How is Nonel tubing and trunkline designed to be initiated?

• A. By a low-strength detonator
• B. By a High Strength detonator
• C. By a regular blasting cap
• D. By a shock tube only

Answer: (B)

Nonel tubing and trunklines are specifically designed to be initiated by a high-strength detonator. High-strength detonators provide the necessary energy to effectively initiate Nonel systems, which operate on the principle of generating a shock wave that travels through the tubing. This system is favored in mining operations because it minimizes the risk of accidental detonation due to static electricity or other inadvertent sources of initiation.

Using high-strength detonators ensures that the initiation process is reliable and consistent, which is essential given the complexity and safety requirements of mining operations. They produce a stronger and more controlled signal necessary to propagate the shock wave through the Nonel tubing effectively, ensuring proper detonation of the explosives.

Other initiation methods like low-strength detonators, regular blasting caps, or shock tubes are not appropriate for Nonel systems as they do not provide the required energy or control for this specific type of initiation. Low-strength detonators may not generate enough shock to initiate the system reliably, whereas regular blasting caps are designed for use in more conventional applications. Shock tubes alone, while an option for certain other systems, do not provide the high strength necessary for the safe and effective initiation of Nonel, which relies on the proper delivery of energy through its tubing network.