Texas A&M University- BAEN-CAAQES

The number of cotton gins in the U.S. is decreasing while the number of bales produced remains constant or is increasing slightly. Texas produces and processes approximately five million bales each year with approximately 280 cotton gins, while losing approximately 20 cotton gins per year. An analysis of the number of gins in the state suggests that the reduction is constant and linear with an R2 = 0.98; indicating that by the year 2018, no gins will remain in business. It is likely that more cotton will be processed by existing gins, with associated longer gin seasons, longer transport distances, and larger module storage areas with associated insurance coverage problems. This paper details a systems engineering project to formulate a simulation model to evaluate the engineering and economic impacts of proposed changes in the traditional processes of harvesting, storing in modules, transporting modules to the gin, and ginning of seed cotton. The results of this work indicate that the minimum cost of ginning occurs at around 150 % utilization