TECHNOLOGY FOR PRODUCING HUMIC SUBSTANCES FROM PEAT

Abstract

Humic acids are the most important component of soil humus. The higher their content, then the soil is fertile. However, in the natural state, humic acids are insoluble in water and little available to plants. They become available only after indirect action - humus mineralization, when it transforms into simple mineral compounds. In nature, more humic acids are found in low-calorie fuels - brown coal, peat and others. For power engineering, humic acids are an undesirable component, fuel with their high content is of low grade. However, for the production of humates - the more of them in the raw material, the better. Chemical activation of peat by treatment with an alkaline solution activates humic acids, which transform into a plastic water-soluble state. Humic substances of peat are both a natural astringent and a fertilizer useful for restoring the humus layer. The classical technology for the extraction of humic substances using chemical methods is based on high temperatures of the mixture and requires a lot of electricity. The proposed mode of extraction of the humus component according to the developed standard procedure takes place at an extraction temperature of 20 ° C, 60 ° C and the duration of treatment with an alkaline solution in a cavitation apparatus for 20 min, 40 min and 60 min. The research was carried out on milled and dry peat. The humic components in the humic substances were determined using a method adapted to our conditions. For the first time, the stage of extraction of humic components of peat, integrated into peat-processing production, made it possible to remove a sufficient amount of humic substances for the production of organic fertilizers. The remainder of the peat after extraction contains a sufficient amount of activated humic substances, which are a binding component for the production of peat briquettes.