Abstract
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate and compare the performance of two different seed cotton trash extractors namely: local seed cotton trash extractor-cleaner (El-Yamani, 2007) and a foreign extractor (Russian type model YIIX-I, 5T). The performance of the two investigated seed cotton extractors were evaluated in terms of the physical fiber properties included seed cotton fiber length, mm (2.5 and 50 % span fiber lengths); fiber length uniformity ratio, %; color grade, units (color reflectance (Rd) and color yellowness) and seed cotton grade, units. The extractors machine were investigated at four saw drum speeds (7.06, 8.63, 10.20 and 12.56 m.s(-1)), four feed rates (10, 12.5, 15 and 17.5 kg.min(-1)) and three fiber moisture contents (11.2, 9.8, 7.9 %). The increase of saw drum speeds, within the range of values included in this study, decreased the 2.5 % and 50 % span fiber length and increased the color reflectance, yellowness and seed cotton grade. At all levels of drum speeds, fiber moisture contents and both extractors, the span fiber length of 2.5 and 50 % and uniformity ratio were proportional to the feed rate. However, the maximum color reflectance, color yellowness and seed cotton grade were achieved at feed rates of 10 kg.min(-1) at all values of other parameters. The fiber moisture content was highly significant on fiber span length, uniformity, color reflectance and seed cotton grade. However, the fiber moisture content was proportional to fiber span length and uniformity and inversely proportional to color reflectance and seed grade cotton. The highest seed cotton grade was recorded with the locally extractor.