ARS | Publication request: INVESTIGATION OF EXPERIMENTAL LINT CLEANER

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: June 12, 2004
Publication Date: June 12, 2004
Citation: Anthony, W.S. 2004. Investigation of experimental lint cleaner. In: Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 4-6, 2004, San Antonio, Texas, CD ROM p. 953-964.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton produced in the United States is marketed as bales of cotton fiber (lint) weighing about 500 pounds as compared to much of the world production of cotton that is marketed in the pre-ginned form as seed cotton. During gin processing, the appearance of the fiber after fiber-seed separation is improved by a saw-type lint cleaner. Unfortunately the improved appearance is achieved at the expense of the loss of about 20 pounds of material per bale, mostly fiber. In order to remedy the problem of the loss of good fiber, a new lint cleaner was developed and patented. Two studies were conducted to validate the operational characteristics of the experimental lint cleaner, one at a research facility and another at a commercial gin. Results at the research gin indicated that about 6 pounds of additional good fiber was retained by the experimental lint cleaner and the fiber properties were the same for the experimental and standard lint cleaners. The experimental lint cleaner operated for a full season at a commercial gin without operational problems, and measured fiber properties of the fiber from the experimental lint cleaner generally equaled or exceeded those of the standard lint cleaner. Use of the experimental lint cleaner will increase the value of the 20 million bales of U.S cotton about $4 per bale.

Technical Abstract: The saw-type lint cleaner improves the appearance of ginned lint by removing foreign matter, motes, cottonseed, and other undesirable material. Unfortunately, it also removes about as much good fiber as it does undesirable material. One stage of lint cleaning typically removes about 20 pounds of material. An experimental lint cleaner was developed and patented to reduce the loss of good fiber and maintain fiber quality in the bale. Two studies were conducted to validate the operational characteristics of the experimental lint cleaner, one at a research facility and another at a commercial gin. Results at the research gin indicated that about 6 pounds of additional good fiber was retained by the experimental lint cleaner when compared to standard lint cleaner with no significant difference in High Volume Instrument (HVI) or Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS)-measured properties. The experimental lint cleaner operated for a full season at a commercial gin without operational problems. Measured HVI and AFIS-parameters of the baled lint from the experimental lint cleaner generally equaled or exceeded those of the standard lint cleaner.