The Effect of Lint Cleaner Elements, Settings, and Fiber Moisture Content on Fiber Quality

Abstract

Three cottons, one short and coarse, one standard base grade, and one long and fine, were subjected to an experimental lint cleaner with variable working elements (the feed bar, grid bars, and brush) and settings (saw surface speed of 399 m min-1 vs. 612 m min-1, batt density of 100 g m-2 vs. 250 g m-2, and combing ratio of 23 vs. 50). Using a climate-controlled room, the effect of fiber moisture (dry 4.8% vs. optimal 6.2%) on fiber damage across these factors was also measured. The creation of neps and short fiber content (SFC) was greatest at the transfer point between the feed bar and saw, particularly when the saw speed, batt density, and combing ratio were highest, although nep levels were lower for samples with high batt density, a result attributed to the poor grip between the feed roller and feed plate nip for the lighter-weight batt. The long and fine cotton suffered the most damage, i.e., nep and SFC generation increased proportionately more when the saw speed and combing ratio settings were highest. Damage was reduced without affecting trash content by employing combinations of increased fiber moisture, reduced combing ratio and/or batt density, and reduced saw speed. The combination of less aggressive settings was particularly successful in reducing the high number of neps in the long and fine cotton. The nep count in this cotton using optimal moisture, low batt density, low combing ratio, and slow saw speed was 540 neps g-1, as compared with 636 neps g-1 when the more aggressive settings were used. This study provides a basis and direction for future research into the design of better fixed-batt saw lint cleaners.