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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #406312
Research Project: Improving the Production and Processing of Western and Long-Staple Cotton and Companion Crops to Enhance Quality, Value, and Sustainability

Location: Cotton Ginning Research

Title: Impact of pneumatic fractionator process conditions on the lint quality and foreign matter removal

Author
item Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar
item Delhom, Christopher - Chris
item Armijo, Carlos
item Whitelock, Derek
item FUNK, PAUL - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2023
Publication Date: 7/10/2023
Citation: Tumuluru, J., Delhom, C.D., Armijo, C.B., Whitelock, D.P., Funk, P.A. 2023. Impact of pneumatic fractionator process conditions on the lint quality and foreign matter removal. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Presentation only.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Lint cleaning is an important unit operation in cotton processing that removes foreign matter and combs the ginned lint, improving the grade. This is the last unit operation in the ginning process before the lint is baled and sent for further classification and spinning operations. In commercial cotton ginning plants, lint cleaning is accomplished using air-type, and controlled-batt saw-type lint cleaners after ginning. Saw-type lint cleaning systems are excellent at removing foreign material, but negatively impact the fiber length and length uniformity, and increase short fiber content and neps. In the present study the pneumatic fractionator at the USDA-ARS Southwestern Cotton Ginning Research Laboratory (SWCGRL) was used to clean the lint after the ginning process. An Upland cotton variety (FM1911) processed using roller ginning system was used. The process conditions, such as lint moisture (5-12%, w.b.), pressure (40-80 psi) and residence time (15-45 sec), were varied to understand their impact on the lint quality and foreign matter removal during lint cleaning with the fractionator. A central composite experimental design with three factors, three levels, with two center points, was selected. Lint samples after fractionation were analyzed for moisture loss, motes, and total waste (motes and leaf and bark fraction) removed during fractionation. The clean lint generated after each pneumatic fractionator test was analyzed for AFIS and HVI properties. Currently the experimental data analysis is in progress.