The Preparation of Plantation RubberMorgan, Sidney
Science
The Preparation of Plantation Rubber
Morgan, Sidney
Rubber
The novelty in design lies in the utilisation of external platforms upon
which the racks of bars supporting the sheets of rubber may be drawn out of
the smoking chambers, and on which the racks are loaded and unloaded. By
this device it is possible to remove the contents of any compartment bodily
without interfering with the continuity of curing in the other
compartments. That is to say, smoking in such a house can proceed day and
night if necessary, and yet the rubber in any part of the house can be
examined, can be removed, or can be replaced without cessation of smoking.
It will be seen from the illustrations that the house is more or less of
the same general design as the "Third Mile" type, with the addition of
external platforms. It has two storeys for the reception of rubber; and a
basal furnace-room with sloping sides converging downwards into a pit
containing a large drum-furnace. This is mounted on a low truck, and
travels on a short length of railway.
[Illustration: GENERAL VIEW OF DOUBLE "DEVON" TYPE OF SMOKE-HOUSE.
The platforms are common to both units. Building of brick with iron roof
(Batu Caves Estate).]
Each of the curing-rooms is divided into four compartments (making eight
compartments in all). These are closed by swing doors, each of which is the
full width of a compartment, and has a slight overlapping edge. Through
these doors light railways run into the house and out upon the platforms.
On the rails "bays" of racks run, and when fully loaded they are easily
moved. The racks were designed with a frame of stout hard wood, but light
angle-iron could be utilised.
[Illustration: GENERAL VIEW OF DOUBLE "DEVON" SMOKE-HOUSE AND FACTORY
BUILDINGS.
Timber in foreground cut to length for stoking. Note water-tower and engine
cooling-tanks adjacent to factory.]
The chimney style of smoke-vent has an internal butterfly flap, which is
controlled by means of a wire from the outside. In the ordinary course of
smoke-curing, it is advised that this flap should be permanently open so as
to reduce the possibility of internal condensation of moisture and
creosotic matter. The exact degree to which it should be open must be found
by experience.
[Illustration: VIEW OF PLATFORM OF "DEVON" SMOKE-HOUSE; DOORS OF
COMPARTMENTS OPEN, AND ONE RACK PARTIALLY WITHDRAWN.
Note below each rack opening through which smoke rises, covered with wire
netting.]
Although reference has been made several times to compartments, it should
be understood that the chambers are not subdivided internally by means of
partitions. There exists only the external effect of compartments in the
form of the eight swinging doors which allow for the withdrawal of, or
insertion of, any one unit of racks at any time without interference with
the bulk of the rubber.
[Illustration: DOUBLE "DEVON" SMOKE-HOUSE OF BRICK, WITH ROOF OF CHINESE
TILES, SHOWING LOADING PLATFORMS WITH RACKS WITHDRAWN FROM SMOKING
CHAMBERS.
Federated Engineering Co., Ltd., Kuala Lumpur.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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