Pulsed electric breakdown and destruction of granite

There are various methods of rock drilling and demolition. Recently, a meth od utilizing pulsed power technology has appeared. This method is based on the difference of the dynamic breakdown field strength of Liquid and solid dielectrics. The applicability of this method was examined using a very har d rock-granite. The features of the rock destruction have been studied. The X-ray computer tomography was used to confirm the penetration of the elect rical discharge into the rock. Well-resolved marks of the electric discharg e channel could be observed using this technique. Destruction effectiveness was examined for various experimental conditions. The volume of the rock d estroyed in a shot and the energy consumption in the destruction process ar e dependent on the generator voltage. The distance between electrodes has t he optimum value for a given voltage.