Chemical composition of dusts from cottonseed oil mills

The proximate chemical composition of total dust samples from five Texas cottonseed oil mills was determined. Dust compositions were highly variable and were affected more by the processing step than by differences among mills. Composition of cleaning room dusts reflected differences in soil minerals. Typical inorganic values were: silicon (12%), aluminum (0.5%), and iron (0.7%). Delintering dust was highest in cellulosic materials (40%), whereas the 23% protein composition of the hulling dust showed the influence of kernel fragments. Baling, dust contained large amounts of cellulose (38%) and noncellulosic organic constituents (36%).