An electric pulse fragmentation device (12) and method are provided, the device comprising a
pulse transformer (26), one or more buffer capacitors (22), a plurality of IGBT modules (20), a storage
capacitor (24), a
spark gap (28), and a fragmentation chamber (32), the
spark gap (28) being defined by
spark gap first and second electrodes (15, 14), the fragmentation chamber (32) comprising fragmentation chamber (32) first and second electrodes (2,1). The buffer capacitors (22) are electrically connected to a
voltage rectifier (48). The buffer capacitors (22) are charged by
electrical current received from the
voltage rectifier (48). The IGBT modules (20) control
partial discharge of the buffer capacitors (22) to permit and
restrict current flow from the buffer
capacitor (22) to
transformer primary windings (19) for a duration of a control pulse (49). The storage
capacitor (24) is charged by
electrical current from
transformer secondary windings (43). The storage capacitor (24) is adapted to
discharge current across the spark gap (28) to the fragmentation chamber (32) electrodes (2,1).
Raw material (5) positioned between fragmentation electrodes (2,1) can be fractured.