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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #122391
Title: DUST CYCLONE DESIGN

Author
item Funk, Paul
item Hughs, Sidney
item Holt, Gregory

Submitted to: Applied Engineering in Agriculture
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/18/2001
Publication Date: 8/1/2001
Citation: Funk, P.A., Hughs, S.E., Holt, G.A. Dust Cyclone Design. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 2001. v. 17. p. 441-444.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton gins are under increasing regulatory pressure to reduce dust emissions. Dust cyclones offer both the least expensive initial cost and the lowest operating cost of any abatement alternative. This research explored the interaction between design factors (entrance shape and angle, etc.) and operating parameters (air speed, humidity, etc.) using real cotton gin trash. Entrance air speed had the most significant influence o dust emissions. It also has an impact on energy consumption. Gins can comply with air quality regulations while also saving electricity.

Technical Abstract: Dust cyclones are a cost effective means of treating process air released by cotton gins. Modifications to the currently recommended cyclone design were tested to improve collection efficiency. Factors normally considered uncontrolled (dust loading and relative humidity) were included in a mixed- level fractional factorial experimental design. Pre-weighed gin trash was metered into inlet air. Exhaust air was passed through a filter that was weighed to determine dust loading and collection efficiency. Square and angled inlet modifications lowered cyclone performance. Neutral air tube and expansion chamber modifications were insignificant. Pressure drop increased linearly with increasing air entrance velocity while collection efficiency decreased slightly. Reducing entrance velocity may save energy without adversely affecting performance.