Peatehiili

Peatehiili is a term that can refer to several related concepts, primarily in the context of Finnish industrial history and fuel sources. It is most commonly understood as charcoal, particularly the type produced for industrial use. Historically, large-scale charcoal production was a vital industry in Finland, closely linked to iron smelting and other manufacturing processes. The production of peatehiili involved burning wood in kilns to create charcoal, a process that yielded a more efficient and hotter burning fuel than raw wood.

The term can also be associated with peat, a precursor to coal, which is formed from partially decayed vegetation in bogs and mires. While distinct from charcoal, peat has also been used as a fuel source in Finland and other northern European countries, especially for domestic heating and in some industrial applications. The processing and combustion of peat share some similarities with charcoal production in terms of their origins from organic matter and their use as energy sources.

In a broader, less technical sense, "peatehiili" might simply denote a type of fuel derived from organic materials, encompassing both charcoal and, in some contexts, peat. The precise meaning often depends on the historical period and the specific industrial or domestic context being discussed. Understanding peatehiili requires an appreciation of Finland's reliance on natural resources for its industrial development and energy needs.