DEWATERING OF NATURALLY MOIST CRUDE PEAT

The invention relates to the dewatering of naturally moist crude peat. In the method disclosed, dewatering is accomplished in stages. In the first stage, the peat is passed through a press to produce an intermediate product which is passed to a filter press system where the peat is further dewatered in at least two successive filter press chambers. In passage between the press chambers the peat is loosened and in the last dewatering stage the peat is compacted. The resultant product is able to be handled and transported with minimal risk. In addition to being largely independent of weather and temperature, the method is considerably more economical than previous processes which were inefficient in terms of time and/or energy consumption.