SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1983
STP37338S

Effect of Peat Type and Decomposition on the Calorific Value of Some New Brunswick Peats

Source

A detailed inventory of the peatlands in the Province of New Brunswick has been used to select representative sites on major peatlands for determination of several physical and chemical characteristics. At the selected sites a core was recovered for the entire thickness of the deposit using either a 4-cm piston sampler or a 10-cm Macaulay sampler. The core was subdivided into sample intervals on the basis of changes in peat type and humification (decomposition). The samples were oven-dried and calorific value was determined. Ash content was also determined to facilitate comparison of results on an ash-free basis.

The values obtained were grouped by degree of humification for comparison. The values were then subdivided into Sphagnum-dominated and Carex-dominated (sedge) peats for further comparison. Sedge peats were found to have higher calorific values than Sphagnum peats at all observed degrees of humification. For both peat-type groups the calorific value increased with increased decomposition, with the rate of increase being greater for Sphagnum peats.

Author Information

D, Keys
Mineral Development Branch, Department of Natural Resources, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
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Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 111–121
DOI: 10.1520/STP37338S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4886-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0254-5