Aerodynamic Removal of Native Dust from Cotton

Abstract

An aerodynamic model is considered to predict variation in the mass of native dust removed from cotton as a function of velocity of the crossflow of air approaching the fiber. The model incorporates the composition of native dust, the aerodynamic shielding of some particles on the fiber from the drag force, and the cross-sectional density of the exposed batt of fibers. Physical representation of the model is based on a limited number of discrete data points graphically depicted by straight lines between the points. Using the model to simulate aerodynamic removal of native dust from cotton, a graphic representation of the mass of dust removed versus air velocity is predicted to reveal a curve with multiple inflection points. These points correspond to release of different components of the dust (e.g., bract and leaf) from the fiber. The model is compared with an experiment. An actual plot of the amount of dust released from "good ordinary" cotton versus the air velocity approaching the fiber reveals the pre dicted multiple inflection points. The air velocities required for aerodynamic removal of the leaf and bract components of the dust from this cotton are, respectively, 25 m/ s (>50 mph) and 60 m/s (> 130 mph).

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Baker, R.V. , Measurement of Dust-Release Potential of Cotton, in "Cotton Dust: Controlling an Occupational Health Hazard," J. G. Montalvo, Jr., Ed., ACS Symposium Series 189, American Chemical Society, 1982, pp. 53-65.

Buck, M.G. , Cotton Bract and Acute Airway Constriction in Humans, in "Cotton Dust: Conu-dhng an Occupational Health Hazard," J. G. Montalvo, Jr., Ed., ACS Symposium Series 189, American Chemical Society, 1982, pp. 187-202.

Ensminger, D. , Montalvo, J.G., Jr. , and Baril , A., Jr. , Application of Ultrasonic Forces to Remove Dust From Cotton Trans. ASME 106, 242-246 (1984).

Griffin, A.C., Jr. , and Bargeron, J.D. , Evaluation of Multiple Stage Lint and Mill Cleaning for Controlling Cotton Dust Levels in Cardrooms, USDA, MRR 1100, Washington, D.C., pp. 1-5, 1980.

Montalvo, J.G. , Jr. , Adhesion of Dust on Cotton, in "Proc. 5th Cotton Dust Res. Conf., Beltwide Cotton Prod. Res. Confs.," P. J. Wakelyn, Ed., National Cotton Council Am., Memphis, TN, 1981, pp. 53-54.

Montalvo, J. G., Jr., Ed., "Cotton Dust: Controlling an Occupational Health Hazard," ACS Symposium Series 189, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1982.

Montalvo, J.G. , Jr. , Baril, A., Jr. , and Weller , H.W., Jr. , Theoretical Approach to Dust Removal from Pre-baled Cotton, in "Proc. 6th Cotton Dust Res. Conf., Beltwide Cotton Prod. Res. Confs.," P. J. Wakelyn, Ed., National Cotton Council Am., Memphis, TN, 1982, pp. 74-77.

Montalvo, J.G. , Jr. , and Rousselle , M.-A. , Modeling Total Particulate Measurement in Cotton, Textile Res. J. 57, 10-19 (1982).

Montalvo, J.G. , Jr. , Thibodeaux , D.P. , and Evans, J.P. , Aerodynamic Force Required to Detach Bract and Leaf Dust Dispersed on Cotton Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 45, 833-840 (1984).

10.

Moore, V.P. , and Griffin, C., Jr. , The Relationship of Moisture to Cotton Quality Preservation at Gins, USDA, ARS 41-105, Washington, D.C., pp. 1-12, 1984.

11.

Morey, P.R. , Botanically What is Raw Cotton Dust? Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J. 40 , 702-708 (1979).

12.

Ramey, H.H., Jr. , "The Meaning and Assessment of Cotton Fiber Fineness," The International Institute for Cotton, Manchester, England , 1982, pp. 4-5.

13.

Taylor, R.E. , Aerodynamic Drag of Cotton Fibers in Crossflow , Textile Res. J. 47 , 381-386 (1977).