Decortication system and process

Abstract

A decortication system includes a feeder configured to convey unoriented fiber-bearing plant stalks in a bulk mass and a decorticator assembly comprising a multi-stage decorticator assembly. The decorticator assembly includes at least a first stage decorticator and a second stage decorticator arranged in series with one another. The first stage decorticator comprises a ripper that is configured to separate stalks from the bulk mass delivered by the feeder and to meter movement of stalks away from the ripper. The second stage decorticator is located downstream of the ripper and further decorticates the stalks to produce fiber and hurd that are separated from one another. It may comprise a roller-roller breaker assembly comprising plurality of roller-breaker assemblies located in series with one another. A third stage decorticator may be located downstream of the second stage decorticator and may comprise a second roller-breaker assembly.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0001]The invention relates generally to the decortication of plant stalks and, more particularly, relates a machine and process capable of rapidly obtaining fibers and hurd from bulk masses of unoriented plant stalks at high volumes and high rates.2. Discussion of the Related Art[0002]Decorticators, sometimes called decortication machines, have long been used for stripping the outer skin, bast fiber or rinds of stalks or stems of plants for various reasons. For example, decorticators are widely used to separate the outer fibrous layer from the inner hurd of stalks of hemp, ramie, flax, kenaf, or jute from the inner hurd of the stalk. Fibers obtained from the outer layers can then be used to make twine, rope, and textiles for myriad uses, and the inner hurd can be used, for example, as animal bedding.[0003]Hand decortication was the only available method until the industrial revolution. The most commonly employed method was to stri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a system that can easily change or remove roller sets that are used in a machine. This allows for quick maintenance or replacement of parts.

Problems solved by technology

This hammering undesirably weakens the fibers.

It also pulverizes the hurd into a generally powdery substance that is ill-suited for use as animal bedding.

However, roller-breaker decorticators such as the Schlichten machine have several limitations.

For example, currently known roller-breaker machines are only semi-automatic because the stalks must be manually fed into the machine in relatively small bundles of stalks that are one layer thick and oriented to extend lengthwise of the machine.

This requirement lowers production rates to on the order of 1-3 tons per hour and increases labor costs.

Still additionally, previously-known roller-breaker decorticators capable of operating on a scale of anything over a few hundred pounds per hour were not mobile.

Still further, previously-known roller-breaker decorticators could not be readily modified to handle different stalk characteristics.

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