Developing Optimum Design Factors and Operational Speeds for the Powered Roll Cotton Gin Stand

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The USDA ARS has developed a new design for the cotton gin stand which holds substantial promise for commercial application and could benefit cotton producers. The Powered Roll Gin Stand is patented by the USDA, U.S. patent number 6,061,875. USDA tests have shown that this technology will result in a significant increase in pounds of lint per bale as well as improvements in cotton lint quality. There is a large variation among the various parts of the experimental gin stand and a considerable amount of research will be needed to fully explore these interrelationships. There is also a considerable amount of variation between the various regions of the U.S. cotton belt and varieties of cotton grown which could affect the optimal settings. A set of optimum factors will be determined that will optimize the performance of the Powered Roll Gin Stand technology. Development of these optimum factors will determine the commercial feasibility of accelerated marketing of this technology and whether it is cost efficient for cotton ginners to use this technology.