Method of Expert Assessment of Stimulation of Field Drying in Milled Peat Harvesting

Abstract

The article gives the expert assessment data on the selection of the best ways of low-moisture peat harvesting by a milling method. They are essential to reducing the energy expenditure for the artificial drying of peat and ensuring the quality characteristics of raw material required for further thermochemical processing. The R&D efforts towards stimulation of the field drying of crumb peat are analyzed. The method of prioritization is applied in expert assessment. An appropriate significance rank value is assigned to each method. Mathematical estimate of the expert information reliability is made by the range and the variance of total ranks. The consistency of experts’ decisions on the assessment of the milled peat drying stimulation methods was checked by the relative range of significance values as well as the actual and the estimated strength of an expert group. Preference is given to two options: peat drying to harvesting humidity of 35% in thick layers and that on the slopes of pre-formed swaths of raw peat crumb.

Economic Assessment of Low Humidity Peat Production Practice

“…As a rule, the moisture content of milled fuel peat that is supplied to a consumer is 45-50 %. Even if we take the average initial humidity of milled peat as 47 % or 0.89 kg / kg in terms of wetness, then 0.70 kg of moisture per kilogram of dried peat under factory conditions has to be removed, which is associated with significant heat energy consumption [1,2]. In addition, this process is accompanied by an increase in temperature and time of exposure to peat, which leads to a change in the chemical group composition of peat and the loss of some valuable organic components [3].…”

“…Cycle peat deposit milling is performed by a dynamic cutting drum after precipitation to the depth of 25-30 mm provided that a layer of 45-50 mm thick is formed (Figure 1). In the second and subsequent cycles after precipitation, a cutting drum makes a layer of the fragmented peat that has remained in a production field and of the peat additionally milled at the depth of no more than 10-12 mm [1]. The method of fragmented peat drying in a deep bed is conducted in two layers.…”

Production and Technological Parameters of Milled Peat Extraction Depending on Organization of Peat Machines Operation

“…Developed by [7] a technological process for milled peat drying in thick layers based on pneumatic peat harvesting allows us to organize the technology of peat extraction with a constant cycle time avoiding the necessity for drying rate prediction, as in good weather conditions the spreading thickness of 45-50 mm is quite sufficient to achieve the maximum possible cycle harvesting.…”