MILLED-PEAT COMPRESSIBILITY SENSOR

A sensor for continuously measuring milled-peat bulk density at a refe rence moisture content of 45% w.b. was constructed. The sensor compres sed milled peat by 45% by volume because laboratory experiments reveal ed that when milled peat is compressed by this amount then the pressur e generated is correlated (R = 0.863) with milled-peat bulk density at 45% m.c.w.b. A mechanical sensor consisting of two compression roller s was constructed which measured pressure exerted by the compression r ollers on the milled peat by means of a load cell. The output signal f rom the sensor (load cell), produced a signal linearly proportional to milled-peat bulk density at the reference moisture content of 45% w.b . (R = 0.853). (C) 1997 Silsoe Research Institute.