Physical and Thermochemical Properties of Uncontaminated and Diesel-Contaminated Peat

Peat, plant matter that is partially fossilized, is formed in poorly oxygenated wetlands where the rate at which the plant matter accumulates is greater than the rate at which it decomposes. Peat is a common solid fuel ranking among coal, coke, wood, and sugarcane bagasse. It has also been used to recover oil during the remediation processes of contaminated water and soil. Because of its high moisture content, peat has a high potential as biofuel material for gasification. However, proper understand ing of the physical and thermochemical properties of peat is necessary for the design of thermochemical conversion systems. This study provides information on moisture content, bulk density, particle size, heating values, proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, ash composition, and ash fusibility characteristics of uncontaminated and diesel-contaminated peat. The moisture content of uncontaminated peat was 7.10 % , whereas that of diesel-contaminated peat ranged from 8.65 % to 10.80 %. The bulk density for the uncontaminated peat was 151 kg m3, which increased to 391-534 kg m3 due to diesel contamination. Most of the particles (60%) were in the form of dust. The results also showed an ash content of 3.23 % and the lower heating value of 17.65 MJ kg (dry weight basis) for the uncontaminated peat. The ash content decreased substantially, whereas the lower heating value increased due to diesel contamination. The ash fusion temperature of the peat was found to be over 1100 C.