Project Number: 6235-41000-008-30
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Apr 01, 2009
End Date: Mar 31, 2014

Objective:
The objective is to develop and test a non-contract, online method of predicting the moisture content of seed cotton in the overhead section of the ginning plant. Having an accurate measure of seed cotton moisture content would greatly aid the ginning plant in managing dryer temperatures.

Approach:
Knowing the moisture content of the seed cotton as it comes off the trailer or module would help the ginner manage dryer temperatures more efficiently. Using insufficent heat may not adequately dry the seed cotton, resulting in poor cleaning and ginning in the worst case, may cause choke-ups and possibly damage the machinery. Using too much heat can cause static problems that also may cause choke-ups, and it can make pressing a bale more difficult. But more importantly, too much heat damages the fiber, making it brittle and more prone to breakage. The aim is to use only enough heat to obtain a seed cotton moisture content of 6-7% prior to ginning.