Wood treatment method and apparatus employing vessel with bundle stabilization system

A process for chemically modifying wood, said process comprising:

• (a) introducing at least one bundle of wood into a chemical modification vessel;
• (b) securing said bundle of wood within the interior of said chemical modification vessel using a bundle hold-down device physically coupled to a wall of said chemical modification vessel, wherein said bundle hold-down device contacts at least a portion of an upper surface of said bundle of wood to thereby provide a secured bundle of wood;
• and
• (c) chemically modifying said secured bundle of wood in said chemical modification vessel to thereby provide a chemically-modified bundle of wood,
• wherein during said chemically modifying of step (c) said bundle hold-down device exerts a downward force on said at least a portion of said upper surface of said bundle of wood.

A process for chemically modifying wood, said process comprising:

• (a) introducing at least one bundle of wood into a chemical modification vessel;
• (b) securing said bundle of wood in the interior of said chemical modification vessel by contacting an upper surface of said bundle of wood with at least one bundle hold-down device to thereby provide a secured bundle of wood;
• (c) introducing a liquid reagent into said chemical modification vessel to at least partially submerge said secured bundle of wood in said liquid reagent;
• and
• (d) automatically adjusting the position of said bundle hold-down device with a control system based on a change in one or more dimensions of said secured bundle of wood.