This study investigates the removal of impurities from cotton raw materials, focusing on small impurities deeply embedded in cotton slivers.
Traditional cleaning methods, such as the 6A-12M screw cleaner, face challenges like fiber tangling and low efficiency in separating fine impurities, especially under high moisture conditions. To address these issues, an improved screw cleaner design was proposed, incorporating hot air exposure to enhance drying and cleaning efficiency. Experimental tests were conducted on Bukhara 6-II grade cotton, evaluating the effects of temperature, screw rotation speed, and pile inclination angle on cleaning efficiency and mechanical damage to seeds. Results showed that optimal parameters—10 mm distance between the mesh surface and screw pile, 180 rpm screw rotation speed, and 80° pile inclination angle— achieved a cleaning efficiency of 53.6% and reduced mechanical damage to seeds to 1.7%. The proposed design significantly improves the drying and cleaning process, offering practical advancements for the cotton industry.