MREL MicroTrap - 2.4 Applications Of MicroTrap with Scope Upgrade Installed

MicroTrap™ Operations Manual - Edition 4.4
8
2.3.2 Testing of Explosives in Blastholes
• Measure the continuous VOD in any hole diameter, wet or dry holes, and in any type of rock.
• Measure the continuous VOD in multiple holes per blast.
• Determine whether full detonation, low order detonation or failure occurred, and where in the explosive column it happened.
• Check VODs against manufacturers’ specifications in full scale blasting environments.
• Determine the minimum booster size for any explosive by measuring run-up velocities in full scale blasting environments.
• Measure the timing accuracy of detonators in full scale blasting environments.
• Measure the effects of water, drill cuttings, and rocks, etc. trapped within the explosive mass.
• Determine the length of explosive column to use in decking operations to evaluate the effect of stemming and drill cutting dilution,
water pick-up, etc. on the explosive run-up requirements.
• Determine the correct length and type of stemming material to be used between decks of explosives to prevent sympathetic
detonation or explosive desensitization from occurring.
2.4 Applications Of MicroTrap™ with Scope
Upgrade Installed
As previously mentioned, with the Scope Upgrade, the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder has the ability to function as a digital
oscilloscope recording device to record DC voltage signals from a wide variety of commercially available sensors. DC voltage and VOD
can be recorded simultaneously. Typical applications of the MicroTrap™ VOD/Data Recorder when used as a data recorder include
(external power sources may be required):
• Measurement of detonation pressure using calibrated PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) gauges.
• Measurement of air blast over-pressures using commercially available air blast pressure transducers.
• Measurement of cross-blasthole pressures using carbon composition resistors and/or commercially available tourmaline gauges.
• Measurement of blasting vibrations using geophones or accelerometer transducers.
• Measurement of temperature using thermocouples.
• Measurement of any phenomena that can be instrumented with gauges producing DC voltage signals in the range from
-10 to +10 volts.