peroxide-Glycerol Explosive. The
patent describes single phase liquid explosive composed
simply of hydrogen peroxide, glycerine, and water. As com-
pared to hydrogen peroxide and alcohol compositions, the
hydrogen peroxide and glycerine composition was relatively
non-reactive. The patent claimed the hydrogen peroxide
and glycerine explosive compositions to be bullet insensi-
tive (.22 cal) and yet No. 6 blasting cap sensitive. The pat-
ent interestingly notes stoichiometric quantity balancing of
hydrogen peroxide and glycerine to achieve complete com-
bustion to carbon dioxide and water.
Available literature did not reveal any of these early
hydrogen peroxide explosive compositions reaching com-
mercial production or application as a replacement to NG
packaged explosives. As with many commercial explo-
sive developments, important history is likely lost to dis-
carded internal company files and external promotional
publications.
DRIVERS BEHIND RENEWED INTEREST
IN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE EXPLOSIVES
From the late 1950s through the mid-1980s, the use and
manufacture of nitro-glycerine packaged explosives incre-
mentally diminished with the successive implementations
of packaged and bulk ANFO, water-gels, and emulsions.
Through this period, ammonium nitrate became the pri-
mary ingredient for commercial explosives on a global basis,
and the potential for hydrogen peroxide as a base ingredient
in commercial explosives essentially went into dormancy.
Today, particulate ammonium nitrate (PPAN, HDAN,
PGAN) and emulsions made primarily with ammonia
nitrate plus other nitrate salts (CN, SN) constitute most
of the commercial explosives consumed on a global basis.
From the early 2000s through to today, there has been
an increasing consumer interest and demand for an alter-
native to ammonium nitrate based commercial explosives.
There are four key drivers behind this including:
1. Elimination of NOx fume,
2. AN cost and security of supply,
3. Aqueous nitrate and ammonia discharge,
4. Reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) and
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity.
Each of the above initially manifested as a singular
driver, moved to form combinations, and are now all inter-
acting towards arriving at a holistic solution.
NOx Fume
The generation of post blast nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
nitric oxide (NO) fumes, collectively referred to as NOx,
has long been associated with the application of ammonium
nitrate-based explosives. NOx fumes are toxic and pose a
substantial long term health hazard even when exposures
are at very low levels. Nitric oxide is immediately lethal at
100 ppm and nitrogen dioxide is lethal at 20 ppm.
EU regulations have substantially reduced permissible
NOx gas exposure levels based on new studies demon-
strating long-term health effects on operators in the drill
and blast industry. These revised regulations have signifi-
cant implications for ventilation requirements and cycle
of stable hydrogen peroxide emulsion explosives that effec-
tively replace nitrates in the oxidizer phase.
In 2020, Hypex Bio Explosives Technology launched
the world’s first commercially available hydrogen peroxide
emulsion (Hypex B01). Two years later, a refined version of
hydrogen peroxide emulsion was introduced (Hypex B02).
Hypex Bio’s hydrogen peroxide emulsions are emerging as a
transformative explosive technology that hold the promise
of superseding nitrate-based explosives.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF HYDROGEN
PEROXIDE EXPLOSIVES
As one reads through historical summaries and patents it
appears that early research into hydrogen peroxide explo-
sives was largely aimed at identifying an alternative explo-
sive composition that could be filled into cartridges like
nitro-glycerine (NG) dynamites.
In Austria Patent AT88946B (filed 1915, granted
1922), Max Bamberger and Josef Ing Nussbaum, describe
a low sensitivity, starch stabilized emulsion of hydrogen
peroxide and mixture of combustible fuels suitable for car-
tridges. In 1927, Bamberger and Nussbaum published “On
Hydrogen Peroxide Explosives” in a German journal and
described explosives made with high strength hydrogen
peroxide (89% concentration), cotton, and Vaseline.
In 1946, Arthur W. Baker assignor to American
Cyanamide Company filed a patent for several hydrogen
peroxide and fuel-based No. 6 blasting cap sensitive explo-
sive compositions. Many of the combustible fuels were
the same as those used to manufacture dynamites includ-
ing wood products (pulp, sawdust, meal), pits and shells
(nutshells, corn cobs), and gelling agents (various grain and
vegetable flours, agar-agar). Additional modifiers under
the same patent included pulverized metals (paint grade
aluminium), ammonium and sodium nitrate, and a brief
description of chemicals to stabilize hydrogen peroxide.
The patent was issued in 1962.
In 1947, Edward S. Shanley and Hans O. Kauffmann
assignors to Buffalo Electro-Chemical (BECCO) filed a
patent for (hydrogen) Peroxide-Glycerol Explosive. The
patent describes single phase liquid explosive composed
simply of hydrogen peroxide, glycerine, and water. As com-
pared to hydrogen peroxide and alcohol compositions, the
hydrogen peroxide and glycerine composition was relatively
non-reactive. The patent claimed the hydrogen peroxide
and glycerine explosive compositions to be bullet insensi-
tive (.22 cal) and yet No. 6 blasting cap sensitive. The pat-
ent interestingly notes stoichiometric quantity balancing of
hydrogen peroxide and glycerine to achieve complete com-
bustion to carbon dioxide and water.
Available literature did not reveal any of these early
hydrogen peroxide explosive compositions reaching com-
mercial production or application as a replacement to NG
packaged explosives. As with many commercial explo-
sive developments, important history is likely lost to dis-
carded internal company files and external promotional
publications.
DRIVERS BEHIND RENEWED INTEREST
IN HYDROGEN PEROXIDE EXPLOSIVES
From the late 1950s through the mid-1980s, the use and
manufacture of nitro-glycerine packaged explosives incre-
mentally diminished with the successive implementations
of packaged and bulk ANFO, water-gels, and emulsions.
Through this period, ammonium nitrate became the pri-
mary ingredient for commercial explosives on a global basis,
and the potential for hydrogen peroxide as a base ingredient
in commercial explosives essentially went into dormancy.
Today, particulate ammonium nitrate (PPAN, HDAN,
PGAN) and emulsions made primarily with ammonia
nitrate plus other nitrate salts (CN, SN) constitute most
of the commercial explosives consumed on a global basis.
From the early 2000s through to today, there has been
an increasing consumer interest and demand for an alter-
native to ammonium nitrate based commercial explosives.
There are four key drivers behind this including:
1. Elimination of NOx fume,
2. AN cost and security of supply,
3. Aqueous nitrate and ammonia discharge,
4. Reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) and
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) intensity.
Each of the above initially manifested as a singular
driver, moved to form combinations, and are now all inter-
acting towards arriving at a holistic solution.
NOx Fume
The generation of post blast nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and
nitric oxide (NO) fumes, collectively referred to as NOx,
has long been associated with the application of ammonium
nitrate-based explosives. NOx fumes are toxic and pose a
substantial long term health hazard even when exposures
are at very low levels. Nitric oxide is immediately lethal at
100 ppm and nitrogen dioxide is lethal at 20 ppm.
EU regulations have substantially reduced permissible
NOx gas exposure levels based on new studies demon-
strating long-term health effects on operators in the drill
and blast industry. These revised regulations have signifi-
cant implications for ventilation requirements and cycle