Diagram of a simple Sap Displacement
Treatment (SDT) system.  Culms up to 5
meters in length can be treated in as little as
20 minutes if freshly harvested. Low cost,
speed, portabilty and simplicity are some of
the greatest advantages of this system.  
Also know as the Boucherie method after Dr.
Boucherie who invented it in 1839.

The culm cap is fitted over the fresh culm
and clamped air tight.  The remaining air
is released through the bleed valve and
then closed.  The individual valve is
opened allowing the chemical treatment
to flow into the culm. This setup allows for
continuous treatment as each culm may
be treated separately,

The air compressor provides the low
pressure level needed (between 1.3 and 1.6
BAR) to provide proper flow of the chemical
treatment. A manual pump may be used to
decrease cost and increase portability

A tray collects sap and
chemical solution.  The
sap can  be disposed of
while the chemical
treatment residue must
be collected and reused
or disposed of properly.

After treatment, culms should
be stored horizontally and
slowly brought to an average
humidity of 8% to 10% over
several weeks.  Drying too
fast can cause splitting.