Modeling of plasma path and analysis of fracture characteristics under rock-liquid combination

High-voltage pulsed discharge technology for rock fragmentation (HPDF) finds extensive applications in resource recovery and energy extraction due to its high efficiency and low energy consumption. However, observing the plasma development during rock fragmentation by high-voltage pulse (RFHP) and predicting plasma path, especially in the presence of frequency-dependent dielectric polarization, pose significant challenges. In this study, we establish a segmented breakdown criterion and propose a predictive method for the plasma development process in a combined rock-liquid environment. Employing a transient electromagnetic field framework and a particle flow model (PFM), we develop a multi-physics field model (MPFM) to quantify the plasma development. Simulating the axial fracturing process of rock based on the spatial distribution of plasma, we quantify the variation in crack and debris size. Furthermore, experiments are conducted on a dedicated platform, and three-dimensional reconstruction results are used to analyze errors in plasma path prediction and fracturing property analysis. This research significantly contributes to advancing the understanding of plasma development theory and serves as a foundation for optimizing rock fragmentation efficiency.