Abstract:
Method for producing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), wherein the method comprising the steps of:Pre-treating of chemical pulp, such that, the pulp reaches a Schopper-Riegler (SR) value above 50, and refining the pulp, at a consistency of 3-6%, in a refiner with refiner blades, wherein the height of the refiner blades is in the range 2-3 mm.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a method for production of cellulose ethers in a high solids process substantially without use of organic solvents as reaction and/or washing medium. In the method of the invention the first alkalization step is carried out by using high solids content cellulose pulp and solid sodium hydroxide. This is followed by an etherification step where the solids content is preferably further increased and the use of solid etherification reactant is preferred. As no organic solvents are used as reaction media the invented method enables production of cellulose ethers directly from never dried pulp with significant savings in energy and investment costs. The method is especially suitable for the production of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC) with low degree of substitution (DS