Experimental studies of temperature-dynamic properties of peat soils in agricultural lands

Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Moscow, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: aguzalov@mail.ru

Abstract

Peat fires occur when groundwater levels significantly decrease, precipitation is low, and air temperatures are high. Peat is prone to spontaneous combustion at temperatures above +35°C to +40°C. Self- ignition occurs due to exothermic oxidation processes that lead to self- heating of the material. A mathematical description of the self-ignition process is provided, which follows this scheme: a heat flux heats the surface to the ignition temperature, resulting in a self-heating zone that forms a smoldering wave capable of propagating independently. To conduct experimental studies on the fire hazard of selected peat samples, a method for experimentally determining thermal self-ignition conditions was applied. According to this method, the test material is loaded into a cylindrical container with thermocouples placed inside to record the temperature of the surface and center of the sample, where a smoldering or burning source occurs. The results of experimental studies on the possibility of fires occurring in peat soil depending on its physicochemical characteristics are presented.