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Abstract

A decortication machine for loosening and separating the core of kenaf or similar stalks from the outer fiber. The machine includes first and second sets of bladed feed rollers which have blades which intermesh to crush and split the bast fiber bark longitudinally and breakup the core of the stalks into short segments. The stalks are then fed into a first set of bladed beater rollers which have blades which intermesh to beat against the bast fiber and loosen and separate the broken core pieces. The machine includes a third set of bladed feed rollers downstream from the first set of bladed beater rollers. The third set of feed rollers further breaks up any remaining core pieces associated with the bast fibers and feed the stalks into a second set of bladed beater rollers. The blades of the second set of bladed beater rollers also intermesh to beat against the fibers and further loosen and separate additional core pieces. The stalks are then fed through a fourth set of bladed feed rollers which further break any core pieces that may remain. The feed rollers are most preferably driven at a linear speed of about 9.2 to about 10.4 feet per second. One roller of each pair of bladed beater rollers is most preferably driven at a linear speed of about 13.1 to about 14.8 feet per second and the other at a linear speed of about 15.7 to about 17.8 feet per second.

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