Process and system for increasing the solids content of microfibrillated cellulose

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process and a system for the at least partial removal or exchange of solvent from / in a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), specifically the at least partial removal of solvent from a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose having a comparatively high solvent (water) content to a relatively lower solvent content. Accordingly, the solids content of the microfibrillated cellulose increases during the the step of at least partial removal of solvent from a suspension comprising process, in particular from a first solids content in the range of from 0.1 % weight by weight ("w / w") to 6 % w / w, preferably 1 % weight by weight ("w / w") to 5% w / w, up to a second solids content of above 5 % w / w, preferably to a solids content of from above 5 % w / w - 50% w / w, further preferably to a solids content of from above 5 % w / w - 25% w / w. In a separate aspect, a solvent exchange step after the at least partial removal of a first solvent is also part of the present invention.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a process for the at least partial removal of solvent, in particular water, from a suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose (MFC), in particular water, wherein the suspension The liquid changes from a relatively high solvent content, especially water content, to a relatively low solvent content. Thus, during said at least partial solvent removal, the solids content of the microfibrillated cellulose is increased, in particular from 0.1% weight / weight ("w / w") to 6% w / w, preferably 1% w Microfibrillated fibers having a first solids content of microfibrillated cellulose increased to 5% w / w or more in the range of / w to 5% w / w, more preferably 1.5% w / w to 3.5% w / w A second solids content of cellulose, preferably 5% w / w to 50% w / w solids of microfibrillated cellulose, more preferably 6% w / w to 30% w / w solids of microfibrillated cellulose content, more preferably 7% w / w - 20% w / w solids content of the fibrillated cellu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, it is often challenging to remove solvent / water from products with high solvent / water retention

The inventors have found that satisfactory results cannot be obtained for solvent removal from suspensions comprising microfibrillated cellulose using conventional filtration methods, in particular press filtration as known in the art

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