1. Modifying Rib Rail Placement for the Powered Roll Gin Stand: Results from Studies Conducted on a Retrofitted Lummus Gin Stand
Greg Holt, USDA-ARS, Lubbock, TX
J. Weldon Laird, USDA-ARS (Retired)
Tom Wedegaertner, Cotton Inc., Cary, NC

2. Background
PRGS initially developed to remove residual lint from cottonseed for the EasiFlo process.
Due to lint properties obtained from reginning seed, the stand was modified for seed cotton.
Initial prototype and field model(s) were on Continental Eagle gin stands

3. Background (cont.)
Success retrofitting other makes of gin stands inconsistent.
Led to speculations that the technology was only applicable to Cont. Eagle gin stands.
Investigation into performance problems found rib angle and gin point as primary differences.

4. Objectives
Evaluate if other gin rib configurations in a retrofitted Lummus-116 improved performance (Study 1).
If 1st study promising, conduct optimization study to determine optimal gin rib configuration(s) (Study 2).

5. Procedures – Studies 1 & 2 Evaluate retrofitted Lummus-116
Single variety of cotton (PM2326)
Modify rib angle and gin point
Collect moisture, lint, and seed samples and recorded production data
Set PRGS controls for constant speeds and load.

6. Schematic of Powered Roll Gin Stand
Seed Finger Roll
Gin Saw
Paddle Roll

7. Procedures – Studies 1 & 2 Evaluate retrofitted Lummus-116
Single variety of cotton (PM2326)
Modify rib angle and gin point
Collect moisture, lint, and seed samples and recorded production data
Set PRGS controls for constant speeds and load.

8. Procedures – Studies 1 & 2 Evaluate retrofitted Lummus-116
Single variety of cotton (PM2326)
Modify rib angle and gin point
Collect moisture, lint, and seed samples and recorded production data
Set PRGS controls for constant speeds and load.

9. Powered Roll
Gin Front
Rib Rail
& Spacer
Initial Gin Stand
Frame
Guide Roller

10. Setup 1 (original)

11. Setup 2

12. Procedures – Studies 1 & 2 Evaluate retrofitted Lummus-116
Single variety of cotton (PM2326)
Modify rib angle and gin point
Collect moisture, lint, and seed samples and recorded production data
Set PRGS controls for constant speeds and load.

13. Data Collected Moisture samples – Feeder apron
Lint Samples (AFIS & HVI) – BLC & ALC
Seed Samples – Below gin stand
Control system data – kW & amps
Gin rate and Turnout

14. Procedures – Studies 1 & 2 Evaluate retrofitted Lummus-116
Single variety of cotton (PM2326)
Modify rib angle and gin point
Collect moisture, lint, and seed samples and record production data
Set PRGS controls for constant speeds and load.

15. Powered Roll Gin Control Settings
Paddle Roll Speed = 208 rpm
Saw Speed = 830 rpm
Seed Finger Speed = 26 rpm
Paddle Roll Load = 17.5 amps

16. Experimental Design Study 1 Study 2 6 treatments * 3 reps = 18 runs
Completely Randomized - ANOVA
Study 2
9 treatments - 22 runs
Face-Centered Central Composite Design

17. Results – Study 1

18. Results – Study 2

19. Results – Study 2 Lint (%) Residual Spacers (in) Roller Diameter (in)
1.04
Lint (%)
0.84
0.64
Residual
0.44
1.656
1.688
1.563
1.516
1.469
1.344
Spacers (in)
Roller Diameter (in)
1.375
1.172
1.281
1.000

20. Results – Study 2

21. Conclusions
Initial theory of installing PRGS on existing gin stands involved only a new front was in error.
The retrofitted Lummus-116 needed to have the rib angle reduced by 4 deg. & gin point moved up 0.5 in.
Additional studies needed to refine design space as much as possible.

22. Conclusions (cont.)
Evaluate using more varieties and differing load settings.
Additional items such as rib curvature, roll box dimensions, and paddle and seed finger roll placement warrant further investigation.

23. Thank You