Cotton Spinning Machines & The Humidity Problem: When to Dehumidify, When to Humidify?

The Heart of the Textile Industry and the "Pulse" of Humidity

Spinning is considered the heart of the textile industry. However, the performance of modern cotton spinning lines (such as Ring Spinning or Open-end) depends heavily on an invisible environmental factor: Humidity.

Factory owners often struggle with a dual scenario: In the dry season, fibers break constantly due to static electricity and dust flies everywhere; in the humid season, cotton becomes sticky and wraps around rollers (lapping), causing machine stoppages. So what is the solution? This article analyzes a "2-way" humidity control strategy (Dehumidifying & Humidifying) to optimize spinning mill productivity.

1. What is the "Golden Humidity" for Cotton Spinning?

Cotton is a natural fiber with high hygroscopic properties. The moisture content of cotton fibers directly affects tensile strength, elasticity, and static charge accumulation. According to recommendations from Uster Technologies (the global standard in fiber testing), relative humidity (RH) needs to be controlled differently at each stage:

• Cotton Bale Store: 50 - 60% RH (To prevent mold).
• Carding Section: 45 - 55% RH (For effective fiber separation).
• Ring Spinning Section: 55 - 65% RH (This is the most critical stage for firm, shiny yarn).

2. Infographic: Humidity Balance Chart in Textiles

3. Double Risk: Consequences of Humidity Imbalance

When Air is Too DRY (< 50% RH) - Need HUMIDIFIER

In the dry season, low humidity causes a series of serious problems:

• Static Electricity: Cotton fibers accumulate opposite charges and repel each other, causing the yarn to become hairy, tangled, and difficult to wind.
• Brittle Fibers, Easy Breakage: Cotton loses moisture, becomes weak and brittle, increasing the breakage rate, reducing machine productivity, and creating significant waste.
• Fly Waste: Dry, broken fibers create airborne dust (fly waste), which clings to machine sensors causing errors and affecting worker health.

When Air is Too HUMID (> 70% RH) - Need DEHUMIDIFIER

Conversely, in the humid season (especially in Northern Vietnam), high humidity causes other issues:

• Roller Lapping: Cotton fibers absorb too much moisture and become sticky, wrapping tightly around the rubber rollers of the spinning machine, forcing workers to stop the machine to manually disentangle them.
• Raw Material Mold: Stored cotton bales becoming damp will grow mold, causing fibers to turn yellow and reducing commercial value.

4. DeAir's Total Solution: Warehouse Dehumidification - Factory Humidification

To solve this "sometimes dry, sometimes humid" problem, DeAir provides a specialized 2-way humidity control solution:

Humidification Solution for Production Floor

Use the DeAir.HM Industrial Humidifier system (Ultrasonic or High-Pressure Mist technology). This system sprays micron-sized mist particles into the air, helping to:

• Instantly eliminate static electricity.
• Cool the factory (reduce 3-5°C), creating a comfortable working environment.
• Settle cotton dust, making the air cleaner.

Dehumidification Solution for Raw Material Warehouse

For cotton bale storage or stages requiring dryness, businesses need to equip the DeAir heat-pump dehumidifier line. With advanced heat pump technology, this device helps maintain warehouse humidity at a safe level (<60%) with the lowest electricity cost, preventing mold and cotton clumping due to moisture.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)