Self-Ignition Temperature of Peat

Abstract

Neighboring countries that have experienced major impact from forest and land fires in Indonesia, are concerned about the effects of smoke and ash on the well-being and health of the inhabitants of those country. These fires have also significantly raised the temperature of the earth's surface. Peat is a source of water and vegetation which is quite abundant in the two main islands of Indonesia, namely Kalimantan and Sumatra. This study was conducted to calculate the temperature at which the peat will ignite. Several samples taken from four different depths underground in peat soil areas were tested using the Thermogravimetry Analyzer.