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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #342427
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre- and Post-Harvest Processing

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: Microwave bale moisture sensing: Field trial continued

Author
item Pelletier, Mathew

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/4/2005
Publication Date: 1/4/2005
Citation: Pelletier, M.G. 2005. Microwave bale moisture sensing: Field trial continued. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. pp.643-647.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A microwave moisture measurement technique was developed at the USDA, ARS Cotton Production and Processing Research Unit for moisture sensing of cotton bales after the bale press. The technique measures the propagation delay of a microwave signal that is transmitted through the cotton bale. This research conducted a controlled laboratory experiment as well as a field trial to test the sensor in a commercial cotton gin that is utilizing moisture restoration systems. The laboratory test’s accuracy was found to be 0.35% moisture content. The field trial produced similar results on commercial cotton bales. These results indicate the sensor has the potential to provide a reliable non-contact measurement of the moisture content of cotton bales, even with moisture restoration systems.