Some Remarks on the Safety of Methane Penthrite Detonating Cords against the Inflammability of a Methane-Air Mixture

After analysing literature data some topics related to the properties and testing methods of detonating cords (DCs) are presented. The main attention is paid to the 2,2-bis[(nitrooxy)methyl]propane-1,3-diyl dinitrate (penthrite, PETN)-based DCs. In a case study of methane PETN DC, it is shown that the problem of DCs being able to fulfil safety precautions as permitted explosives is very complex, i.e. to determine their ability to ignite a methane-air atmosphere in coal mines.The tests have shown that the relationships between safety and the performance properties of methane PETN DC are not obvious. For example, an increase in the outer thickness coating of this methane PETN DC, causes the inflammability of a methane-air mixture to be decreased. Moreover, an increase in the amount of crystalline PETN in the cord's core caused an increase in its velocity of detonation, but had no impact on its ability to ignite a methane-air mixture in the experimental gallery.