GB2340051A - Blending or mixing wet and dry peat with limestone using inclined conveyor and tumbling plate - Google Patents

Description

2340051 "A method and apparatus for preparing a peat blend" The present

invention relates to a method and apparatus for blending peat, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for blending relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, for 5 example, relatively dry peat, limestone grit and/or powder.

Peat is extensively used in the production of mushrooms. In order to provide the mushroom spores with the nutrients required for efficient mushroom production, in general, it is necessary to prepare a peat blend which is prepared from a number of different types of peat, which may be derived from different depths in a bog, or indeed, from different bogs. It is also desirable to blend in lime in powder or grit form with the peat blend. The lime is typically derived from ground limestone and/or ground sugar beet lime, commonly referred to as sugar beet limestone which is a by-product of sugar beet processing. Peat which is derived from a relatively deep level in a bog generally tends to have a relatively higher moisture content than that which is derived from the surface levels of a bog, which tends to be relatively dry. It has been found in the past that it is relatively difficult to blend the drier surface peats with the relatively wet peats found at deeper levels in a bog. Furthermore, it is relatively difficult to blend the relatively drier ground limestones with the relatively wet peat. In general, the peat tends to agglomerate into relatively large balls, and the dry peat and the ground limestone tend to adhere to the surface of the balls. Thus, a homogenous mixture of wet and dry peat is virtually impossible to achieve using known methods and apparatus, and furthermore, it is virtually impossible to achieve a homogenous mixture of wet and dry peat with ground limestone.

Various attempts have been made to blend such relatively wet peats with relatively dry peats And other relatively dry particulate matter using various different mixing apparatus, for example, auger mixers, paddles mixers and the like. However, in general, N 2 it has been found impossible to obtain a consistent homogenous blend of peat and other particulate matter using such mixing apparatus. In general, where a blend of wet and dry peat and other dry matter is required with the wet and dry peat and dry matter evenly distributed throughout the blend, the only feasible way of achieving such a blend is to dry the wet peat to a moisture content approaching that of the dry peat prior to blending. In many cases, it is necessary to dry the peat to a moisture content approaching that of the dry matter. This is undesirable in that the energy requirement for drying relatively wet peat is relatively high, thus, leading to a relatively expensive process. Additionally, peat drying tends to be relatively time consuming and it has been found that in drying peat some of the nutrients may be lost. Furthermore, after the peat and other ingredients have been blended in many instances it has to be moistened again, in order to provide a peat blend with the appropriate moisture content for growing mushrooms. Accordingly, much of the energy used in drying the peat is of no benefit to the peat blend subsequently prepared since the subsequently prepared peat blend must again be moistened.

There is therefore a need for a method and apparatus for blending relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, for example, relatively dry peat and/or ground limestone and/or ground sugar beet limestone, which overcomes the problems of known methods and apparatus, and is also relatively energy efficient.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a method and apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided a method for blending relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, the method comprising placing the wet peat and the dry matter on a conveying means defining an upwardly inclined conveying plane, urging the wet peat and the dry matter by the conveying means along the upwardly inclined conveying plane towards a tumbling means 3 extending transversely across the conveying means, permitting the wet peat and the dry matter to tumble for blending thereof under the action of the conveying means, urging the wet peat and the dry matter against the tumbling means, and permitting the peat blend 5 to pass through the conveying means.

In one embodiment of the invention the tumbling means defines an abutment surface for engaging the wet peat and the dry matter, the abutment surface defining an abutment plane inclined upwardly away from the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

In another embodiment of the invention the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 900 to 1600 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

Preferably the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 100 to 140 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

Advantageously, the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle of approximately 120 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

Preferably, the tumbling means is pivotally mounted and depends from a transversely extending pivot axis and is pivotal from a working condition defining the working angle with the conveying means away from the conveying means for permitting the passage of solid foreign matter therethrough, the tumbling means being spring urged into the working condition.

In one embodiment of the invention the wet peat has a moisture content in the range of 60% to 95% by weight of dry matter.

In another embodiment of the invention the wet peat has a moisture content in the range of 75% to 93-0. by weight of dry matter.

4 In a further embodiment of the invention the wet peat has a moisture content in the range of 85% to 90-0. by weight of dry matter.

In another embodiment of the invention the dry matter has a 5 moisture content in the range of 5% to 65% by weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention the dry matter is in particulate form and comprises ground limestone having a moisture content in the range of 10% to 20-1. by weight.

In one embodiment of the invention the ground limestone has a moisture content in the range of 14-1. to 16% by weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention the ground limestone has a moisture content of approximately 15% by weight.

In a still further embodiment of the invention the dry matter is in particulate form and comprises ground sugar beet limestone having a moisture content in the range of 35% to 45%, by weight. Generally, the ground sugar beet limestone has a moisture content in the range of 39% to 41% by weight, and in general the ground sugar beet limestone has a moisture content of approximately 40% by weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention the dry matter additionally or alternatively is relatively dry peat having a moisture content in the range of 40% to 65% by weight.

In one embodiment of the invention the dry peat has a moisture content in the range of 459., to 60% by weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention the dry peat has a moisture content in the range of 50% to 55% by weight.

In a further embodiment of the invention peats of at least two different moisture contents are simultaneously blended on the conveying means.

in one embodiment of the invention peats of at least three different moisture contents are simultaneously blended on the conveying means.

in a further embodiment of the invention peats of at least four different moisture contents are simultaneously blended on the conveying means.

In one embodiment of the invention at least one of the wet peats is wet black peat.

in another embodiment of the invention at least one of the wet peats is wet sphagnum peat.

In a further embodiment of the invention at least one of the wet peats is deep dug black peat.

In a further embodiment of the invention at least one of the dry peats is dry milled sphagnum peat.

In another embodiment of the invention peat of moisture content above 85% by weight constitutes at least 10% by weight of the peat blend.

In a further embodiment of the invention peat of moisture content above 70% by weight constitutes at least 5011. by weight of the peat blend.

Additionally, the invention provides apparatus comprising an upwardly inclined conveying means defining an upwardly inclined conveying plane along which the wet peat and the dry matter are urged, and a tumbling means extending transversely across the 6 conveying means adjacent an upper downstream end thereof for engaging and tumbling the wet peat and the dry matter on the conveying means for blending thereof, the conveying means being perforated for permitting the peat blend to pass therethrough.

In one embodiment of the invention the tumbling means defines an abutment surface for engaging the peat and the dry matter, the abutment surface defining an abutment plane inclined upwardly away from conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

Preferably, the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 90 to 1600 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means. Advantageously, the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 1000 to 1400 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means. Advantageously, the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle of approximately 1200 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

In another embodiment of the invention the tumbling means defines a gap with the conveying means, the width of the gap being within the range of 1 mm to 25 mm.

Preferably, the width of the gap defined by the tumbling means and the conveying means, is in the range of 3 mm to 12 mm.

Advantageously, the gap defined by the tumbling means and the conveying means is approximately 6 mm.

In one embodiment of the invention the tumbling means is pivotally mounted and depends from a transversely extending pivot axis and is pivotal from a working condition defining the working angle with the conveying means away from the conveying means for permitting the passage of solid foreign matter therethrough, the tumbling means being spring urged into the working condition.

in a further embodiment of the invention the conveying plane 7 defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 50 to 500.

Preferably, the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 20' to 40.

Advantageously, the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal of approximately 30.

In another embodiment of the invention the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 10 metres per minute to 120 metres per minute.

Preferably, the speed conveying means is in the range of 60 metres per minute to 100 metres per minute.

Advantageously, the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 65 metres per minute to 75 metres per minute.

Ideally, the tumbling means comprises a tumbling plate.

Preferably, the conveying means conveying means comprises an endless conveyor formed by a plurality of transversely extending elongated spaced apart bars for permitting the peat blend to pass therethrough.

Preferably, adjacent bars of the conveyor are interlinked adjacent their respective adjacent opposite ends.

Advantageously, the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance in the range of 10 mm to 60 mm.

Ideally, the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm.

8 Preferably, the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance of approximately 20 mm.

in one embodiment of the invention the maximum transverse crosssectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor lies in the range 5 of 3 mm to 20 mm.

Preferably, the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor lies in the range of 6 mm to 16 mm.

Advantageously, the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor is approximately 8 mm.

Preferably, the bars of the conveyor are of circular transverse crosssection.

In one embodiment of the invention a grading screen is located beneath the conveying means for grading the peat blend from the conveying means.

In another embodiment of the invention a delivery chute is provided extending from the grading screen for delivering the graded peat blend from the grading screen.

In a further embodiment of the invention the apparatus comprises a main framework, the conveying means being located in the main framework, and the tumbling means being carried on the main framework.

Additionally the invention provides a peat blend comprising a relatively wet peat and relatively dry matter, the peat blend being prepared using the method according to the invention.

Further the invention provides a peat blend in which the peat blend is prepared using the apparatus according to the invention.

9 The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof and some examples thereof which are given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a partly cut away plan view of apparatus according to the invention for blending wet and dry peat, Fig. 2 is a transverse crosssectional side elevational view of the apparatus of Fig. I on the line IIII of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a detail of 10 the apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a plan view of another detail of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for blending relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, which in this embodiment of the invention is relatively dry peat and ground limestone or ground sugar beet limestone. Examples of peat blends prepared from relatively wet and relatively dry peat and the limestone are described below. Such peat blends are typically used in the production of mushrooms. The apparatus 1 comprises a main framework 2 which carries a conveying means, in this embodiment of the invention an upwardly inclined conveyor 4 on which the wet and dry peat and the limestone are blended. The conveyor 4 is an endless conveyor formed by a plurality of interlinking transversely extending elongated bars 5 which are supported on longitudinally extending spaced apart runners 6, only one of which is illustrated in Fig. 2. The conveyor 4 defines an upwardly inclined conveying plane along which the peat and limestone is conveyed, which makes an angle a with the horizontal.

The conveyor 4 extends between and around upstream and downstream sprockets namely, two pairs of driven sprockets 7 at the downstream end, and two pairs of idler sprockets 8 at the upstream end.

A pair of spaced apart side walls 9 carried on the main framework 2 contain the peat and the limestone on the conveyor 4. The conveyor 4 inclines upwardly and defines an upwardly inclined conveying plane along which the peat is conveyed in an upwardly inclined direction in the direction of the arrow A. A drive motor (not shown) mounted on the main framework 2 drives the driven sprocket 7 through a drive transmission (also not shown) for driving the conveyor 4 in the direction of the arrow A.

A tumbling means, namely, a tumbling plate 10 is pivotally carried on the main framework 2 on a pivot shaft 11, and depends downwardly from the. pivot shaft 11 towards the downstream end of the conveyor 4 for abutting and tumbling the wet and dry peat for blending thereof, as the wet and dry peat is urged against the tumbling plate 10 by the action of the conveyor 4 moving in the direction of the arrow A. The tumbling plate 10 defines a gap 12 with the conveyor 4 for permitting the passage of relatively small solid objects, such as, for example, stones, pebbles and the like from the downstream end of the conveyor 4. The tumbling plate 10 is urged by a torsion spring (not shown) mounted on the pivot shaft 11 in the direction of the arrow B into a working condition against a pair of stop members 14 located on the respective side walls 9, see Fig. 2. In the working condition the tumbling plate 10 defines an abutment plane which makes a working angle 0 with the conveying plane defined by the conveyor 4 for tumbling the peat on the conveyor 4. The torsional force in the torsion spring (not shown) is sufficient for maintaining the tumbling plate in the working condition during normal working of the apparatus 1, but is such that in the event of a relatively large stone or rock being conveyed to the upstream end of the conveyor 4, the tumbling plate 10 pivots under the action of the rock in a direction opposite to that of the arrow B for permitting discharge of the rock from the conveyor 4. The position of the stop members 14 may 11 be altered for varying the working angle 0 which the abutment plane makes with the conveying plane.

An upstream end plate 15, which in construction and operation is similar to the tumbling plate 10 is located at the upstream end of the conveyor 4 for retaining peat on the conveyor 4. The upstream end plate 15 pivotally depends from a pivot shaft 17, and is urged in the direction of the arrow C against stop members 18 so that in the event of a relatively large rock being deposited on the conveyor 4, the weight of the rock is sufficient for urging the upstream end plate 15 in a direction opposite to the direction of the arrow C for permitting discharge of the rock from the conveyor 4. Chutes 20 to 21 extend from the downstream and upstream ends, respectively, of the conveyor 4 for accommodating rocks, stones and the like being discharged from the conveyor 4.

A grading screen 23 is carried on the main framework 2 beneath the conveyor 4 for screening the peat blend which passes downwardly from the conveyor 4 through the bars 5 of the conveyor 4. A hopper 25 beneath the screen 23 directs the screened peat blend into a suitable storage container.

The angle a which the conveying plane defined by the conveyor 4 makes with the horizontal is relatively important, and in this embodiment of the invention the angle ot is of the order of 30 approximately. The working angle 0 which the tumbling plate 10 makes with the conveying plane of the conveyor 4 is particularly critical, and in this embodiment of the invention is 120 approximately. It has been found that the angle a may be varied between 50 and 500 to the horizontal, but preferably, is retained within 20 to 40' to the horizontal. The angle 0 may be varied between 90 and 160, and preferably is retained between 100' and 0 140.

In use, wet and dry peat and limestone to be blended are deposited on the conveyor 4 at the lower upstream end by any suitable means, 12 for example,_a belt, or bar feed conveyor, a portion 27 of such a feed conveyor is illustrated in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the peat and limestone may be deposited on the conveyor 4 by a loading bucket. The conveyor 4 urges the wet and dry peat and the limestone in the generally upwardly inclined direction namely, in the direction of the arrow A towards the tumbling plate 10. As the wet and dry peat and the limestone engages the tumbling plate 10, the tumbling plate 10 tumbles the peat and the limestone in the direction of the arrow D for thoroughly blending the wet and dry peat and the limestone. The tumbling action of the peat continues until the wet and dry peat is thoroughly blended and the limestone is thoroughly blended with the peat. The peat blend then passes through the bars 5 of the conveyor 4, the screen 23 and into the hopper 25.

T he wet and dry peat and the limestone may be delivered onto the conveyor 4 sequentially or simultaneously. It is preferable, however, that the wet and dry peat and the limestone should be delivered simultaneously onto the conveyor 4, and it is envisaged that the wet and dry peat and the limestone will be layered on the feed conveyor 27. This will be achieved by passing the feed conveyor 27 beneath a plurality of hoppers (not shown) containing the different types of peat and limestone to be blended, and the peats and limestone to be blended will be augered from the hoppers onto the feed conveyor 27 as the feed conveyor 27 passed beneath the hoppers. In this way the different types of peat and limestone will be layered one on top of the other on the feed conveyor 27. The wet peat should be delivered first onto the conveyor 4 and then the dry matter. In cases where the peat and limestone are being delivered to the conveyor 4 by the feed conveyor 27 it is envisaged that the wet peat would form the lower layers on the feed conveyor 27.

Typical peat blends which have been successfully prepared using the apparatus 1 are set forth in Examples I to 4 below. The relatively wet peats from which the peat blends have been prepared 13 have been selected from the following peats, the average percentage moisture content by weight and the percentage moisture content range by weight as well as the density in grammes per litre of the wet peats is set forth below.

Peat Average Moisture Percentage Density Content Moisture Range Wet Black 90 84-90 738 Peat Wet Sphagnum 85 80-85 557 Peat Deep Dug 75 70-80 570 Peat' The relatively dry peat of the peat blends of Examples 1 to 4 is milled sphagnum peat, the average percentage moisture content of which is 60% by weight, with a percentage moisture content range by weight of 50% to 65% by weight, and an approximate density of 500 grammes per litre.

The limestone selected for the peat blends of Examples 1 to 4 has been selected from the following two limestones, the average percentage moisture content by weight and the percentage moisture content range by weight as well as their respective densities are set out below:

Limestone Average Moisture Percentage Density Content 5. Moisture Range Ground 40 31-41 952 sugar beet limestone Ground 15 14-16 1452 limestone The average particle size of the sugar beet limestone is from fraction 0 to 0.5mm, and the average particle size of the ground limestone is from fraction 0 to 2mm.

14 In all cases, the wet and dry peat and the limestone were deposited simultaneously onto the conveyor 4. The wet and dry peats and the limestone were layered on the feed conveyor 27. The wet peat with the highest moisture content was laid down first on the feed conveyor 27, the next less wet peat was laid next, and so on, the ground limestone being laid last on the feed conveyor 27. The conveyor 4 of the apparatus 1 was operated at a speed of approximately 70 metres per minute and produced the peat blend at the rate of 60 to 75 cubic metres per hour. The conveying plane defined by the conveyor 4 was set an angle a. to the horizontal of approximately 30 while the working angle 0 which the abutment plane defined by the tumbling plate 10 with the conveying plane defined by the conveyor 4 was set at an angle of 1200.

In the examples below, the percentage of the peats and limestone are set forth by volume, and the final moisture content of the prepared peat blend of each example is set forth a percentage by weight of the peat blend.

Example 1

Wet black peat 5 0 Wet sphagnum peat 2 5% Sugar beet limestone 24% Ground limestone 1% Final moisture content of the peat blend 84% EXample 2

Wet sphagnum peat 23% Dry milled peat 20% Sugar beet limestone 12% Ground limestone 2% Deep dug black peat 43% Final moisture content of the peat blend 76% Example 3

Dry milled peat 58% Ground limestone 12% Deep dug black peat 30% Final moisture content of the peat blend 75% Example 4

Wet sphagnum peat 30% Dry milled peat 11% Sugar beet limestone 16% Ground limestone 2% Deep dug black peat 41% Final moisture content of the peat blend 78% In all cases, the final blend was found to be particularly homogenous with the wet and dry peat particles clearly interspersed throughout the blend and the limestone particles also clearly evenly dispersed throughout the blend. Indeed, the limestone particles were visibly adhering to the peat particles. The dry peat appeared to have been absorbed entirely into the blend with no evidence of dry peat chunks or wet peat chunks or balling. The peat blends were evenly aerated throughout with the introduction of fine air pockets evenly distributed throughout the blends.

The apparatus and method according to the invention are particularly advantageous for blending wet and dry peat and limestone. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that it provides a mechanical blending method which is suitable for blending wet and dry peat and limestone without the need for drying the wet peat prior to blending. The apparatus and method are able to cope with wet peat irrespective of the moisture content of the peat.

Why the apparatus and method operate as satisfactorily as they do 16 in blending wet and dry peat and limestone is not fully understood. Although, it is believed that the tumbling action imparted to the peat and the limestone as it engages the tumbling plate plays a significant part in the blending of the peat.

Additionally, it is believed that by virtue of the fact that the peat is exposed on the conveyor 4 and is not constrained and enclosed, as for example, it would be in an auger mixer or the like, permits relatively free movement of the peat, thereby avoiding jamming or coring of the peat.

While the apparatus and method have been described for blending wet peat with relatively dry matter, which may be ground limestone or ground sugar beet limestone and which also may in addition be relatively dry peat, it will be appreciated that the method and apparatus may be used for blending relatively wet peat with many 15 other relatively dry matter.

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Claims (82)

1. A method for blending relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, the method comprising placing the wet peat and the dry matter on a conveying means defining an upwardly inclined conveying plane, urging the wet peat and the dry matter by the conveying means along the upwardly inclined conveying plane towards a tumbling means extending transversely across the conveying means, permitting the wet peat and the dry matter to tumble for blending thereof under the action of the conveying means, urging the wet peat and the dry matter against the tumbling means, and permitting the peat blend to pass through the conveying means.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the tumbling means defines an abutment.surface for engaging the wet peat and the dry matter, the abutment surface defining an abutment plane inclined upwardly away from the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 in which the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 900 to 1600 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 in which the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 1000 to 1400 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 4 inwhich the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle of approximately 1200 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the tumbling means defines a gap with the conveying means, the width of the gap being within the range of 1 mm to 25 mm.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 in which the width of the gap 18 defined by the tumbling means and the conveying means, is in the range of 3 mm to 12 mm.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 in which the width of the gap defined by the tumbling means and the conveying means is 5 approximately 6 mm.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the tumbling means is pivotally mounted and depends from a transversely extending pivot axis and is pivotal from a working condition defining the working angle with the conveying means away from the conveying means for permitting the passage of solid foreign matter therethrough, the tumbling means being spring urged into the working condition.

10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 5 to 50.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 in which the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 200 to 400.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11 in which the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal of approximately 30.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 10 metres per minute to 120 metres per minute.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 13 in which the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 60 metres per minute to 100 metres per minute.

15. A method as claimed in Claim 14 in which the speed of the 19 conveying means is in the range of 65 metres per minute to 75 metres per minute.

16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the tumbling means comprises a tumbling plate.

17. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the conveying means comprises an endless conveyor formed by a plurality of transversely extending elongated spaced apart bars for permitting the peat blend to pass therethrough.

18. A method as claimed in Claim 17 in which adjacent bars of the conveyor are interlinked adjacent their respective adjacent opposite ends.

19. A method as claimed in Claim 17 or 18 in which the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance in the range of 10 mm to 60 mm.

20. A method as claimed in Claim 19 in which the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm.

21. A method as claimed in Claim 20 in which the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance of approximately 20 mm.

22. A method as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 21 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor lies in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm.

23. A method as claimed in Claim 22 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor lies in the range of 6 mm to 16 mm.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 23 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor is approximately 8 mm.

25. A method as claimed in any of Claims 17 to 24 in which the bars of the conveyor are of circular transverse cross-section.

26. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the peat blend is graded on a grading screen located beneath the conveying means.

27' ' A method as claimed in Claim 26 in which a graded peat blend is delivered through a delivery chute extending from the grading screen.

28. A method as c.laimed in any preceding claim in which the wet peat has a moisture content in the range of 60% to 95% by weight of dry matter.

29. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the wet peat has a moisture content in the range of 75% to 93% by weight of dry matter.

30. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the wet peat has a moisture content in the range of 85% to 90% by weight of dry matter.

31. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which the dry matter has a moisture content in the range of 5% to 65% by weight.

32. A method as claimed in Claim 31 in which the dry matter is in particulate form and comprises ground limestone having a moisture content in the range of 10% to 20% by weight.

33. A method as claimed in Claim 32 in which the ground limestone has a moisture content in the range of 14% to 16% by weight.

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34. A method as claimed in Claim 33 in which the ground limestone has a moisture content of approximately 15% by weight.

35. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 34 in which the dry matter is in particulate form and comprises ground sugar beet limestone having a moisture content in the range of 35% to 45% by weight.

36. A method as claimed in Claim 35 in which the ground sugar beet limestone has a moisture content in the range of 39% to 41% by'weight.

37. A method as claimed in Claim 36 in which the ground sugar beet limestone has a moisture content of approximately 40% by weight.

38. A method as claimed in any of Claims 31 to 37 in which the dry matter is relatively dry peat having a moisture content in the range of 40% to 659-. by weight.

39.- A method as claimed in Claim 38 in which the dry peat has a moisture content in the range of 45% to 60% by weight.

40. A method as claimed in Claim 39 in which the dry peat has a moisture content in the range of 50% to 55% by weight.

41. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which peats of at least two different moisture contents are simultaneously blended on the conveying means.

42. A method as claimed in Claim 41 in which peats of at least three different moisture contents are simultaneously blended on 25 the conveying means.

43. A method as claimed in Claim 42 in which peats of at least four different moisture contents are simultaneously blended on the 22 conveying means.

44. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the wet peats is wet black peat.

45. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least 5 one of the wet peats is wet sphagnum peat.

46. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the wet peats is deep dug black peat.

47. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which at least one of the dry peats is dry milled sphagnum peat.

48. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which peat of moisture content above 8511. by weight constitutes at least 10% by weight of the peat blend.

49. A method as claimed in any preceding claim in which peat of moisture content above 70% by weight constitutes at least 50% by weight of the peat blend.

50. A method for blending relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, the method being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

51. Apparatus for blending a relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter,.the apparatus comprising an upwardly inclined conveying means defining an upwardly inclined conveying plane along which the wet peat and the dry matter are urged, and a tumbling means extending transversely across the conveying means adjacent an upper downstream end thereof for engaging and tumbling the wet peat and the dry matter on the conveying means for blending thereof, the conveying means-being perforated for permitting the peat blend to pass therethrough.

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52. Apparatus as claimed in Clai m 51 in which the tumbling means defines an abutment surface for engaging the peat and the dry matter, the abutment surface defining an abutment plane inclined upwardly away from conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

53. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 52 in which the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle in the range of 90' to 160 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

54. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 53 in which the abutment plane 10 isinclined at a working angle in the range of 1000 to 140 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means.

55. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 54 in which the abutment plane is inclined at a working angle of approximately 120 to the conveying plane defined by the conveying means. 15

56. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 55 in which the tumbling means defines a gap with the conveying means, the width of the gap being in the range of 1 mm to 25 mm.

57. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 56 in which the width of the gap defined by the tumbling means and the conveying means is in the range of 3 mm to 12 mm.

58. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 57 in which the width of the gap defined by the tumbling means and the conveying means is approximately 6 mm.

59. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 58 in which the tumbling means is pivotally mounted and depends from a transversely extending pivot axis and is pivotal from a working condition defining the working angle with the conveying means away from the conveying means for permitting the passage of solid 30 foreign matter therethrough, the tumbling means being spring urged into the working condition.

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60. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 59 in which the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 50 to 500.

61. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 60 in which the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal in the range of 20' to 40.

62. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 61 in which the conveying plane defined by the conveying means is inclined upwardly at an angle to the horizontal of approximately 30.

63. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 62 in which the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 10 metres per minute to 120 metres per minute.

64. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 63 in which the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 60 metres per minute to 100 metres per minute.

65.- Apparatus as claimed in Claim 64 in which the speed of the conveying means is in the range of 65 metres per minute to 75 metres per minute.

66. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 65 in which the tumbling means comprises a tumbling plate.

67. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 66 in which the conveying means comprises an endless conveyor formed by a plurality of transversely extending elongated spaced apart bars for permitting the peat blend to pass therethrough.

68. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 67 in which adjacent bars of the conveyor are interlinked adjacent their respective adjacent opposite ends.

69. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 67 or 68 in which adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance in the range of 10 mm to 60 mm.

70. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 69 in which the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance in the range of 15 mm to 30 mm.

71. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 70 in which the adjacent bars of the conveyor are spaced apart a distance of approximately 20 mm.

72. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 67 to 71 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor lies in the range of 3 mm to 20 mm.

73. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 72 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor lies in the range of 6 mm to 16 mm.

74. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 73 in which the maximum transverse cross-sectional dimension of each bar of the conveyor is approximately 8 mm.

75. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 67 to 74 in which the bars of the conveyor are of circular transverse cross-section.

76. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 75 in which a grading screen is located beneath the conveying means for grading the peat blend from the conveying means.

77. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 76 in which a delivery chute is provided extending from the grading screen for delivering the graded peat blend from the grading screen.

78. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 77 in which the 26 apparatus comprises a main framework, the conveying means being located in the main framework, and-the tumbling means being carried on the main framework.

79. Apparatus for blending a relatively wet peat with relatively dry matter, the apparatus being substantially as described herein. with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

80. A peat blend comprising a relatively wet peat and relatively dry matter, the peat blend being prepared using the method as clAimed in any of Claims 1 to 50.

81. A peat blend as claimed in Claim 80 in which the peat blend is prepared using the apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 51 to 79.

82. Peat blends substantially as described herein with reference to the examples. 15