Cotton gin energy costs have risen more than other operating costs. Energy audits were conducted in 20 U.S. cotton gins representing a range of capacities in six states. The average participating saw gin used 39.5 kWh to process a bale. The average roller gin used 62.6 kWh. Gins have become larger, from a connected power of 570 kW (764 hp) in 1962 to over 2237 kW (3000 hp) today. Energy costs are a larger proportion, 20% of the total cost of ginning, compared to 6% to 10% of the total in the 1970s, even though energy consumed per bale processed is less, approximately 73% of the electricity consumed in 1982. Connected power and energy consumption were allocated to five categories: seed cotton cleaning, ginning, lint cleaning, bale packaging, and materials handling. Materials handling accounted for the largest portion, over half of the electricity consumed by a gin, as it has since the 1960s. Since the 1980s, the power and energy allocated to ginning has decreased slightly, and that allocated to lint cleaning has decreased significantly. Best practices still include: operating at full capacity, avoiding down time, minimizing materials handling, and improving electric motor efficiency.

Cotton Gin Electrical Energy Use Trends and 2009 Audit Results

Microcomputer system performance has been enhanced by the introduction of microcomputer peripherals. Microcomputer peripherals are integrated circuits capable of performing specialized input/output and computational functions in microcomputer systems. These peripheral devices increase overall system efficiency by allowing the central processing unit (CPU) to function in a task management and decision-making capacity with the peripherals assuming responsibility for many of the functional details. In addition to providing performance improvements, microcomputer peripherals permit the implementation of a structured approach to system design. This paper presents a general microcomputer-based digital system design philosophy, provides a rationale for microcomputer peripherals, and considers the operation and application of commercially available microcomputer peripherals.

Microcomputer Peripherals

This paper describes the use of finite-state models for developing instrumentation software used in a cotton gin efficiency monitoring system [1]. A summary of the monitoring system is presented. The software finite-state models are developed in detail. Example dataprocessing results are demonstrated.

Using Finite-State Models in Instrumentation Software

This paper describes a microcomputer controlled data acquisition system and data processing facilities for measuring cotton gin efficiency. A summary of the hardware and software system components is presented, along with its operational characteristics. Some data processing results are included along with future plans for enhancing the usefulness of the system.

Herbert Willcutt

Papers

Cotton Gin Efficiency Monitoring System