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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #142922
Title: REDUCTION OF LINT CLEANER NOISE

Author
item GLOVER, CHARLES - E. RITTER GIN CO.
item Anthony, William

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2003
Citation: GLOVER, C., ANTHONY, W.S. REDUCTION OF LINT CLEANER NOISE. NATIONAL COTTON COUNCIL BELTWIDE COTTON CONFERENCE. 2003. CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Noise levels in cotton gins typically exceed 95 dBA and cause worker discomfort, hearing loss and decreased efficiency. Previous research reported methods to decrease noise levels around lint cleaners and gin stands by replacing the brush cylinders that are used to remove fiber from the cleaning saw with a less noisy design. In this study, standard doffing brush cylinders in three Continental Eagle Model 24D lint cleaners were replaced with quiet, solid-wound brush cylinders at a commercial gin in Marked Tree, AR. Noise levels caused by the doffing cylinders were reduced from 93.6 dBA to 78.0 dBA and worker comfort was dramatically improved. Over 40,000 bales of cotton were processed without any operational problems. Adoption of this technology by cotton gins will greatly reduce noise levels; however, the noise from other machines will then become dominant requiring additional research and development.

Technical Abstract: The standard, fan-type doffing brush cylinders in three Continental Eagle Model 24D lint cleaners were replaced with experimental solid-wound brush cylinders at a commercial gin in Marked Tree, AR, in order to evaluate their capability to reduce noise and to survive in the rigorous commercial environment. Noise levels caused by the doffing cylinders were reduced from 93.6 dBA to 78.0 dBA. Most of the noise reduction occurred at octave band center frequencies of 250, 500 and 1,000 hertz. Over 40,000 bales were processed by the three lint cleaners without operational problems. Improved worker comfort in the lint cleaner operational areas strongly support adoption of this technology for all gins.