Wood Preparation

Objective: a general overview of the storage and handling of wood as it arrives at the mill.

Important Concepts
Debarking
Chipping
Uniformity

Debarking
1. Chips must be free of dirt, bark and metal.
2. Removal is by friction.
3. Brooming can cause losses (4-5%).
4. Bark usually burned for heat (energy).
Chipping
1. Uniformity is mandatory.
2. Screeming operations monitor size.
3. Chipping can occur at logging site.
Storage
1. Chips are easier than logs.
2. Wood decay is unavoidable---ray cells respire, chip pile temperature increases. Bacteria and fungi can also cause chip pile temperature increases. First-in-first-out rule.

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