THERMODYNAMIC CHARACTERIZATION OF WATER ADSORBED ON PEAT

A preliminary thermodynamic characterization of water adsorbed on peat of sphagnum origin has been completed. The characterization has indicated that this organic material has a reactivity with respect to water which is similar to that of a montmorillonite clay. Under the relatively dry conditions of this study, less water was adsorbed by samples with a very low rubbed fibre content. The relative partial molar heat content of the adsorbed water approached the latent heat of fusion at water contents of about 16%. Additional measurements are required in the range of relative vapor pressures of 0.0–0.5 in order to determine if Halsey’s theory for adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces is applicable to the adsorption of water on peat.