The plasma path development model (PPDM) in rocks during rock breaking by high-voltage pulse discharge

High-voltage pulse discharge rock-breaking technology (high-voltage pulse discharge rock-breaking technology, HPDT) is widely used in the energy mining industry. In HPDT, in order to analyze the path distribution characteristics of plasma, based on the homogeneous dielectric breakdown theory, the segmental breakdown criterion for the plasma path is proposed. The plasma path development model (plasma path development model, PPDM) is established with the help of the discrete element method, finite element method, and numerical calculation method. For a typical granite-liquid combination, the development process and distribution characteristics of the plasma path inside the rock are calculated for different distances between electrodes. The results show that the fracture of rock is the result of air gap breakdown. Finally, the accuracy of the model is analyzed and the method to reduce the error is given. This work lays a foundation for quantifying the crushing efficiency of HPDT and improving its application range.