Drilling and demolition of rocks by pulsed power

There are various methods of rock drilling and demolition. Recently, a method 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. The features of the rock destruction have been studied. The mechanism explaining the breakdown of the dielectrics with high intrinsic inhomogeneity like natural rocks and concrete is proposed and proved experimentally. An inductive energy storage-opening switch system for the destruction of solid materials is designed allowing higher destruction efficiency. The experimental results using advanced diagnostics such as an image converter camera and X-ray computer tomography of samples are presented. High pulse energy experiments (up to 60 kT in pulse) have been conducted.