New standards in the future of blasting technology
The nitrate-free explosive Hypex Bio was developed for use in civil underground and surface mining as well as for rock blasting in the construction industry. As hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen, Hypex Bio does not cause any contamination problems comparable to conventional explosives. This also reduces the burden on companies responsible for rock blasting, allowing them to reduce their traditionally high investments in water treatment plants, dam infrastructure and stringent environmental measures.
As a pioneer among commercially available nitrate-free emulsion explosives, Hypex Bio has the potential to revolutionize the civil explosives market. It facilitates the fulfillment of environmental and sustainability goals and protects those who are at the forefront of all our work: people.
Implenia Sweden relies on nitrate-free explosives
As one of Sweden's largest tunnel construction companies, we are clearing the way - underground, but also for a sustainable future. It is therefore with great pleasure that Implenia Sweden, together with Hypex Bio, is taking the challenging step towards nitrate-free explosives. In doing so, we hope to continue paving the way for a construction industry that operates in harmony with people and nature.
More efficient and environmentally friendly thanks to HPE technology
Hypex Bio relies on HPE technology (Hydrogen Peroxide Explosive), which uses hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, thereby reducing the burden in several respects:
- The explosive gases contain no nitrogen. This means that the air quality and visibility in the tunnel are significantly less impaired than with conventional explosives.
- The ventilation time is greatly reduced. This means that work can be resumed quickly.
- The biodegradable hydrogen peroxide leaves no environmentally harmful residues. This makes blasting work more environmentally friendly.
Significant reduction of nitrogen in the water
The use of HPE technology reduces the nitrogen content in the wastewater pumped out of the tunnel many times over. This makes the otherwise complex water treatment process much easier. The findings from the HPE pilot project "Farstagrenen " pilot project, in which Implenia is testing Hypex Bio for the first time, are promising: traditional nitrate-containing emulsion explosives and the new nitrate-free explosive were still used in parallel - despite this, the nitrogen load in the water was reduced by 70 to 80 percent. This result allows a hopeful look into the future and the environmental relief that the construction industry could achieve through the use of the innovative explosive.
The Farstagrenen pilot project with Hypex Bio
Farstagrenen - is the name of a construction project to connect tracks in Stockholm. Implenia Sweden has thus succeeded in creating new paths in several respects: Farstagrenen is also the pilot project for the use of the nitrate-free explosive Hypex Bio.
Soon, a double-track tunnel with a length of around 2000 meters, including a 450-meter-long stabling area for trains, will wind its way through the earth beneath the streets of Stockholm. Implenia is building the connecting tunnel to the extended Högdalen subway depot in Stockholm.
Construction is being carried out using drill and blast - a method that is particularly environmentally friendly and efficient thanks to Hypex Bio: Implenia is working with the Swedish company of the same name to test the use of the nitrate-free explosive on one of its construction sites for the first time. The parties involved are expecting significantly reduced wastewater pollution and lowerCO2 emissions, a better working environment in the tunnel and therefore faster progress - all with the same efficient results.
Initial findings on nitrate-free explosives
The first findings from the pilot project Farstagrenen pilot project regarding the use of the nitrate-free explosive Hypex Bio are promising: greatly improved air and wastewater quality meets reducedCO2 emissions and a safer working environment for our employees.
The work results are also impressive: The effectiveness of the biodegradable explosive is in no way inferior to that of conventional nitrate-based explosives - on the contrary: the reduced aeration times allow for a more speedy and efficient approach.
Implenia is continuing to monitor and analyze the HPE technology. According to the results of the pilot project, however, Hypex Bio can already be celebrated as a significant innovation for an environmentally friendly and sustainable construction industry.
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