New simulation model could unlock cheaper way to mine hard rock
Researchers have developed the first computer model that accurately simulates how high-voltage electrical pulses fracture rock, combining electrical and mechanical physics. The breakthrough could reduce mining costs and energy consumption for extracting minerals from hard rock deposits, areas where conventional drilling remains expensive and inefficient.
Originaltitel: Coupled numerical modelling of high-voltage electric pulse (HVEP) rock fracturing using COMSOL and 4D-LSM
Högspänningspulser kan fragmentera berg mer energieffektivt än sprängämnen, men de elektriska och mekaniska processerna är svåra att mäta experimentellt. En kopplad simuleringsmodell kombinerar COMSOL:s elektricitetslösare med en fyrdimensionell gitterfjädermodell för att kartlägga hur plasmakan värmer och spricker berget i en integrerad analys. Forskare från Tianjin University och Central South University validerade modellen och undersökte hur omslutande tryck och mineralkornstorlek påverkar fragmenteringen. Simuleringarna över 25 elektriska parameterkonstellationer visar att elektrodavståndet är avgörande för energioptimal fragmentering. För gruv- och mineralföretag öppnar detta ett designverktyg för effektivare bergbrytningsmaskiner i djup gruvor — en operationell fördel när energikostnader stiger. Luleå tekniska universitet deltog i arbetet, vilket stärker svensk kompetens inom bergmekanik och elektropuls-teknologi för utvinning.
<p>High-voltage electric pulse (HVEP) rock fragmentation has demonstrated substantial potential for sustainable fracturing of hard rocks owing to its energy efficiency. The transient nature and highly disruptive characteristics of its physical fracturing process render experimental investigation of the underlying rock-breaking mechanisms challenging. However, existing numerical studies lack comprehensive models that precisely link electrical breakdown phenomena with mechanical disintegration processes. This study combines COMSOL electrical breakdown simulations with four-dimension lattice spring model (4D-LSM) mechanical analysis to establish a coupled HVEP rock fragmentation model. The core concept of the model construction is to import the temperature field of the plasma channel obtained from the electrical breakdown into the mechanical solver to realize the precise connection between the two stages. The validated numerical model elucidates the full process of HVEP-induced fragmentation under varying electrical parameters. Furthermore, the effects of confining pressure and mineral grain size on fragmentation behavior have been investigated. Finally, parametric simulations across 25 electrical parameter combinations demonstrate the critical role of electrode spacing optimization in achieving energy-efficient rock fragmentation. These findings provide a predictive tool for designing efficient HVEP systems in deep resource extraction and mineral processing engineering.</p>