Dynamic fragmentation of rock by high-voltage pulses

The purpose of this study is to develop a high-precision disintegration technology for extracting industrial minerals from rock matrices by applying high-voltage electrical pulses. The electrical disintegration of rock through application of high voltage electrical pulse is one of the effective liberation techniques for producing the high percentage of the monomineral particles in disintegration of mineral aggregates. Circular rock samples of three different types were fractured by applying electric pulses. The microstructure and fractures of the test samples were visualized and analyzed by using microfocus X-ray computed tomography (CT) system. The fracture patterns were simulated by using the dynamic fracture process analysis code and the fragmentation process resulting from electrical pulses were discussed. The influence of rock heterogeneity and sample size effect on the dynamic fragmentation was also discussed.