tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post2565478306290928412..comments2024-03-29T20:24:05.953+11:00Comments on Sydney - City and Suburbs: Pyrmont, Waterfront ParkJimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16361781616939928650noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-9157860046169245732018-11-17T12:47:11.392+11:002018-11-17T12:47:11.392+11:00Thanks for this info Jim, I was just down at Water...Thanks for this info Jim, I was just down at Waterfront Park wondering what the balls were used for. It is sad to think this process using sugar cane waste is not used any more, or is it? I was just thinking of all the toxic glues used in board manufacture these days. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08115123118345751552noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-18858738260190925622018-01-15T13:34:20.301+11:002018-01-15T13:34:20.301+11:00I used to work in the office of Hardboards Austral...I used to work in the office of Hardboards Australia, which was demolished to make way for the units and park.<br /><br />I think I vaguely remember those spheres. I worked there from 1979 to around 1985. Great memories!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07713510070358042545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-22590985927878583712012-11-07T09:28:15.548+11:002012-11-07T09:28:15.548+11:00I am a new resident of Sugardock which overlooks W...I am a new resident of Sugardock which overlooks Waterfront Park.<br /><br />I was told that the Steel Balls were found at the bottom of the harbour and that they were used to crush sugar cane in the earlier part of the 1900's. A good story for the visitors anyway.<br /><br />Thanks for the true story.<br /><br />On the date the balls were manufactured, I suggest that they are probably older than the 1940s as welding techniques had improved remarkably by the 1940s.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-59887647770733749812011-07-18T12:31:20.552+10:002011-07-18T12:31:20.552+10:00Thanks, Juel B. I'll fix up my post with your ...Thanks, Juel B. I'll fix up my post with your info.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16361781616939928650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-20666813656856048692011-07-17T16:11:15.131+10:002011-07-17T16:11:15.131+10:00I was the last Production Manager at the Cane-ite ...I was the last Production Manager at the Cane-ite factory. The spheres were DIGESTERS used for making HARDBOARD, and were not used for Cane-ite or Sugar refining. Cane-ite production (wet-process low density fibre-board originally made from Cane bagasse then from Pine wood chips) ceased in 1991, and did not require Digesters. The factory originally made both Hardboard (like Masonite) - made from eucalypt and other hardwood chips, and Cane-ite. The Hardboard production stopped back in the 1950’s or 60’s. Hardboard doesn’t have any added glues – it uses the natural lignins that are in the wood, by processing a wet mulch (“mat”) of the wood fibre under very high pressure and temperature. Chips were put into the Digesters, which were then filled up with high pressure steam, and then, suddenly, the pressure was released. This caused a massive and rapid expansion of the chips which pretty much “blew them up”, turning them into fibre and releasing the lignin into suspension. These days, I think hardboard is made using pressurized refiners (not digesters), which mechanically grind up the wood-chips to fibre under pressure. For more information see http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch10/final/c10s0604.pdfJuel Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-68292930653252892542011-07-17T16:04:44.437+10:002011-07-17T16:04:44.437+10:00I was the last Production Manager at the Cane-ite ...I was the last Production Manager at the Cane-ite factory. The spheres were DIGESTERS used for making HARDBOARD, and were not used for Cane-ite or Sugar refining. Cane-ite production (wet-process low density fibre-board originally made from Cane bagasse then from Pine wood chips) ceased in 1991, and did not require Digesters, being made from mainly wood pulp (made from the chips) and water (in a process very much like paper manufacture). <br /><br />However, originally the factory made both Hardboard (like Masonite or Hardiplank material – is a wet-process High density fibreboard made from eucalypt and other hardwood chips) and Cane-ite. These were made on different levels of the factory. From memory the Cane-ite was made on level 2 and the Hardboard on level 1, with the vats of “stock” (the wood pulp/water mixture) and white water (the waste water squeezed from the Cane-ite and hardboard) on the ground floor.<br /><br />The Hardboard production stopped back in the 1950’s or 60’s, well before my time (or even before I was born). Hardboard doesn’t actually have any added glues – it uses the natural lignins that are in the wood, by processing a wet mulch (“mat”) of the wood fibre under very high pressure and temperature (the process is unchanged to this day – eg up at the Masonite plant at Raymond Terrace). The role of the Spherical Digesters was crucial in releasing the lignins from the hardwood chips and in converting the chips to fibre (Most “modern” hardboard technology doesn’t use this system any more, however – see below). <br /><br />Chips were put into the Digesters, they were filled up with high pressure steam (hence the need for them to be spherical ie very strong pressure vessels) and then, suddenly, the pressure was released. This caused a massive and rapid expansion of the chips which pretty much “blew them up”, turning them into fibre and releasing the lignin into suspension in the water (that water had condensed come from the steam). <br /><br />You can tell the spheres are very old by the fact they are riveted, not welded. I think this makes them from the 1940’s or even earlier. These days, I think hardboard is made using pressurized refiners (not digesters), which mechanically grind up the wood-chips to fibre under pressure. For more information see http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch10/final/c10s0604.pdf .Juel Bnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-30700170711746763522010-03-01T03:23:50.425+11:002010-03-01T03:23:50.425+11:00wild looking things! Very cool..thanks!wild looking things! Very cool..thanks!kyungmeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00260976452646990221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-57850821257193314632010-02-28T09:49:20.295+11:002010-02-28T09:49:20.295+11:00Gerald, I agree that it looks like they block the ...Gerald, I agree that it looks like they block the view from this angle but they only take up a small part of this park. The park is actually terraced down to the water and has lots of excellent picnic spots and vantage points.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16361781616939928650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-230422050302900702010-02-28T03:41:18.314+11:002010-02-28T03:41:18.314+11:00Interesting sphere. They do seem to be blocking th...Interesting sphere. They do seem to be blocking the view but perhaps that is just due to the angle of your shot and perhaps the view is visible from other vantage points.Gerald (SK14)https://www.blogger.com/profile/18308693910074268386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-25518666135447824722010-02-26T12:58:31.807+11:002010-02-26T12:58:31.807+11:00Wow, amazing objects, they look like giant mines u...Wow, amazing objects, they look like giant mines used in the war to protect the channel. But, yes they were used more peaceful ... they just look great !<br /><br />Erwin.Erwinhttp://antwerpendoordelensandersgezien.skynetblogs.be/post/7695083/skywatch-posting-last-of-winter--ortonhdri#commentsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-1746496921181835212010-02-26T00:49:25.645+11:002010-02-26T00:49:25.645+11:00What a revelation, that you can make particle boar...What a revelation, that you can make particle board from sugarcane!<br /><br />So glad they saved these dramatic containers.Dinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03461925401870320466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-79023278307425652772010-02-25T19:31:16.912+11:002010-02-25T19:31:16.912+11:00How good that they were saved and given a new life...How good that they were saved and given a new life!dodohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01119035168900047097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-25313458468701061462010-02-25T16:44:09.015+11:002010-02-25T16:44:09.015+11:00Amazing what can be used to make parks interesting...Amazing what can be used to make parks interesting these days.diane bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002292118984909883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-35323712524809713652010-02-25T15:12:32.359+11:002010-02-25T15:12:32.359+11:00I had noticed those in an earlier post and wondere...I had noticed those in an earlier post and wondered what they were.Martha Zhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15797951661712327698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-40018802242922681432010-02-25T14:56:35.550+11:002010-02-25T14:56:35.550+11:00They're pretty cool looking!They're pretty cool looking!Claudya Martinezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17034216831504207496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-41389081094103111732010-02-25T13:43:30.589+11:002010-02-25T13:43:30.589+11:00Thanks for the information. This is a great post ...Thanks for the information. This is a great post because it teaches us about your country.Bill S.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17918013366385456020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-52595370741268208682010-02-25T12:09:13.686+11:002010-02-25T12:09:13.686+11:00Robert, they were actually used after the sugar wa...Robert, they were actually used after the sugar was extracted. The remaining cane was chopped up and mixed with other products in these vats. The mixture was then pressed into particle boards to be used in the building of houses, kitchen cabinets, shop fixtures etc.Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16361781616939928650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-35160108102665732492010-02-25T11:46:55.685+11:002010-02-25T11:46:55.685+11:00Rather interesting to see and learn that there are...Rather interesting to see and learn that there are such large "instruments" involved while creating small pieces of sugar.<br /><br />A wonderful Thursday for you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-18301504819616887292010-02-25T10:45:38.581+11:002010-02-25T10:45:38.581+11:00At first look I thought they were submersibles of ...At first look I thought they were submersibles of some kind .. Still they look pretty neatJoe Toddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07960458164425338569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-79119652869675399892010-02-25T10:03:16.853+11:002010-02-25T10:03:16.853+11:00So thats what you two were talking about. Interest...So thats what you two were talking about. Interesting looking beasts, esp like the rusted red.Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03182743312553270315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-91340273120114359362010-02-25T09:49:45.441+11:002010-02-25T09:49:45.441+11:00Have I said I'm fan of outdoor art? Only once ...Have I said I'm fan of outdoor art? Only once or twice, I can hear you say. :)<br /><br />But what I love more is when industrial objects are recycled for art.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02678687120165473412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-45001411358382306002010-02-25T08:12:22.677+11:002010-02-25T08:12:22.677+11:00Jacob, it's interesting that you say that beca...Jacob, it's interesting that you say that because my initial thought too was that they might have been some sort of floating mine, or maybe something else related to the shipping that took place in the area. It's only when Julie suggested that they might have been rum vats, that I investigated further and found out that they actually were caneite vats. <br /><br />Thanks for your contribution Julie. You led me down the right track. Good Sydney teamwork in action. :)Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16361781616939928650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-39382739468502140892010-02-25T07:50:56.117+11:002010-02-25T07:50:56.117+11:00they certainly are a "one of a kind" ins...they certainly are a "one of a kind" installation. :)NatureFootstephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01340635075481959029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-16418961649819818072010-02-25T07:41:18.335+11:002010-02-25T07:41:18.335+11:00I like these, they look like giant mangoesteen :)I like these, they look like giant mangoesteen :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13755278209399870145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34645388.post-80763324394544837352010-02-25T07:18:38.956+11:002010-02-25T07:18:38.956+11:00Those are quite unusual and fun to see. They reall...Those are quite unusual and fun to see. They really stand out against the shoreline.Tammie Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09018402134070834516noreply@blogger.com