An experimental study for development of a novel grounding material to synthesize an environment friendly backfill material

Abstract

A novel earthing backfill compound was synthesized with outstanding compactable and water retention properties. Bentonite is very well known and word-wide acceptable clay which can be used to make the better interface between the soil and electrode, and hence total soil resistivity can be reduced. The resistivity of bentonite is highly moisture dependent which makes the clay insignificant in dry areas or the areas where resistivity of the soil is very high as per the literature and our experimental analysis. The issues associated with only clay could be solved with the addition of carbon particles in the clay, although that could not solve the issue of leachability completely. Therefore, an environment friendly chemical polymer entitled ‘link-X’ was added in the mix in order to maintain a reservoir in the soil along with the conductive components. The link-X can be used to make only carbon-based as well as bentonite-based earth enhancement compound. This could not only solve the problem associated with moisture but also could enable us to develop an environment friendly solution to retain the moisture for a long time.