The invention discloses a process for producing
cellulose ether by directly separating and recovering
diluent, which comprises the following steps: adding
sodium hydroxide and refined cottons into a mixed
diluent system to carry out alkalization reaction; then adding etherifying agent into the obtained mixture to carry out etherification reaction, after the etherification reaction is completed, obtaining a mixed
slurry of
cellulose ether and organic
diluent; and then recycling the organic diluent, and washing and refining the separated
cellulose ether so as to obtain a finished product. The process is characterized in that the mixed
slurry obtained in the step of etherification reaction is pumped to a centrifugal
machine to carry out
solid-liquid separation directly; then the obtained liquid mainly comprising the diluent enters into a
settling tank to carry out gravity
settling, and the obtained liquid subjected to gravity
settling is directly used as diluent for recycling; and the obtained
solid enters into a recover kettle and then neutralized with acid, and a small amount of diluent contained in the
solid is recycled by way of
steam heating and
distillation. The invention not only greatly reduces the
energy consumption in the process of diluent
evaporation and recycling, but also recycles the alkali which is not consumed in the reaction, thereby reducing the consumption of acid used in alkali
neutralization, saving energy and reducing consumption, and improving the
utilization rate of raw materials.