New process for producing low DP microcrystalline cellulose

摘要

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.