Experimental studies of the occurrence of spontaneous combustion centers on peat soils of the Tver region

This article presents the results of experimental studies of the ability of peat soil to spontaneously ignite, depending on its degree of decomposition, ash content, chemical composition and bulk density. The purpose of conducting laboratory experimental studies was to study the effect of physicochemical properties of peat on the occurrence of the spontaneous combustion effect. Among drained lands, the most promising for agricultural production are peatlands that have the necessary fertility, the area of which in the Russian Federation reaches about 320 million hectares, more than half of which have a peat soil layer of at least 30 cm, which meets the requirements for soils recommended for introduction into agricultural circulation. It should be noted that more than 70% of the soils of the Non-Chernozem zone of Russia are represented by low-fertility sod-podzolic soils, and plant products produced on them have a high cost due to low yields and the need for high doses of fertilizers. Organic matter of peat consists of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, therefore peat has high fertility and is of interest for the purposes of growing agricultural crops, however, it should be noted that this type of soil is fire hazardous. Peat has a complex chemical composition, which is determined by the conditions of genesis, the chemical composition of heat-generating plants and the degree of decomposition. The elemental composition of peat: carbon 50-60%, hydrogen 5-6.5%, oxygen 30-40%, nitrogen 1-3%, sulfur 0.5-2.5% of combustible mass. The presence of sulfur in peat produces sulfur dioxide (SO₂) as a result of interaction with oxygen, which irritates the upper respiratory tract of a person and eyes, and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) – a very toxic gaseous substance. The indicators that determine the ability of peat to ignite are the degree of decomposition, ash content and bulk density.

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