Author
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Anthony, William |
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Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/17/2005 Publication Date: 4/12/2005 Citation: Anthony, W.S. 2005. New lint cleaner to reduce fiber waste. Journal of Cotton Science. 9:30-40 (2005). Interpretive Summary: Competitive global marketing of cotton produced in the United States is hampered by narrow profits and changing market requirements, especially overseas. During gin processing in the United States, the appearance of the fiber after fiber-seed separation is improved by a saw-type lint cleaner. Other countries use less processing machinery. Unfortunately the improved appearance is achieved at the expense of the loss of about 20 pounds of material per bale, mostly fiber. In order to remedy the problem of the loss of good fiber, a new lint cleaner was developed and patented. Four studies were conducted to validate the operational characteristics of the experimental lint cleaner - two at a research facility and two at a commercial gin. Results at the research gin indicated that about 10 pounds of additional good fiber was retained by the experimental lint cleaner and the fiber properties were the same for the experimental and standard lint cleaners. The experimental lint cleaner operated for two full seasons (10,000 bales) at a commercial gin without operational problems. Fiber properties of the cotton from the experimental lint cleaner equaled or exceeded those of the standard lint cleaner. Use of the experimental lint cleaner will increase the value of the 20 million bales of U.S. cotton about $6 per bale. Technical Abstract: Several cleaning machines are required to prepare cotton for marketing. One of those machines, the saw-type lint cleaner, improves the appearance of ginned lint by removing foreign matter, motes, cottonseed, and other undesirable material. Unfortunately, the saw-type lint cleaner also removes about as much good fiber as it does undesirable material. One stage of lint cleaning typically removes about 9.1 kg (20 lbs) of material. An experimental lint cleaner (ELC) designed to reduce the loss of good fiber and maintain fiber quality in the bale was developed, patented, and field tested. Studies to validate the operational characteristics of the ELC were conducted at a research facility and at a commercial gin. Results at the research gin indicated that about 6 pounds of additional good fiber was retained by the ELC when compared to standard models Sixteen D and 24D lint cleaner with no significant difference in High Volume Instrument (HVI) or Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS)-measured properties. The ELC operated for two full seasons at a commercial gin without operational problems and processed about 10,000 bales. Measured HVI and AFIS-parameters of the baled lint from the ELC equaled or exceeded those of the standard lint cleaner. |
