METHOD OF CRUSHING AND/OR REDUCTION OF STRENGTH OF MATERIAL USING HIGH-VOLTAGE DISCHARGES Russian patent published in 2015 - IPC B02C19/18 

FIELD: mining.

SUBSTANCE: working space (2) between two electrodes located one against another with the gap (3, 4) is filled with the material (1) and the process liquid (5). In the working space the material (1) is crushed or its strength is reduced by creation of high-voltage discharges between the electrodes (3, 4). During crushing from space the first process liquid is removed and the second process liquid with smaller conductivity is supplied. The supply of liquid into the working space and/or the liquid conditioning mode is regulated by measurements of electric conductance of the first and second liquids and/or discharge resistance of electrodes. Before crushing or strength reduction the material is washed out by the second liquid. The material is supplied into the working space and is taken away continuously or periodically. A part of the taken-away material is supplied again after washing by the second liquid. Depending on conductivity of flushing liquid its supply and/or the mode of conditioning are regulated. The electrode contains the isolating housing (8) with the central conductor (14). The working end of the conductor protrudes along the axis from the housing and is implemented with the tip (15) and the loading holes (6). The holes are connected with the supply channels (7) for receiving water from the remote non-working end of the electrode. The additional detail encloses the electrode housing and is independent or together with it forms the face ring slot (10) for water supply from the remote non-working end of the electrode. The unit contains the process vessel and the high-voltage pulse generator.

EFFECT: group of inventions improves ability to crushing of strong and fragile materials.

51 cl, 11 dwg