RESEARCH OF CHARACTERISTICS AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF PEAT OF THE TOMSK REGION RELATING TO ENERGY USE

The relevance of the research is caused by the need to involve renewable biomass (in particular, peat) to generate heat and electrical energy. This will partially solve the problem of resource-deficient regions, depending on the supply of fuel from developed coal deposits. The main aim of the research is the investigation of thermal characteristics and the mineral matter of the peat of a number of large deposits of the Tomsk region to assess the possibility of their energy use. Objects of researches are the samples of low-moor peat from Sukhovskoye and Arkadyevskoye deposits and one of the Tomsk region deposits. Methods. Thermal characteristics of the studied samples were determined according to GOST 33503-2015 (ISO 11722: 2013), 55661-2013 (ISO 1171: 2010), 55660-2013 (ISO 562: 2010). Net calorific values of the peats were determined in the ABK-1 calorimeter (Russia), the elemental composition of the organic matter was determined using the analyzer Vario Micro Cube (Elementar, Germany). Peat mineral matter composition was studied by X-ray fluorescence analysis using an EDX-720-P spectrometer (Shimadzu, Japan) as well as by X-ray diffractometry using a Shimadzu XRD7000 diffractometer (CuK alpha-radiation) with a Shimadzu CM-3121 monochromator counter. Typical ash melting points were determined according to GOST 2057-94 (ISO 540-81). The structure of the samples under study was examined by scanning electron microscopy using a TM 3000 electron microscope (Hitachi, Japan). Results. On the basis of the obtained results, it can be concluded that, due to the high ash content, the use of okolotomsky peat for chamber-type combustion is impractical. However, this resource can be considered as a mineral fertilizer in agriculture due to the presence of such elements as phosphorus, potassium. The high content of carbonates indicates the possibility of its using as an additive to high-sulfur coal to reduce emissions of sulfur oxide SOx. The characteristics of sukhovskoy and arkadyevsky peat make it possible to consider them as an alternative to imported fuel. The preferred method of energy use of peat from Tomsk region fields is its combustion in a fluidized bed.