Engineering properties of cotton stalks (Gossypium hirsitum L.)

Different physical and thermal properties of chaffed and ground cotton stalks were evaluated. The moisture content of chaffed and ground cotton stalk was 10.01 and 12.31% respectively. The size of chaffed cotton stalk was 40.3 mm, whereas the equivalent diameter of chaffed and ground cotton stalk was estimated as 30.5 and 4.5 mm respectively. The mean value of bulk density of chaffed and ground cotton stalks was 206.16 and 217.30 kg/m3, whereas true density varied between 727.70 and 313.60 kg/m3. The porosity of chaffed cotton stalks was estimated to be greater than ground cotton stalks. Angles of repose for chaffed and ground cotton stalks were 43.18 and 34.35o respectively. The coefficient of internal friction for ground cotton stalks was 0.85, whereas coefficient of external friction for chaffed and ground cotton stalks was estimated to be 0.54 and 0 .68 respectively. The calorific value of chaffed and ground cotton stalks came out to be 16.70, 16.79MJ/kg respectively. Ash content of both chaffed and ground cotton stalks were almost same i.e. 6.93 and 6.87 % respectively.