Design of the Electrode System of the Working Channel of the Electric Pulse Installation for Producing Water-Coal Fuel Raw Materials

Abstract

The article discusses the application of the electric pulse method of coal grinding for obtaining raw materials for water-coal fuel. It is noted that the combustion efficiency of water-coal fuel is largely determined by its granulometric composition, which is traditionally formed using mechanical mills. Despite their widespread use, such systems are characterized by high energy consumption, intensive wear of working parts, and signif icant operational costs. Therefore, the use of electric pulse discharges as an alternative method of coal disin tegration is of particular interest. The study analyses the physical principles of electric pulse grinding, which is based on the impact of short-term high-voltage discharges that cause local micro-explosions, shock waves, and destruction of the material’s structure. Special attention is given to the electrode system of the electric pulse installation operating in a heterogeneous “water-coal” environment, including the selection of materials, electrode geometry, and discharge parameters. The design and operating principle of the experimental electric pulse installation are described. The aim of the study is to justify and develop an effective electrode system for the working channel of the electric pulse installation for obtaining water-coal fuel raw materials with min imal energy consumption and increased equipment reliability. It has been established that using the inner sur face of the working channel as the negative electrode increases the yield of the finished product with a pow der diameter ranging from D < 0.04 mm to D < 0.2 mm. Additionally, there is a decrease in the size of the coal powder with a diameter of 0.4 mm < D < 0.7 mm. The obtained results allowed us to choose the optimal variant of the electrode system in the working channel during the grinding of raw materials using the electric pulse method