Hemp separation methods and apparatus

A method for obtaining purified inner hurd from hemp plant stalks comprising the steps of:

• a) introducing harvested hemp plant stalks into a top of an initial separation apparatus comprising:
• i) three rotating saw cylinders, each of said rotating saw cylinders having an exterior surface and comprising a plurality of blades, with each of the plurality of blades having a plurality of teeth thereon, and
• ii) three fiber removal brushes, of each said three brushes adjacent to a corresponding one of said three saw cylinders;
• b) separating inner and outer fibers of the plant stalks by:
• i) passing the stalks between the plurality of teeth of a first of said saw cylinders and underneath a first of said brushes, such that separated outer fibers are removed and inner fibers drop away from said first saw cylinder;
• ii) passing the inner fibers that drop away from said first saw cylinder between the plurality of teeth of a second of said saw cylinders and underneath a second of said brushes, such that additional outer fibers are removed and inner fibers drop away from said second saw cylinder;
• iii) passing the inner fibers that drop away from said second saw cylinder between the plurality of teeth of a third of said saw cylinders and underneath a third of said brushes such that more outer fibers are removed and inner fibers drop away from said third saw cylinder and exit from said initial separation apparatus;
• c) sending the inner fibers through a hammer mill for further processing;
• d) sending the processed inner fibers from said hammer mill to a lower end of a scrubber comprising a trough having an adjustable incline, the trough having an elongated bottom, elongated sides and an elongated open top and a mesh having diamond-shaped openings therein along a bottom surface of said trough, and a rotatable auger extending axially through said trough;
• and
• e) rotating said auger to urge said processed inner fibers upward through said inclined trough causing purified smaller hurd to drop through said mesh and larger fibers to be carried upward.