The object of the research is the electric-pulse method of materials destruction. The aim of the work is to establish the mechanism of destruction of heterogeneous materials, to choose the energy parameters of pulses, which ensure minimum energy consumption for the process of destruction of kimberlites and maximum safety of isolated diamonds, to develop and create a pilot plant for the process. The conditions of discharge formation in the kimberlite-water system were found. DIK-1M unit was modernized and assembled. Pulse amplitude, interelectrode gap were taken as variable parameters, condensate battery capacity as constant ones. Optimal pulse parameters were selected. Intact diamond crystals were isolated. The results were analyzed.
Fracture by the electric pulse method occurs as a result of formation of the discharge channel until it touches the opposite electrode, release of capacitor battery energy with increasing temperature (up to 2·10 4 K) and pressure (up to 10 9 Pa), initiating the growth of main fracture cracks. Investigations of the fracture process and experimental verification were carried out on different types of ores and artificial materials and confirmed the effect of selectivity of the process, which distinguishes this method from the traditional ones. The rational area of application of the method (fine crushing of raw materials with the coarseness of 100-60 mm and above) and the nature of damage to crystals were established. The method provides preservation of diamonds, which testifies to the prospects of its application.
