Research of the Influence of a Saw Gin With Improved Working Parts on Gin Efficiency and Product Quality

Improving the cleaning of raw cotton in the saw gin feeder is essential for raising fiber and seed quality and ginning productivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate, under industrial conditions, the effect of an improved grate feeder-cleaner on the cleaning efficiency, productivity and product quality of a saw gin. An industrial-experimental grate was manufactured and installed on the feeder-cleaner of a 90-saw gin at the "Boyovut techno claster" LLC ginning plant (Syrdarya region) and compared with a gin equipped with the existing mesh-surface feeder-cleaner. Tests were carried out on Sultan cotton of grades I and III, class 2, at a spiked drum–grate distance of 16–18 mm and a grate-bar spacing of 8 mm; contamination, seed damage and fiber quality were determined by state standard methods, and productivity by timekeeping. With the improved grate, the contamination of cleaned cotton averaged 1.22–1.35 % and the cleaning efficiency of the feeder reached 15.1–21.7 %, which is 2.3–2.9 (abs) % higher than with the mesh surface. Seed damage after ginning decreased by 0.11–0.33 (abs) %, fiber contamination by 0.05–0.15 (abs) %, and gin productivity increased by 40–48 kg/h, reaching 980–1023 kg/h for grade I and 863–916 kg/h for grade III cotton. After lint cleaning, the fiber of both grades met the "Superior" class under UzSt 604:2016. It is concluded that a grate feeder-cleaner with a 16–18 mm drum distance and 8 mm bar spacing is advisable for improving the cleaning efficiency, productivity and product quality of saw gins.