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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #338339
Research Project: Improved Quality Assessments of Cotton from Fiber to Final Products

Location: Cotton Structure and Quality Research

Title: Laboratory microwave measurement of the moisture content in seed cotton and ginned cotton fiber

Author
item RODGERS III, JAMES
item ZUMBA, JIMMY - OAK RIDGE INSTITUTE FOR SCIENCE AND EDUCATION (ORISE)

Submitted to: Proceedings Of The American Association Of Textile Chemists And Colorists
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2017
Publication Date: 3/22/2017
Citation: Rodgers III, J.E., Zumba, J. 2017. Laboratory microwave measurement of the moisture content in seed cotton and ginned cotton fiber. Proceedings of the AATCC International Conference. Wilmington, NC, March 28-30,2017. . Proceedings Of The American Association Of Textile Chemists And Colorists. p. 532-537.

Interpretive Summary: The measurement of cotton fiber moisture content is important, but the measurement is often performed by laborious, time-consuming laboratory oven drying methods. Microwave technology for measuring fiber moisture content directly offers potential advantages, but until recently most of the applications have focused primarily on cotton bales. Small microwave instruments have been introduced for laboratory measurements of fiber moisture content. Methods were first developed for the moisture content of lint (ginned fiber) and then expanded to seed cotton (before ginning; the process of separating the fiber from the cotton seed). Microwave results for lint and seed cotton were in good agreement with oven drying method results. The microwave analyses were fast, accurate, easy to perform, and required minimal sample preparation.

Technical Abstract: The timely and accurate measurement of cotton fiber moisture content is important, but the measurement is often performed by laborious, time-consuming laboratory oven drying methods. Microwave technology for measuring fiber moisture content directly (not for drying only) offers potential advantages, but until recently most of the applications have focused on on-line measurements (e.g., cotton bales). Small microwave instruments have been introduced for laboratory measurements of fiber moisture content. Methods were first developed for the moisture content of lint (ginned fiber) and then expanded to seed cotton (before ginning). Microwave results for lint and seed cotton were in good agreement with oven drying method results. The microwave analyses were fast, accurate, easy to perform, and required minimal sample preparation.