Case study: Clariant custom-developed emulsifiers

摘要

Operating in one of the most competitive markets in the world, an Indonesian explosives manufacturer serving the mining industry recently switched to using a low-grade AN bulk explosive for its blasting programme as part of a cost-reduction initiative. Immediately following the change, the company experienced significant crystallisation with its emulsifier, which led to poor blast performance, and it switched back to the competitive emulsifier it had been using previously. However, the company still experienced crystallisation issues and inconsistent blast performance, partially due to a reaction between the competitive emulsifier and the sodium naphthalene sulphonate crystal modifier/anti-caking agent used.