Wood treatment method and apparatus employing detachable bundle support

A system for treating wood, said system comprising:

• a first wood treatment vessel for receiving at least one bundle of wood, said first wood treatment vessel comprising a first door;
• a second wood treatment vessel for receiving said bundle of wood, said second wood treatment vessel comprising a second door;
• and
• a bundle transport system for moving said bundle of wood into and out of said first and said second wood treatment vessels via said first and said second doors,
• wherein said bundle transport system comprises a first cart, a second cart, and at least one bundle support structure for supporting said bundle of wood,
• wherein said first cart is operable to introduce said bundle of wood and said bundle support structure into said first wood treatment vessel through said first door, wherein at least one of said first and said second carts is operable to remove said bundle of wood and said bundle support structure from said first wood treatment vessel and load said bundle of wood and said bundle support structure into said second wood treatment vessel through said second door.

A process for treating wood, said process comprising:

• (a) placing at least one bundle of wood onto a bundle support structure;
• (b) introducing said bundle of wood and said bundle support structure into a first wood treatment vessel using a first cart, wherein said bundle of wood and said bundle support structure are supported on said first cart during said introducing;
• (c) removing said first cart from said first wood treatment vessel, while leaving said bundle of wood and said bundle support structure in said first wood treatment vessel;
• and
• (d) treating said bundle of wood in said first wood treatment vessel while said bundle of wood remains on said bundle support structure and while said first cart remains outside said first wood treatment vessel, thereby providing a treated bundle of wood supported on said bundle support structure.