Basic Technologies and Equipment Used for Peat Deposits Development in Foreign Countries<bold> </bold>

The article discusses the perspectives of the use of peat to solve several issues. First, there are prospects of using peat fuel for solving energy problems. Second, there is a need to use peat processing products for increasing soil fertility and combating desertification of territories. The author considers a possible solution of the problem of utilization of livestock wastes together with the obtaining of peat composts. The objective prerequisites for increasing the volume of peat extraction in the Russian Federation are given. The article discusses features of the main technologies for the extraction of milled and sod peat. The interrelation of the technology of peat harvesting with the technology of its further processing is substantiated. A limited amount of technological equipment produced in Russia causes the need for its importing. The paper overviews the main peat extraction technologies used in Western Europe and Canada. An analysis of the features of technological processes related to the characteristics of raw materials and the needs of the market is made. The tendencies in development of production of technological equipment are considered. Currently, it is recommended to use mixed sets of technological equipment of various manufacturers.<bold> </bold>