Chertkova E. Yu., Post Graduate Student, e-mail: lastochka-w@mail.ru; Smirnov V. I., Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Tver State Technical University.

The relevance of the work is connected with creation of geotechnological process for moisture content reduction of up to 35 % of peat cut in field (natural) conditions. Analysis of scientific and technical literature has been carried out which detected about 10 principal methods for peat drying stimulation in field conditions. Technological process for peat drying on aerated bedding developed and put to evaluation test in field conditions includes operation for formation of a fragmented peat layer 80–120 mm thick. Such thickness of peat bedding allows performing several cycles for drying and gathering ready product. During the process of elaboration of technology for cutting peat of decreased moisture content with application of pneumatic gathering principle, there is offered a method for drying of fragmented peat in thick layers conventionally divided into two intermediate layers — the upper layer with the most intensive evaporation, and the lower one — which considerably reduces influence of a peat bed capillary moisture on drying. Thickness of the lower layer makes 25–30 mm, and that of the upper one must comply with the cycle gathering of commercial (dried) peat. For cycle gathering of 16–17 t/ha with the gathering ratio equal to 0.7 effective thickness of the upper part of the layer doesn’t exceed 20 mm. Thus, total thickness of the layer after milling should make 45–50 mm. Depending on equipment and real abilities to update the technological equipment there was offered a stage-by-stage mastering of methods for stimulation of drying: the first stage — in the whole area in aerated bedding and after with updating of pneumatic cutter machines and acquisition of special equipment, — in accordance with the process flow diagram with drying at rolls’ slopes. Combination of methods for stimulation of drying in thick layers and at the surfaces of enlarged rolls’ slopes in one geotechnological cycle will allow not only to keep but also to increase cycle gathering by 8,5 % in comparison to milled peat gathering of 45 % moisture content in compliance with a standard process flow diagram.

1. Misnikov O. S., Timofeev A. E. Gornyi Zhurnal — Mining Journal, 2008, No. 11, pp. 59–63.
2. Vasilev A. N. Perspektivnye tekhnologii proizvodstva frezernogo torfa (Advanced Technologies for Milled Peat Production). Tver, 2007. 184 p.
3. Afanasev A. E. Torfyanaya promyshlennost — Peat Industry, 1977, No. 3, pp. 19–22.
4. Afanasev A. E. et al. Tekhnologiya i kompleksnaya mekhanizatsiya razrabotki torfyanykh mestorozhdeniy (Technology and Complex Mechanization of Peat Removal). Мoscow, 1987. 311 p.
5. Afanasev A. E. Torfyanaya promyshlennost — Peat Industry, 1970, No. 4, pp. 8–10.
6. Smirnov V. I. Vasilev V. G. Sposob dobychi torfa. Avtorskoe svidetelstvo No. 1184945 SSSR (Peat Cutting Method. The copyright certificate № 1184945 USSR). 1985.
7. Eskov A. I., Ryabkov V. V. Sb. dokl. Mezhdunar. nauch.-praktich. konf. “Innovatsionnie Tekhnologii Ispolzovania Torfa v Selskom Khozyaistve” (Collection of reports of International Scientific and Practical Conference “Innovative technologies of peat use in rural areas in agriculture ”). Мoscow, 2010, pp. 366–374.
8. Smirnov V. I. Upravlenie protsessom razrabotki torfyanykh mestorozhdeniy (Control of Peat Removal: educational aid for higher educational institutions). Мoscow, 1985. 224 p.
9. Tarasov V. I. Torfyanaya promyshlennost — Peat Industry, 1990, No. 7, pp. 20–22.
10. Vasilev A. N. GIAB — Mining Information and Analytical Bulletin, 2010, No. 9, pp. 185–188.
11.Varentsov V. S. Torfyanaya promyshlennost — Peat Industry, 1943, No. 1, pp. 2–7.
12. Tarasov V. I. Torfyanaya promyshlennost — Peat Industry, 1988, No. 11, pp. 7–8.