Author
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Le, Sanh |
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Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 3/7/2008 Publication Date: 11/1/2008 Citation: Le, S. 2008. Lint Cleaning with Two Air-jet Cleaners in Series. Journal of Cotton Science. 12: 246-252. Interpretive Summary: Domestic consumption of cotton has been in decline in recent years not because of a drop in popularity of cotton but due to the migration of the textile indutry overseas. The United States cotton industry now depends on a global market, especially Asia, for up to two thirds of its annual production. Because the spinning equipment employed in Asia requires strong and long staple fiber, we need to develop new processing equipment to improve fiber quality and preserve staple length to remain competitive. Air-jet lint cleaners are known for their gentle cleaning and preservation of fiber properties. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of two air-jet cleaners connected in series. The air-jet cleaners were connected such that the fiber stream could be cleaned on one side or both sides. The effect of flow velocity on cleaning performance was also examined. In comparison to the baseline saw-type lint cleaner, which was the most efficient cleaner, the air-jet cleaners plus a special saw-type cleaner with only one cleaning point ranked second in cleaning performance, and the air-jet cleaners were the least efficient cleaner. However, this cleaner configuration was the least aggressive; it generated the fewest fiber entanglements (neps) and had slightly longer fiber. Cleaning both sides of the fiber stream at higher flow velocity also gained eight percentage points in cleaning efficiency. Technical Abstract: A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of two air-jet cleaners connected in series. The air-jet cleaners were connected so that the fiber stream could be cleaned on one side or both sides. The effect of flow velocity on cleaning performance was also examined. In comparison to the baseline saw-type lint cleaner, which was the most efficient cleaner, the air-jet cleaners plus a special saw-type cleaner with only one cleaning point ranked second in cleaning performance, and the air-jet cleaners were the least efficient cleaners. However, this cleaner configuration was the least aggressive; it generated the fewest neps and had slightly longer fiber. Comparing to cleaning only one side of the fiber stream, cleaning both sides at higher flow velocity resulted in eight percentage point improvement in cleaning efficiency. |
