Investigation of Electrical Resistivity and Conductivity of a Geological Material (Clay) in Some Parts of Ilorin West Local Government, Kwara State

Abstract

The cost and availability of electrical components have been a major challenge to Nigerian scientists and engineers. Thus, this study aimed at investigating geological material (clay) to alleviate the challenge facing the field of science and engineering. The study determined the electrical resistivity and conductivity of a geological material from three different locations in Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State: Egbejila, Oko-Erin and Baboko. The samples were sieved, molded into cylindrical form and dried. Thereafter, their electrical properties were determined using electrical method. The resistance of the samples was determined from the voltage-current (V-I) graph. Consequently, the resistivity was determined by using sample’s resistance, area and length. The conductivity was calculated from the reciprocal of resistivity. The electrical resistivity and conductivity of the samples from Egbejila, Oko-Erin and Baboko were 0.0850 m and 11.7647 (m)-1, 0.0924 m and 10.822 (m)-1, and 0.0251m and 39.841 (m)-1respectively. The result obtained from the study showed that the geological material (clay) can be used as alternative material for industrial (based) resistor, the study further reduced the stress, cost, and non-availability of resistors’ importation and thereby our locally made geological material can be used as a substitute.