Author
|
Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2005 Publication Date: 6/30/2005 Citation: Holt, G.A. 2005. Results from optimization studies performed on the powered roll gin stand - Report 1. In: Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 4-7, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana. p. 821-833. 2005 CDROM. Interpretive Summary: The powered roll gin stand was evaluated in a commercial cotton gin in an effort to determine the optimal operational settings of the paddle roll speed, seed finger roll speed, and paddle roll loading rate. Testing was conducted on a Continental Double Eagle-141 gin stand in order to optimize the powered roll gin stand's operational components for optimal production rate, lint turnout, and fiber properties. Thirteen response variables were incorporated into a face-centered response surface design using three operational levels of the three factors. The saw speed was maintained at a constant 724 rpm based on results from previous tests. Results from the optimization study indicated various optimal solutions depending on the emphasis placed on the various response variables. For example, when AFIS length, short fiber content, ginning rate, and Rd were the main inputs used for optimization, the optimal setting was: paddle roll speed = 230 rpm, paddle roll load = 25 amps, and seed finger speed = 10 rpm. However, when all thirteen response variables were used as inputs, the optimal setting was: paddle roll speed = 180 rpm, paddle roll load = 23.8 amps, and seed finger speed = 40 rpm. These responses indicate the compromise that exists with any optimization procedure. Technical Abstract: The powered roll gin stand has been evaluated in numerous studies in regards to increases in lint turnout and ginning rate without adversely affecting fiber quality properties. In some cases improvements in fiber quality over conventional gin stands were noted. However, the question remained as to what speed the various components of the power roll gin stand should be operated to optimize performance. The three main components of the power roll gin stand are: paddle roll, seed finger roll, and saw speed. This paper presents the results of an optimization study conducted on a power roll gin stand operating at a commercial cotton gin during the 2003-04 ginning season. The results are based on lint samples taken after one stage of lint cleaning, seed samples, and performance data. Of the thirteen response variables evaluated, four variables resulted in significant models: fiber length, short fiber content, ginning rate, and Rd (reflectance). Several optimal solutions were obtained based on the input factors used in the evaluation. When including all response variables in the analysis, the optimal operational settings for a Continental Double Eagle 141 were: paddle roll speed = 180 rpm, paddle roll loading = 23.8 amps, and seed finger speed = 40 rpm. The saw speed was held constant at 724 rpm. |
