Peat

Name:
Peat
Detailed information:
Semicarbonized residue of plants formed in water-saturated environments (bogs and marshes). It occurs in surface layers 3–10 ft thick and has a water content of 85%. Before peat can be used for chemical or fuel purposes it must be field-dried to a water content of 30–40%. Since the dried product is susceptible to autoignition, storage conditions must minimize this risk. Peat is easily converted to hydrocarbons and is an excellent source of natural gas; when dry it can be used directly as a fuel. The U.S. has peat sources second only to those of the former U.S.S.R., located in Alaska, the north-central states, and Maine, where processing on a large scale is planned. Their total energy content is said to be equivalent to 240 billion barrels of petroleum. The peat can be gasified for production of methanol after mechanical dewatering. Experimental conversion studies have been under way for some time. Substantial quantities of oil, ammonia, and sulfur can be obtained as by-products.