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Abstract
1. INTRODUCTION
Ginning is the process in which seed cotton is subjected to separation of fibers from the seed with conserving its quality characteristics. The roller gin stand was designed by Fones McCarthy in 1840. Meanwhile, the first gin plant was constructed in Egypt at Talkha by the Nile Rever- side in 1859, then twenty gin plants were founded by the end of 1870. The number of gin plants increased to more than one hundred by the end of the sixties of the last century. Ginning efficiency usually evaluated as gin stand capacity, ginning time and out-turn.
Generally, the gin stand capacity is influenced by several factors such as speed and adjustments of the gin stand, feeding method, cotton variety and grade besides the moisture content.
The feeder of gin stand regulates the flow of seed cotton into ginning system according to rate pre-set by ginner, beside fluffing and cleaning of the fed seed cotton. The first method used in feeding the first gin stand with seed cotton in history, designed by Eli Whiteny, was the hand feeding method.
The development of feeders, which began in 1794, took place in four general steps :
1- Hand feeding directly to the gin front.
2- A limited form mechanized feeding by means of spiked claws or spiked cylinder placed at the front of the tray to kick seed cotton into the roller.
3- Horizontal tray with travelling slatted apron having speed adjustments and kicker wheel at discharge end.
4- Simple to elaborate horizontal and vertical mechanisms having cleaning cylinders, extracting elements and drying provisions.
The hand feeding is still in use in Egypt beside two more mechanical feeding methods, the cylinder feeding method and the belt feeding method. The rate of cleaning, fluffing and regulating the flow of seed cotton to the ginning zone greatly varied from one method to another. Beside, the variation in seed cotton locks distribution along the ginning roller. Some cotton dealers belief that the mechanical feeders in general had a deleterious effect on ginning efficiency and fiber quality.
Thus, the present investigation was conducted to evaluate the effect of the feeding method, seed cotton level and their interaction on ginning efficiency and fiber properties of the Egyptian cotton. Besides the lint colour and trash attributes. As well as the classer and instrumental grades of the ginned lint.