The Electric Discharge Impulse Crushing System (EDICS) is a non-explosive technology developed by Hitachi Zosen Corporation, designed for construction event such as Splitting concrete, rock and, etc. The EDICS is composed of an electric discharge generator which supplies large current pulse of high voltage, a cartridge to generate impulse power by electric discharge energy, and cables to connect the electric discharge generator and the cartridge. The cartridge encloses the thin metallic wire which evaporates by the electric discharge energy, and the self-reactive liquid that reacts by this evaporated thin metallic wire. The cartridge can generate high pressure at giga pascal (GPa) level within the time of several hundred μs, which the crushing power would become equivalent to the explosives. The EDICS will be an effective tool at the construction site where explosives may not be used under certain laws and regulations, or at the site where heavy construction equipment is difficult to use. In recent years, this system have achieved good performance and results in Japan.
In this report, we introduce the configuration of the EDICS, mechanism of generating high pressure, its performance, and results of splitting concrete and rocks with the EDICS.