GRATE FIRING OF PEAT FUELS

While the paper deals specifically with peat fuel, it is hoped that the principles outlined and the equipment described may be of use to those who are contemplating the use of wood, since the chemical and physical characteristics of timber are closer to those of peat than they are to any other commercial fuel.

Combustion characteristics of peat are outlined, and an attempt is made to show that higher specific combustion rates must lead to more intense and more complete burning, with a consequent reduction in furnace volume and in excess air.

Ignition characteristics are also described.
While burning rates of peat are limited only by considerations of ash carry-over, ignition rates are relatively slow.
Underfeed ignition, which occurs in the underfeed stoker and the conventional chain-grate is not suitable for peat.

Two systems have found successful for peat-burning and these involve overfeed.
The coking stoker (a modified coal stoker) and the screw stoker specially developed for peat are described.

Other systems which seem to offer promise for peat combustion but are not used (fluidised bed and spreader firing) are mentioned and their likely performance assessed.

Symposium on More Profitable Use of Energy in Protected Cultivation

F. Lunny

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1981.115.22