ARS | Publication request: Charting the collision between a seed coat fragment and newly-designed lint cleaner grid bars

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: January 27, 2011
Publication Date: April 20, 2011
Citation: Armijo, C.B., Whitelock, D.P., Hughs, S.E., Barnes, E.M., Gillum, M.N. 2011. Charting the collision between a seed coat fragment and newly-designed lint cleaner grid bars. Journal of Cotton Science. 15:33-42.

Interpretive Summary: Seed coat fragments that remain in the lint after the ginning process decrease spinning efficiency at the textile mill, and ultimately affect the quality of finished goods. An experiment was conducted to determine how a seed coat fragment reacts after colliding with newly-designed grid bars mounted on a lint cleaner simulator. Results showed that grid bars with shapes that differ from conventional lint cleaner grid bars were effective in removing a seed coat fragment. The experimental grid bars warrant further testing on a full-size conventional lint cleaner. Reducing seed coat fragments in ginned lint will provide the cotton producer with a more desirable and profitable fiber.

Technical Abstract: An experiment was run to determine how a seed coat fragment (SCF) reacts after colliding with newly-designed grid bars mounted on a saw-type lint cleaner simulator. A high-speed video camera recorded the action that took place. Ten experimental grid bars were tested. The included angle of the sharp toe of the grid bars (or the clockwise angle from vertical) ranged from 30º to 105º in 15º increments. A rounded grid bar with a 0.76-mm (0.030-in) radius was also included in the experiment. Results showed that grid bars that had an included angle of the toe of the grid bar larger than the included angle found on conventional grid bars appeared to adequately remove a SCF. Also, grid bars that had a second corner a short distance from the toe of the grid bar appeared to remove the SCF more quickly and completely from the fiber bundle, and after separation from the fiber bundle, the SCF retained more energy and its momentum continued for a longer time period. Considering the position of the SCF a short time (700 microseconds) after impact with the grid bar, grid bars that had a 105º, 60º, and 45º included angle from the toe of the grid bar, and the rounded grid bar, performed best in removing SCFs from fiber bundles. These grid bars warrant further testing on a full-size conventional lint cleaner.