Lint Retrieval at Ginning: Further Study of Bale Value and Spinning Performance

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a fiber retrieving process at the cotton gin on fiber and yam quality and spinning performance of machine- stripped cotton. The retrieving process recovered about 75% of the fiber normally wasted by the gin-type lint cleaners, and returned this fiber to the bale concurrently with ginning. The process had no effect on lint classification, but increased bale weights by 4.1 to 5.4 kg and bale loan values by $3 to $4. Retrieved fiber was significantly lower in quality than conventionally cleaned fiber, but the return of this small amount of fiber to the bale had only minor effects on overall fiber quality. Yarn tenacity and spinning potential were reduced slightly by the retrieving process in one experiment, but unaffected in another experiment. The retrieving process had no significant effect on other spinning performance and yarn property measurements, percentage of comber noils, combed sliver properties, or dye-uptake characteristics of knitted fabric.