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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #284267
Title: Microwave drying of seed cotton

Author
item Baker, Kevin

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2012
Publication Date: 7/31/2012
Citation: Baker, K.D. 2012. Microwave drying of seed cotton. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Presentation ONLY; Number 121337611.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A small lab dryer was designed for use in drying seed cotton with components of a microwave generator mounted thereon. The magnetron emitted radiation directly into the seed cotton and a fan directed air cross-flow to the radiation direction. The microwave components were a 1.1 kW magnetron, transformer, diode and capacitor. Operational problems with the dryer prevented the full experiment to be conducted by the time of the presentation. Seed cotton near the magnetron antenna dried quickly and started to smolder in five minutes. A redesign of the dryer is underway, in which airflow direction will be concurrent with radiation direction.