Technological framework for hydrophobically modified sod peat extraction

Abstract

The article justifies the relevance of using the method of hydrophobic modification of peat raw materials when developing the technology of sod peat extraction. The authors carry out a critical analysis of the known methods of physical and chemical modification of peat raw materials and the experience of their practical application in industrial production. It is shown that the hydrophobic processing of peat mass before its moulding can significantly reduce the initial moisture content of sod peat and improve its final qualitative characteristics. Hydrophobic additives in the tested concentrations of 2–4 % fail to reduce the intensity of drying of sod peat. When ethylhydrosiloxane additives are used, a slight decrease in the strength is observed, but its value remains consistently high and sufficient for all operations of the technological process of sod peat extraction. The treatment of the peat raw material before moulding increases the time of wetting of the sod surface by 1.4–2.7 times. This leads to a twofold decrease in the absorption coefficient of precipitation and blocks the process of moisture exchange of the drying sods with the underlying peat deposit. The maximum value of the water absorption of the sod peat from highly decomposed raw materials is reduced by 30% by the treatment with ethylhydrosiloxane. The most promising is the improved method of volumetric application of the hydrophobizing agent to the peat mass. The article provides a structural scheme of the implementation of the sod peat extraction technology. The authors describe the new extraction technology based on the principle of hydrophobic modification at the stage of mechanical dispersion, moulding and spreading of sod peat. The main implementation method of the sod peat extraction technology, which is closely adjusted to the raw material base of the milled peat extraction technologies industrially used in Russia and abroad, is presented.