An explosive (or explosive material) is a reactive substance that contains a great amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production of light, heat, sound, and pressure. An explosive charge is a measured quantity of explosive material, which may either be composed solely of one ingredient or be a mixture containing at least two substances.

The potential energy stored in an explosive material may, for example

>> chemical energy, such as nitroglycerin or grain dust.
>> pressurized gas, such as a gas cylinder or aerosol can.
>> nuclear energy, such as in the fissile isotopes uranium-235 and plutonium-239.

An apparatus for the mixing of explosive materials comprises a reservoir of pre-mixed explosive material, a reservoir of hardener material, a static mixer means, each of the reservoirs having separate pipe means for conveying the pre-cure explosive material and hardener material respectively to a static mixer means. An apparatus is used for the mixing of explosive materials, wherein the required materials are combined substantially at the inlet of a static mixer. The pre-mix explosive material and hardener material are conveyed through their respective separate pipe works, both materials are being introduced individually to the inlet of the static mixer for the combined explosive material within the mixing bowl.

Hindu Engineer’s manufactured high shear mixers facilitate such static mixing. These mixers typically comprise a plurality of blade means arranged in a ‘corkscrew’ type manner which promotes the effective mixing together of two or more materials when forced through the mixer. Additionally, the use of a static mixing means provides for simplified cleaning of the apparatus following the completion of an ordnance filling run, thereby further reducing the inherent complexity and time required for purging and cleaning using state of the art apparatus. This apparatus is connected to means for effecting the filling of ordnance components with said combined final explosive material. This is controlled such that the respective pre-mix explosive material and hardener materials are introduced to the static mixer means on-demand, the demand-controlled by an automated ordnance fill level control means. The level control means comprises at least one fiber optic sensor.

The output from said static mixer is connected to apparatus for the filling of ordnance with explosive materials.