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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #119779
Title: PRELIMINARY THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF LINT CLEANING

Author
item Cook, Clinton
item Anthony, William

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/9/2001
Publication Date: 6/1/2001
Citation: Cook, C.O., Anthony, W.S. 2001. Preliminary theoretical analysis of lint cleaning. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Vol. 2: 1369-1374.

Interpretive Summary: As the number of U.S. cotton gins has decreased, the amount of cotton processed hourly has increased. This increased hourly capacity has made it more difficult for humans to monitor gin machinery. One piece of machinery that is especially critical to cotton ginning is the saw-type lint cleaner. This machine can improve the cotton's value, but the optimum value can only ybe achieved if the machine is operated correctly. A purely theoretical analysis indicated that cotton ginners might be operating lint cleaners incorrectly, resulting in a performance that is far from optimal. To solve this problem and optimize cotton value, mathematical equations could be used in conjunction with computers and sensors to monitor lint cleaner performance. Thus, an experiment was conducted to evaluate whether previously developed mathematical equations could be used. Experimental results indicated that immeasurable parameters (e.g. variety, location, etc.) associated with production hinder the equation's ability to predict lint cleaner waste (a performance measure). Consequently, a real-time mass flow sensor is needed for the measurement of cotton waste. Future work will be conducted toward this end.

Technical Abstract: This research examined the feasibility of using previously developed mathematical equations for the prediction of lint wastage and cleaning efficiency. Experimental results supported the relationships established by these equations, but also indicated that immeasurable parameters associated with production (e.g. variety, location, etc.) hinder the equations' accuracy. Consequently, to maximize processing efficiency, a real-time measurement of lint cleaner waste is needed. A purely theoretical analysis was also conducted and the results indicated that cotton ginners may be using USDA recommendations concerning split stream lint cleaning incorrectly, resulting in a six to seventeen percent reduction in cleaning efficiency.