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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #78083

Title: PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE CLEANING OF GIN MOTES

Author
item Anthony, William

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/18/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Some cleaning machines in cotton gins remove usable fiber called "lint cleaner waste" or "motes" at a rate of about 25 pounds per 500 pound bale of cotton. Gins clean and market the motes using experience that is not substantiated by research. As a result, the full value of the motes are not always achieved. This study evaluated different types and levels of cleaning and their impact on final grade and value of the product. Result indicated that more seed cotton cleaners and fewer lint cleaners should be used to produce more marketable motes at a higher value. Profits can be increased significantly if the results of this study are implemented industry-wide.

Technical Abstract: This report compared the value added to "motes" by various cleaning machine sequences at the gin. Three studies were conducted. Study 1 confirmed the typical amount of lint cleaner waste produced by two lint cleaners as 28.8 pounds per bale. Study 2 established typical waste remaining after minimum cleaning of one cylinder cleaner as 69.6% and progressively decreased to 39.9, 30.9, and 27% as one, two and three stage of lint cleaning were added. Study 2 also indicated that additional cylinder cleaners might be advantageous to provide more cleaning of the raw material before lint cleaning; this would reduce the wear on the lint cleaners which also increases fiber loss. Monetary value, based on 28.8 pounds of motes per bale increased from $1.58 to $4.20 per bale as lint cleaners were added. The studies collectively indicate that the monetary profits from lint cleaner waste vary substantially and that additional research is required to establish firm guidance.