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Improved Fiber Quality from Gin Process Control

Joseph M. Yankey


 
ABSTRACT

Improving the basic properties of cotton fibers has long been a goal in the development of seed varieties. Longer, stronger fibers are necessary in the high speed processing in the modern textile mill. Preserving the fiber quality that is inherent in the genetic traits of the plant can also be an approach to improve fiber properties. Many studies have been done over the years that show the influence of the ginning process on cotton fibers.

In 1997 Zellweger Uster, Inc signed an agreement with the USDA to manufacture and market the gin process control system designed by the USDA Stoneville, MS gin laboratory. The system makes real time measurements of color, trash, and moisture. It is also controls the seed cotton and lint cleaner bypass valves. Decision making software algorithms determine optimum process flow based on financial information from a producer loan chart. Monitoring stations are located at the module feeder, after the gin stand and at the battery condenser before the bale press. The stations continuously sample the flow of cotton and measurements are made every six seconds. Information is shown to the ginner via a control console using graphical displays.

In 1997 three beta site gins used the IntelliGin system during the cotton season. During the 1998 season five additional sites installed the system. The gins are located throughout the mid south and southeast. This paper is a report on the results from trials conducted during the 1998 gin season. At each site the gins were operated with and without engaging the IntelliGin system. Tests were conducted by choosing identical modules from the same producer, same field and same seed variety. Modules were processed completely through the gin making sure all the cotton was processed and baled before the second module was processed.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1999 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 676 - 678
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Monday, Jun 21 1999