Energetic potential and kinetic behavior of peats

Investigations were conducted with the aim to improve the energetic characterization of peats with different geological origin, hydrology, and botanical composition. Special attention was paid to the effects and kinetics of thermal treatment of peat decomposition in an oxidative atmosphere. Experiments were carried out using thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and a calorimetric bomb. The present study shows that thermal decomposition process consists in a devolatilization step between 473 and 650 K and a combustion step between 650 and 773 K. Thermochemical properties (i.e., degree of decomposition, ultimate analysis, and heating value) were determined for each sample and correlated to thermal behavior. Based on the experimental results, the kinetic parameters for pyrolysis and combustion of boreal peat were estimated using a three-step model. The kinetic triplet of each reaction was estimated using the hybrid kinetic method Cancellieri et al. (Thermochim Acta 438:41-50, 2005). These results will assist in the development of an energetic classification of peat fuels.