Steam pressing apparatuses, systems, and methods

A method for autonomously operating a steam pressing apparatus for forming a working material into a predetermined profile, comprising the steps of:

• receiving an indication at an automated control system operatively connected to the steam pressing apparatus to initiate a pressing process;
• based on the indication received at the automated control system, initiating operation of a steam injection system operatively connected to the steam pressing apparatus for distributing steam into the steam pressing apparatus;
• injecting steam at a predetermined pressure into the steam pressing apparatus;
• transmitting a command from the automated control system to a hydraulic system operatively connected to the steam pressing apparatus to effectuate movement of at least one interior pressing member within the steam pressing apparatus;
• and
• initiating movement of the at least one interior pressing member for pressing the working material into the predetermined profile.

A modular steam pressing apparatus, comprising:

• a plurality of parallelepiped sections laterally conjoined together to form an autoclave of a predetermined length, wherein each of the plurality of parallelepiped sections comprise:
• an individual length less than the predetermined length;
• at least one interior pressing member in a predetermined orientation for pressing a working material inside the autoclave into a predetermined profile;
• a hydraulic system for effectuating the movement of the at least one interior pressing member;
• and
• a steam injection system, wherein pressurized steam is injected into the modular steam pressing apparatus at a predetermined steam pressure,
• whereby at least one parallelepiped section can be laterally added or removed from the modular steam pressing apparatus to extend or shorten the modular steam pressing apparatus to the predetermined length.