Proximate analyses peats

It is for these reasons that we have initiated this correlative study of peat petrography and peat industrial-chemical (coal quality) properties. Note that the information reported herein represents preliminary results based on a limited number of different types of peats that were analyzed for only a few coal quality tests (i.e., proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and BTU content). Future studies will involve measurement of other petrographic parameters and include other industrial analyses (such as, gas and liquid yields, physical properties, organic chemical yields, and so forth). 

Peat materials are often richer in nonhumified plant residues than in humus. Exhaustive alkaline extraction and estimation of humic substances are therefore hampered by the presence of hydrophobic lipids, and by coextraction of phenolic compounds from undecomposed plant residues, particularly from lignihed tissues. Artifacts may occur also during the solvation, separation, or concentration steps of the procedure, as discussed by Hayes in Chapter 13. Some of the problems can be mitigated by prior extraction of the lipids, soluble phenols, and sugars, as in the various schemes of proximate analysis discussed by Walmsley (1973). 

The elemental composition of the raw peat and solid product was determined using an elemental analyzer (Yanaco CHN Corder MT-5 and MT-6). Additionally, proximate analysis (based on JIS M 8812) total sulfur analysis (based on JIS M 8819) and calorific analysis (based on JIS M 8814) were conducted separately. The gross calorific value (CV) was measured using the bomb calorimetric method and the effective calorific value (ECV) of the sample at a constant pressure was determined based on JIS M 8814, which is followed by ISO 1928. The equilibrium moisture content of the dried solid product was further analyzed while maintaining their moisture contents according to JIS M 8811. Briefly, an aliquot of the sample was placed inside a desiccator containing saturated salt solution and then measured rapidly using a moisture content analyzer (Sartorius MA 150). 

Proportions of premacerals and botanical constituents composing selected peat samples from Minnesota, Maine, North Carolina, and Georgia were determined by microscopic analysis of oriented microtome thin sections. These results were compared with proximate and ultimate analyses of the same samples. 

Some wastes, which are combustible, are burned in a high-temperature furnace, like a boiler or incinerator. The heat released by the combustion process is recovered by producing high-temperature steam to supply heat or to drive a turbine to generate electricity. The heating values of some combustible materials are shown in Table ll.ll.26 The proximate analyses and heating values of municipal refuse, wood, and peat are listed in Table 11.12.26 If the ultimate analysis is known for a waste, the heating values can be estimated by means of Equation 11.44. 

Table 1. Proximate and ultimate analysis, yield of solid products and calorific value of Takahashi peat moss and hydrothermally upgraded peat.

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