Peat utilisation ration to go up

As reported by the magazine Nauka i Zhizn (Science and Life), the State Technical University in Tver (200 kilometres North-West of Moscow) has developed a new method of low-temperature peat and organic waste gasification, boosting the share of hydrocarbons in the fuel gas and, thus, improving its calorific value. The method relies on the use of catalytic systems of gasification. The use of cheap natural catalysts makes the process only a little costlier.

With this approach, the liquid and gaseous products given off at the initial stage of thermal decomposition are not burned, as is the case with the conventional technologies, but go to produce more complex chemical compounds (ethane, propane, butane, ethylene etc.). As is known, they have a much larger calorific value and can find application in power generation or further processing. With the state of today's environment it is crucial that peat as a source of heat and electricity is more environmentally friendly, emitting far less sulphur, phosphorous, heavy metals and other pollutants into the air in comparison with coal and, especially, fuel oil.