Raw peat production and processing from flooded fields and approaches to maintain dehydration

Abstract

The autonomous modular complex is energy efficient, capable to ensure year-round production of raw peat and its onboard processing thus transforming some part of fuel into thermal and electrical energy provided the complex is self-powered and generates energy for local consumers. The integrated scheme of modular units and energy intensity of raw peat production and processing depends on the preferred method of raw materials extraction. In general, the functional structure of a complex may include the following units: raw peat production, separation and crushing, formation of peat (raw peat) reserves, drying, generation of electrical energy for internal needs, production of commodity products (granules, gas, coke, fertilizers, electrical energy, etc.). To comply with the energy saving principle the autonomous production and processing complex with power self-generation focuses on such method of peat mechanical dehydration as gravity filtration and sedimentation. Magnetic treatment of a peat pulp may be used to intensify the moisture disengagement under the influence of gravity forces. The analysis of water separation intensity on a pulp did not reveal a clear influence of a constant magnetic field. However, the influence of an alternating magnetic field revealed explicit (more than twice) increase in the intensity of water separation in comparison with the basic test.