FI125378B - Procedure for producing peat and plant peat - Google Patents

Description

METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF FUELS AND GROWTH

The environmental problems of traditional peat production have been the subject of intense public debate. There is particular concern about the impact of peat production on water, which is said to pollute water, especially as a result of the introduction of humus and nutrient loads into the water, although peat production is subject to licensing, on-site water treatment methods and production control. Similar effects have been observed in agriculture and forestry. In addition to its effects on water, dust has also been identified as a problem, as it is easily transported to the perimeter dikes of peat soils, from where it enters untreated waterways. The new environmental guidelines for peat production therefore require a protection zone around the site. In addition to water damage, dust can in some cases have a disruptive effect on the population of the environment. Peat production also causes greenhouse gas emissions during production and reduces biodiversity. Due to the above, obtaining peat production permits has become considerably more difficult, as permit applications are routinely appealed. Indeed, peat production capacity has begun to decline as old sites cease to exist, leading to a shortage of peat and even a shift to coal use in peat plants.

Indeed, efforts have been made to develop peat production in recent years. In particular, Vapo Oy has developed several methods (UTU and SUTU methods) that have been able to significantly reduce environmental damage, see also patent P3637FI00. The problem, however, has been the high cost of the methods, which has prevented their proliferation.

In the present method, the above problems can be solved efficiently and at low cost. The method is set forth in independent claim 1.

In the following, the invention will be illustrated by the drawing 1.

The basic features of the method are illustrated in the accompanying drawing 1 and have the following basic features: - in the preparation of peat, shallow edges (1) typically less than 2 meters are processed by transferring the masses to the production hinges (3) so that almost is surrounded by production fields (2). The saline surface vegetation is restored to the excavated area (2) where it forms a living layer of carbon dioxide-binding vegetation. - portions (4) (usually central) of the bog over 2 m are prepared normally and dried with the help of strippers (5). - the prepared mire forms a star-shaped or annular pattern with the central portion of a normal production field (4) and the peripheral portions of a mainly vegetated area depleted of peat (2). - when the edges of the production field become lower, a new mass transfer is made, whereby the peat of the lowered part is transferred to the existing peat field and leveled (6). The new transfer area is represented by a dashed line. In this case, the area of the intermediate area surrounding the production area increases and the area of the actual production area decreases accordingly. In large marsh areas, where necessary, mass transfer may be carried out several times until the production area reaches its minimum size and peat is produced by conventional methods. - Intermediate areas, ie trenches, replace traditional ditches at the edges of the mire and serve as a reservoir for flood waters, from which water can be discharged in a controlled way to a water treatment system (7 and 8). - the actual peat production is carried out with normal production equipment as usual. - the core areas (10) and the road (11) are constructed at the edges of the production area in the normal way. - the on-site water treatment system is constructed by placing the pumping station (7) at the bottom of the bog and then directing the water to the surface drainage field (8). If necessary, chemical treatment can be used to enhance cleaning. The formed, mainly plant-covered intermediate areas or trenches act as the first step in water purification by collecting dust, solid particles and nutrients. - the purification of water is enhanced by recycling water to upper parts of the mire into plant-covered intermediate areas (9), whereby the vegetation in the trenches acts as a purifying and filtering element. During the summer, the amount of water recycled during small discharges is higher and the purification efficiency is better than during floods. During small flows, a closed loop is reached. This is particularly important for trapping dust and nutrients during production. The most significant difference to the previously disclosed methods, such as the UTU and SUTU methods and the P3637FI00 process, is the predominantly plant-covered intermediate (mine) surrounded by the production area, which is magnified as the production fields decrease and serves as a reservoir for flood waters, water treatment systems and recycling. In addition, the process is less expensive than other new processes because it can utilize known efficient production methods.

The presented method achieves significant advantages: - the efficiency of the water treatment system is significantly improved, since flood waters can be collected in the intermediate space (s) and controlled from it through a purification system. The major weakness of current treatment systems is the uncontrolled flow variation, which causes difficulties in dosing chemicals and designing the capacity of purification systems. Water treatment capacity is easily exceeded during a flood. In addition, the plant surface of the intermediate areas (trenches) itself acts as a surface drainage field and efficiently collects fines, humus and nutrients. Water recycling substantially improves water purification efficiency. Water also evaporates from mines, which reduces runoff, especially during production. - Dust from the production area is also prevented, since it binds to vegetation in the intermediate areas (trenches). The mines also serve as a protection zone for the production area. - the method is cost-effective, since the preparation of the production is not much more expensive than normal preparation, because the mass transfer by excavator is efficient. Preparation of deep parts is customary at cost. The cost of the peat production itself is also normal, as it uses standard methods and equipment. - the method can reduce greenhouse gas emissions during production, since the vegetated intermediate area is a sink from the second year. - weather dependence can also be reduced, as in fields where peat has been removed from the trenches, the capillary water rise is interrupted at the interface of the transferred peat and drying is more efficient than in normal fields. - It is also a significant advantage that the method can efficiently exploit shallow and small marshes that would otherwise not be used in peat production. This is especially important when large swamp areas are difficult to obtain for peat production, especially near customers. - the method can also be used to speed up the use of the area, since intermediate areas are already being restored during production.

Claims (10)

A process for producing incineration and vegetation peat, which is used to transfer peat from low-peat areas to the production hubs (3) so as to produce a 2-3 fold layer of peat, depending on the thickness of the peat layer; a carbon-binding vegetation zone is formed, the deep parts of the mire are normally dried by means of ridges (5): characterized in that the marshland (1) is prepared by mass transfer such that shallow edge areas (typically less than 2m) form a predominantly vegetated trench (2), which serves as a reservoir for flood waters and as part of the on-site water treatment system, and water purification is enhanced by recycling water to upper parts of the mire (9) into a vegetated well (2), whereby vegetation acts as a purifying and filtering element. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that either a star-shaped or annular, mainly plant-covered trench (2) is formed around the deep peat area (4). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, when the edges of the production field become shallower, the mass transfer is carried out again (6), whereby the surface area of the trench increases with respect to the production area and water treatment becomes more efficient. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the actual peat production can be carried out in a cost-effective manner using normal production equipment. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the resulting excavation (2), which is mainly plant-covered, surrounds the production area and functions as part of a water treatment system and as a storage area for flood waters. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that from the pumping station (7) at the lowest point of the bog, part of the water is pumped to the surface drainage field (8) and part of the water is recycled to intermediate areas (trench). Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the mainly vegetated trench (2) formed around the thick peat area acts as a dust collector and binder. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the plant-covered trenches can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the site as they form a carbon sink and reduce the emissions from the residual peat by more precise utilization of peat. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the restoration of the peatland after peat production can be carried out rapidly with the help of trenches (2) or the area can also be rehabilitated for agricultural and forestry use. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that peat production can be carried out efficiently, economically and environmentally in small and shallow peatlands.