Emissions from the combustion of peat: an experimental study

The first-ever experimental study of gaseous emissions from tropical biomass in southeast Asia is reported. Forest fires have been responsible for regional haze episodes in recent years, and most of the fires were in areas where peat is the dominant biomass fuel. Samples of peat were combusted at temperatures typical of smouldering combustion (500–600°C) and the combustion products were analysed for CO, CO2, CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, C2H4, HCHO, CH2CHCHO, and PAHs. The most abundant carbon-containing species was CO2, followed by CO, and CH4. Emission factors were quantified for the gases that were detected. No aldehydes nor PAHs were detected in the combustion products, however, these may have been present at levels below the method detection limits. Aldehydes and PAHs identified in field studies during biomass fires and haze episodes may also result from atmospheric reactions of primary emissions.