About the article
A.V. KUPOROVA, Senior Lecturer
The lump peat and peat briquettes are the main types of molded solid peat fuel. The lump peat is mined in the field using solar energy for drying, and peat briquette is produced at the plant using artificial drying. The spontaneous process of forming a structure in lump peat is energetically beneficial. It is based on shrinkage deformations during drying, leading to a decrease in the size of the peat sample. At the same time, intermolecular interactions are strengthened and hydrogen bonds arise between the elements of the structure. In peat briquette intermolecular interaction is provided due to initial energy consumption for crushed peat pressing. The article discusses the main theories of structure formation. which make it possible to explain the complex physicochemical mechanism of these processes: the role of micro- and macrostructure; an energy approach; impact of the skeleton density of peat systems and a comprehensive assessment of the impact of mineral components. Recommendations are given on the application of these theories in technologies for the extraction of biogenic materials in the management of structure formation in peat and sapropel systems, as well as their compositions with mineral components.
lump peat, peat briquette, molded fuel, structure formation, intermolecular interaction, hydrogen bond