Unusual ways to use peat
Peat is a mineral that is used in many areas of human activity. It is primarily used in agriculture, but it can also bring benefits in medicine, biochemistry, animal husbandry, etc.
- Malt whiskey would not have such a pleasant and unusual taste if it were not for peat. It is used when heating a dryer for barley, which is germinated with the help of fuel. Peat smoke phenols envelop the grain and give the drink a “smoky” taste.
- In construction, peat is used as a heat insulator. For example, Eskimos line the inside of a yurt with peat to retain heat and not harm nature – as an organic material, peat is resistant to biodegradation and moisture.
- In production, peat is used as a kind of “filter” for wastewater. In case of environmental accidents with emissions of substances (for example, oil), peat serves as an adsorbent and gas absorber.
- Peat is also used in medicine – peat deposits produce healing mud. This type of mud bath contains a lot of free sulfuric acid, iron and aluminum sulfates.
- Due to the already mentioned thermal insulation and antiseptic properties, peat is often used to make bedding for animals on livestock and poultry farms.
- Due to the widespread use of 3D printers, domestic scientists began to think about Russian import substitution of cement building mixtures. Recently, an additive from thermally modified peat was developed, which will help reduce the cost of cement products for professional printing on a 3D device.
- But most often peat is used in agriculture. It is used in the production of soil fertilizers, planting mixtures, composts, for mulching and strengthening earthen embankments.
