Development of Saw Band Cylinder-type Single Locking Cotton Feeder for Double Roller Gin

Low capacities of double roller (DR) gins provides an economic barrier to its widespread application. Feeding mechanism to DR gin plays a significant role in enhancing ginning efficiency. Saw band cylinder-type single-locking feeder was developed with an aim to unlock the cotton bolls and maintain constant feeding rate of individual locules. It comprised of twin regulator, reservoir box, saw band cylinders and feeding apron. It regulated feed rate to about 220–240 kg.h⁻¹. The performance was evaluated in comparison to conventional feeding system. Saw band cylinder speed and cotton moisture content were optimized by using RSM. Quadratic equations for prediction of ginning output and specific energy were generated by using RSM. The ginning output and reduction in bulk density increased by 6.47% and 22.57%, respectively, whereas the specific energy decreased by 3.25 per cent. Multiple response analysis showed the optimum levels of moisture content of 7.32% (w.b.) and saw cylinder speed of 200 rpm with desirability of 0.936 by maximazing output and minimizing specific energy. Cotton quality was found to improve in terms of colour grade due to increase in degree of reflectance and reduction in yellowness.