Fiber Cohesion Effects on Energy Use during Processing and Fiber and Yarn Quality

Significant energy is required to gin and spin cotton fiber, and consumers of cotton goods are increasingly concerned with the sustainability of cotton production. Previous research has demonstrated the effect of fiber-seed attachment force on the energy required to gin cotton; however, other factors affect the energy required for subsequent processes, such as lint cleaning or carding and drafting in a textile mill. The relationship between fiber cohesion, energy use, and fiber and yarn quality is poorly understood. A greater understanding of these relationships may be useful in optimizing ginning rates and improve machinery designs. Three replications of five genotypes of cotton were grown in 2015 and 2016 in Stoneville, MS. Cotton was ginned at two rates in the microgin at the USDA-ARS Cotton Ginning Research Unit. Energy used by the gin stand and lint cleaner and the processing rate were measured. A sample was also ginned on a 10-saw gin, and the energy use and ginning rate recorded. Lint was further processed into sliver at the USDA-ARS SRRC. Fiber cohesion, fiber-seed attachment force, fiber quality parameters (HVI and AFIS) throughout processing, and sliver uniformity were measured. The relationship of different fiber properties, such as cohesion, attachment force, length, fineness, and strength, to ginning energy and fiber quality, particularly short fiber content was examined.