Bast stalk alignment feed and decortication system

A method comprising steps of:

• providing an apparatus comprising:
• a plurality of rotating spindles disposed horizontally over a horizontal bed configured to receive plant stalks on an upper surface of the bed, wherein each spindle extends transversely across the bed in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the bed that is parallel to a direction of conveyance along the bed, wherein each spindle has a plurality of radially extending blades attached to the spindle in a spaced relation along a length of the spindle, wherein a lowermost edge of each of the blades of each spindle is disposed above the bed, wherein the blades are configured to convey the plant stalks along the upper surface of the bed in the direction of conveyance, wherein a clearance between the bed and the lowermost edge of each of the blades of each spindle is sized to allow the plant stalks to contact both the bed and the lowermost edge of each of the blades of each spindle, wherein the plurality of spindles are arranged along the direction of conveyance so that the blades of each spindle are intermeshed with the blades of an adjacent spindle, wherein each spindle is configured to rotate in a same rotational direction,
• a pair of rotating opposing crushing rollers each disposed in a position transverse to the bed, wherein each of the pair of crushing rollers is configured to rotate in an opposite direction of an opposing one of the crushing rollers, and wherein the pair of crushing rollers is disposed downstream of the plurality of rotating spindles along the direction of conveyance, wherein the pair of crushing rollers has a plurality of longitudinal grooves in an external surface of each respective one of the pair of crushing rollers, wherein the longitudinal grooves are spaced around a circumference of each respective one of the pair of crushing rollers, and
• a pair of rotating opposing breakers each disposed in a position transverse to the bed, wherein each of the pair of breakers comprises a plurality of spaced blades each attached to a rod and extending longitudinally along a length of the rod and radially outward from the rod around a circumference of the rod, wherein each of the pair of breakers is configured to rotate in an opposite direction of an opposing one of the breakers, wherein the pair of breakers are positioned relative to each other so that the blades of each respective one of the pair of breakers are intermeshed with the blades of an opposing one of the breakers, and wherein the pair of breakers is disposed downstream of the pair of crushing rollers along the direction of conveyance;
• causing each spindle to rotate simultaneously in the same rotational direction;
• feeding plant stalks onto the bed in the direction of conveyance so that the plant stalks contact the blades of a first spindle of the plurality of spindles, wherein the rotating plurality of spindles cause the plant stalks to be conveyed on the bed along the direction of conveyance to the pair of crushing rollers and to become longitudinally aligned with the axis of the bed;
• causing the pair of crushing rollers to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions, thereby causing the plant stalks to pass between the pair of crushing rollers so that the pair of crushing rollers crush the plant stalks;
• feeding the plant stalks from the crushing rollers to the breakers;
• and
• causing the pair of breakers to rotate simultaneously in opposite directions, thereby causing the crushed plant stalks to pass between the pair of breakers so that the pair of breakers break a hurd portion of the plant stalks into shorter lengths.