An Evaluation of Nep Formation at the Cotton Gin

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of moisture content, processing rate, and gin machinery type on nep formation. Using a seed cotton cleaning machinery sequence recommended by the USDA ginning laboratories for Midsouth spindle har vested cotton, two lint moisture levels were tested at two process rates with three stages of saw cylinder lint cleaners. Samples for nep count analyses were obtained at seven locations in the ginning machinery sequence. These were tested with the USDA AMS standard method, which measures the number of neps in 645 cm2 of web. For the treatments studied, the gin stand and saw cylinder lint cleaners were the major con tributors to the formation of neps at gins.