| ELECTROLYTIC GROUNDING SYSTEM THEORY OF OPERATION |
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ELECTROLYTIC GROUNDING SYSTEM (EGS) works on the principle that air is
moved through the holes in the top of the copper tube due to changes in
atmospheric pressure. As the air moves through the holes the moisture is drawn
from the air by the metallic salts and the variation in the temperature of the copper
tube and the air. This moisture flows down through the salts to the bottom of the
copper tube.
As the moisture flows down through the metallic salts it dissolves small amounts of
the metallic salts creating an electrolytic solution that accumulates at the bottom of
the copper tube. When the bottom of the copper tube fills up with the electrolytic
solution it flows out the drainage holes at the bottom of the copper tube into the
surrounding earth. This flow of solution draws more air into the top of the copper
tube by changing the atmospheric pressure in the copper tube.
The leaching of the electrolytic solution into the surrounding earth creates fingers of
electrical conduction that reduces the impedance between the copper tube and the
surrounding earth.
BENTONITE
The backfill material provided with the ELECTROLYTIC GROUNDING SYSTEM
(EGS) is BENTONITE. BENTONITE is a natural earth clay that was formed by
volcanic action and is composed of a hydrous aluminum silicate. This is a
non-corrosive material that protects the copper tube verses the practice of placing
salt in the backfill material which creates a corrosive environment.
Some of the qualities of this backfill material are its ease of compaction,
non-corrosiveness and its conductivity. When water is added, it can absorb up to 13
times its dry volume. It is recommended that it be mixed with water to form a paste (4
to 6 times its dry volume) that is poured down and around the copper tube. This
consistency will hold its shape and adhere to the walls of the copper tube and the
walls of the drilled hole. This will eliminate the need for compaction and will provide a
positive contact between the earth and the copper tube.
BENTONITE's ability to absorb moisture helps it maintain its density and direct
contact between the earth and the copper tube. There is always moisture in the
surrounding earth no matter how dry it may appear on the surface. If the
BENTONITE does become exposed to the sun it will begin to dry on the exposed
surface and seal off any further moisture loses. Therefore the BENTONITE will
never totally dry out.
The resistivity of BENTONITE is 2.5 ohms-M at 300% moisture content {100 x
(weight of water/weight of BENTONITE)}. A strong electrolyte with a pH of 8 to 10 is
formed when the water and the BENTONITE are mixed together. This electrolyte
stays in the BENTONITE, not leaching out, therefore not requiring any recharging as
would be required if a bed of salt were used instead.
Typically one 50 lb. bag of BENTONITE yields approximately 17 gallons of paste
consistency slurry. One cubic foot of slurry paste will require mixing water with 22
lbs. of BENTONITE. A 50 lb. bag of BENTONITE will backfill approximately 12 ft.
deep hole, 6 inches in diameter.
moved through the holes in the top of the copper tube due to changes in
atmospheric pressure. As the air moves through the holes the moisture is drawn
from the air by the metallic salts and the variation in the temperature of the copper
tube and the air. This moisture flows down through the salts to the bottom of the
copper tube.
As the moisture flows down through the metallic salts it dissolves small amounts of
the metallic salts creating an electrolytic solution that accumulates at the bottom of
the copper tube. When the bottom of the copper tube fills up with the electrolytic
solution it flows out the drainage holes at the bottom of the copper tube into the
surrounding earth. This flow of solution draws more air into the top of the copper
tube by changing the atmospheric pressure in the copper tube.
The leaching of the electrolytic solution into the surrounding earth creates fingers of
electrical conduction that reduces the impedance between the copper tube and the
surrounding earth.
BENTONITE
The backfill material provided with the ELECTROLYTIC GROUNDING SYSTEM
(EGS) is BENTONITE. BENTONITE is a natural earth clay that was formed by
volcanic action and is composed of a hydrous aluminum silicate. This is a
non-corrosive material that protects the copper tube verses the practice of placing
salt in the backfill material which creates a corrosive environment.
Some of the qualities of this backfill material are its ease of compaction,
non-corrosiveness and its conductivity. When water is added, it can absorb up to 13
times its dry volume. It is recommended that it be mixed with water to form a paste (4
to 6 times its dry volume) that is poured down and around the copper tube. This
consistency will hold its shape and adhere to the walls of the copper tube and the
walls of the drilled hole. This will eliminate the need for compaction and will provide a
positive contact between the earth and the copper tube.
BENTONITE's ability to absorb moisture helps it maintain its density and direct
contact between the earth and the copper tube. There is always moisture in the
surrounding earth no matter how dry it may appear on the surface. If the
BENTONITE does become exposed to the sun it will begin to dry on the exposed
surface and seal off any further moisture loses. Therefore the BENTONITE will
never totally dry out.
The resistivity of BENTONITE is 2.5 ohms-M at 300% moisture content {100 x
(weight of water/weight of BENTONITE)}. A strong electrolyte with a pH of 8 to 10 is
formed when the water and the BENTONITE are mixed together. This electrolyte
stays in the BENTONITE, not leaching out, therefore not requiring any recharging as
would be required if a bed of salt were used instead.
Typically one 50 lb. bag of BENTONITE yields approximately 17 gallons of paste
consistency slurry. One cubic foot of slurry paste will require mixing water with 22
lbs. of BENTONITE. A 50 lb. bag of BENTONITE will backfill approximately 12 ft.
deep hole, 6 inches in diameter.