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Evaluation of Mass Flow Rate Sensors for Stripper Harvested Cotton

G. L. Barker, M. G. Pelletier, J. W. Laird and A. D. Brashears


 
ABSTRACT

Mass flow sensors are needed at various locations in the cotton gin if process control is to reach its full potential. Several devices, including belt scales, light array bars and a microwave flow meter were evaluated for their suitability in detecting the flow of cotton and the mass flow rates of stripper harvested cotton. The readout from the truck scales was used to provide the lot weight for the study. Although equipment problems prevented us from testing the accuracy of the scale units under varying rate conditions, these units should provide the most accurate method of measuring mass flow. The mechanical nature of the scale units, however, limit their usefulness in commercial gins which use primarily pneumatic systems to convey the cotton. The microwave based sensor was unsuitable for measuring mass flow but did provide an excellent indication of the presence of flow in the pneumatic pipes. The signal from the light bar array correlated very well with the mass flow rate of the cotton through the pipes (R2 = 0.98) and requires only minor modifications in the conveyance system. All devices need estimates of moisture and trash content to improve accuracy.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 2000 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 1574 - 1577
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Saturday, Jun 17 2000