GPregress - The Computer Model

GPregress : A Computer Model that determines “Sensitivity and Strength” of Commercial Explosives by keeping “Cost in view”

Dr Manoj K Patel and Gayatri Patel

In this present competitive market, explosives manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to establish “cost competitive strong formulations” for explosives for rock breaking. Ever-increasing costs of input materials, manpower, and types of machinery are forcing most of the manufacturers to go for cost-competitive formulations but at the same time, a formulation can become cost competitive only when cost-cutting is done in some areas or other in the internal business process. At the same time, it is also imperative to keep the quality unchanged, if not better. So, the trick is to know where to hammer the nail.

       For example, one has to improve the sensitivity of cap-sensitive explosives. The conventional practice is to make a few laboratory batches, test-fir those at different gel temperatures, compile the collected data and then make a statistical analysis, and then only implement the result. This is obviously time-consuming and needs a set of infrastructures like a Laboratory, Testing Site, and Skilled manpower. Now consider the same objective for permitted explosives. In this case, the need is to – improve the sensitivity of the explosives with such a balance that they will be more sensitive and at the same time should be very safe to use it in the gassy underground mines. So, here the challenge is two-fold, more sensitivity and at the same time low ignition temperature. So, on one hand – improved sensitivity and on the other hand – safety in the mines should not get compromised. So, as the number of independent parameters goes on increasing, the paths to achieve the objects become more and more difficult.

       We have considered these “vital few” independent parameters, like, performance, safety, cost, and quality; and have developed a Simulation Model using Javascript. This Model is named as GPregress and the use of this Model will help (explosives) manufacturers and decision-makers alike to take the right decisions without carrying out a number of hits and trials methods and or field trials.

The advantages of using this GPregress Model are:

1.         Explosives Testing Laboratory is not required,

2.         Explosives handling is not required,

3.         Results can be verified with any experimental methods,

4.         Computer Model is very much cost-competitive.