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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Cotton Ginning Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #135268
Title: EFFECTS ON FIBER QUALITY OF ADDING MOISTURE AT THE GIN LINT SLIDE

Author
item Anthony, William

Submitted to: Engineered Fiber Selection Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/12/2002
Publication Date: 6/12/2002
Citation: ANTHONY, W.S. EFFECTS ON FIBER QUALITY OF ADDING MOISTURE AT THE GIN LINT SLIDE. ENGINEERED FIBER SELECTION CONFERENCE. 2002. 15 pp.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton is harvested at low moisture contents in many areas of the United States. In those areas as well as more humid areas, cotton is typically further dried to enhance cleaning. However, as the fiber is dried, it becomes more difficult to compress and also weighs less. Many gins add moisture to the cotton after ginning and cleaning and immediately before packaging the bale. If too much moisture is added, the fiber degrades and presents quality and processing problems at the textile mill. This study evaluated the impact of bale moisture at 5 levels (6 to 13%) on fiber quality characteristics during storage for 116 days. Cotton color was the only characteristic that changed significantly. The color grade decreased from Middling to Strict Low Middling Spotted as final bale moisture content increased from 6% to 13%. Moisture levels above 8% degrade color and should be avoided. Adoption of this finding should prevent problems associated with color deterioration and subsequent processing at textile mills.

Technical Abstract: Fiber quality characteristics of cotton bales were measured before and after storage for 116 days. Water was sprayed over the top of the fiber after ginning and cleaning as it came down the lint slide. The bales were then compressed to universal density, sealed in triple polyethylene bags, and stored at atmospheric conditions. Initial moisture content after the water was added ranged from 6% to 15.4%. After storage, the bale in which no over spray had been applied had increased to 6.1% moisture content, and all the other bale moistures had changed substantially. Most fiber quality characteristics except color remained about the same. The HVI color decreased from Middling (31) to Strict Low Middling Spotted (43) as final bale moisture content (after storage) increased from 6.1% to 12.9%.