ARS | Publication request: MEASUREMENT CONCEPTS IN A GIN PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEM, 1996

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 18, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: The processes which are performed in a cotton gin include cleaning and drying the cotton. Cotton should be cleaned and dried differently, depending on the color of the cotton, the trash content of the cotton, and the moisture content of the cotton; however, technology is not available commercially to "prescription" clean and dry cotton. Thus, a computer-based system to measure the color, trash level, and moisture content of cotton as it is being processed, ascertain the optimum machinery sequence and automatically direct the cotton to the proper machine was installed in 1994. Control of the lint cleaning machinery was achieved in 1994. Control of the seed-cotton cleaning machinery was added in 1995, and control of both cleaning and drying were achieved in 1996. The system was successfully used while ginning over 40,000 bales during 1996. Implementation of the technology in the United States will substantially improve farmer profits ($10 to $20 per bale) and the quality of cotton.

Technical Abstract: A computer-based system to control drying and cleaning machinery selection in commercial gins was installed at Servico Gin in Courtland, AL, in 1994. Directional valves for seed cotton diversion were added in 1995, and a new color/trash measurement system was installed in 1996. This system is now the most complete computerized gin process control system in the world. This gin has operated with some of the process control components for three ginning seasons, processing 40,500 bales in 1996. This paper describes the measurement components of the system and how they relate to process control.