Author
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Le, Sanh |
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Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2007 Publication Date: 7/1/2007 Citation: Le, S. 2007. Impact of a Saw-type Lint Cleaner's Operation on Fiber Quality. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. CD ROM pp. 720-727. Interpretive Summary: Saw-type lint cleaners are widely used and generally recognized as the most efficeint lint cleaners in the ginning industry. Because of their popularity, a small improvement in their performance will produce substantial benefits to the ginning industry. Further guidance for ginners is needed to enable them to capitalize on these improvements. A study was conducted for two seasons to build models to predict the performance and fiber quality produced by saw-type lint cleaners based on their operational parameters. The study found that moisture content and variety are the dominant effects on the performance of saw-type lint cleaners. Model equations derived for turnout, percent lint cleaner waste and cleaning efficiency showed the linear relationship among the paramenters investigated. The smooth-leaf variety yields higher turnout at low speed and high moisture. High cleaning efficiency precipitated high waste. The models also include prediction of fiber grade properties, namely brightness (reflectance) and yellowness (+b). Working within the range of parameters investigated, the models provide ginners a comprehensive tool to operate saw-type lint cleaners effectively with predictable fiber quality. As a result, farmer profits will be improved. Technical Abstract: The saw-type lint cleaner is the primary method of cleaning lint at gins. Two one-year studies were conducted to examine fiber quality properties produced by a saw-type lint cleaner in response to variations in: feed rate, saw speed, combing ratio, variety and lint moisture. One hairy-leaf and two smooth-leaf varieties were used in the studies. Lint moisture and variety were the dominant factors that effected fiber quality. The smooth-leaf variety cleaned under low lint moisture conditions had shorter fiber with higher reflectance. When operated at low saw speed conditions, the cleaner increased turnout, lowered cleaning efficiency, and decreased cleaner waste. At high combing ratio conditions, the cleaner increased cleaning efficiency and short fiber content. |
