Abstract:
A process for producing microcrystalline cellulose. The process comprising the following steps: a) preparation of a pulp by repulping, b) pressing of the pulp obtained in a), c) decompaction of the pulp obtained in b), d) feeding of the pulp obtained in c) into a pre-heated reactor, e) cooking of the pulp at a temperature, a time and a pressure allowing to obtain a pulp having a desired degree of polymerisation, f) cooling and partial controlled depressurisation of the reactor by purging the reactor, followed by a water injection into the jacket and direcUy into the reactor, g) filtering the pulp obtained in f), h) bleaching of the pulp obtained in g), and i) drying the pulp obtained in h). The process allows the application of a controlled depressurisation in step f), which in turn allows to keep the natural texture of the fibers and to obtain a cellulose having a low degree of polymerization.
Abstract:
An apparatus for treating material, such as lignocellulose material, fibrous material, particulate material, cellulosic material, and the like. The apparatus includes a feed system, a reactor, a conveyor, and a discharge system. The feed system has an inlet for receiving the material from a supply source at ambient pressure conditions and an outlet for releasing the material. The reactor is used for treating the material and has an inlet connected to the outlet of the feed system for receiving the material released from the feed system, and an outlet for releasing the material treated by the reactor. The conveyor is located inside the reactor for conveying the material from the inlet of the reactor to the outlet thereof. The discharge system is used for discharging the material and has a chamber and a pump. The chamber has an inlet connected to the outlet of the reactor for receiving the material treated by the reactor, and an outlet. The pump is connected to the chamber for pumping liquid into the chamber so as to put the treated material received from the reactor in liquid suspension, thereby obtaining a liquid suspended treated material, said liquid suspended treated material being dischargeable from the apparatus into ambient pressure conditions through the outlet of the chamber.