Apparatus and method for processing green fibrous plant stalks, with plant split longitudinally, exposed hurd segmented and fibre separated form hurd segements

摘要

A method and apparatus for processing a green plant stalk (90) having a fibrous outer part and an inner hurd. Stalk (90) is split longitudinally with knife-splitter (54) to expose the hurd. Split stalk portion (92) then passes through the nip of externally fluted conditioner roller (56) and smooth-surfaced anvil roller (58) to divide the exposed hurd into segments, and the fibre is separated from the hurd with decorticator (80).