Process for producing particulate, water-soluble cellulose derivatives using a superheated gas mixture containing steam

• Main Authors: Morning, Martin, Schlesiger, Hartwig, Weber, Gunter, Eckhardt, Volker, Sonnenberg, Gerd, Kiesewetter, Rene
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 27.09.2001

The present invention relates to a new, particularly economical process for preparing particulate water-soluble cellulose derivatives. The process involves forming a feed composition of swollen and/or dissolved cellulose derivative, and water. The feed composition is contacted with a superheated gas mixture, in a sieve-free high rotational speed gas jet impact mill, and the cellulose derivative of the feed composition is converted into a solid state form of finely particulate particles. The superheated gas mixture, with which the feed composition is contacted, is selected from: (i) a superheated gaseous mixture of steam and an inert gas; and (ii) a superheated gas mixture of steam and air. The superheated gas mixture has a steam content of 40 wt. % to 99 wt. %, based on the total weight of the superheated gas mixture.