Open AccessBamboo culm vertical lever flattening mechanism with sodium bicarbonate softening process
Author(s) -
A. H. Atienza,
A. Alba,
D. A. Respicio,
M. A. Baratang
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
iop conference series. materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1757-899X
pISSN - 1757-8981
DOI - 10.1088/1757-899x/1109/1/012056
Subject(s) - bamboo , flattening , sodium bicarbonate , softening , materials science , composite material , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , engineering
Some constructions require flattening bamboo culms to be used for constructing flat surfaces. With such need for flattened bamboo culms, the aim of this research is to develop a cost-effective and novel way of flattening bamboo culms for the species, Schizostachyum lumampao or buho, by integrating a softening process using sodium bicarbonate water solution and application of steam, then be pressed by a pressing mechanism using counter-bending technique to eliminate spring back effect of the bamboo culm. An open vessel was filled with sodium bicarbonate and water solution tested at concentrations between 15% and 26% by volume and then heated by 1.5 kW immersion heater. Pressure vessel partially filled with water and a 3-kW immersion heater were used to generate steam for the bamboo culm to maintain its flexibility as it is pressed. The bamboo culms reached a mean degree of flatness of 0.91. Thinner “Buho” (bamboo culm) submerged at around 20% of NaHCO 3 concentration was successfully flattened within an average flattening time of ten (10) minutes, similar with thicker bamboo culm but submerged at concentration greater than 20% of NaHCO 3 . The machine had been incorporated with batch-type process and showed an efficiency of 90.75%.