Debarking of fibrous-barked hardwoods by ultra-high pressure water jets

Summary

Ultra-high pressure water jets, operating at 48 300 kPa through a ring-type No. 6 nozzle with 15° fan and 1.57 mm diameter opening, were used in practical trials for debarking several hardwood species. Eucalyptus paniculata, E. agglomerata, E. acmenioides, E. pilularis and Syncarpia glomulifera were tested, as they are known to be difficult to debark. The effects of these jets on the configuration of the detached bark, were also assessed. Except for E. pilularis, all species were effectively debarked, and a classification was made of the relative difficulty with which various barks were removed. In E. pilularis the bark adhered strongly to the timber, the surface of which was extensively damaged by the water jets. The high pressure water often broke and shattered the bark, which sometimes underwent pronounced defibration. In particular, the bark of E. acmenioides and E. paniculata was broken down into a material, which should be readily utilisable without further processing. Finally, these trials have shown that the design of a small-size hydraulic debarker is feasible and should eventually be a commercially viable proposition.