Improved raw cotton linters composition, method of making same and uses thereof

Abstract

A composition of a loose mass of comminuted raw cotton linter fibers has a bulk density of at least 8 g / 100 ml and at least 50 % of the fibers in the mass passes through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is made by obtaining a loose mass of first cut, second cut, third cut, or mill runs raw cotton linters or mixtures thereof and comminuting the loose mass of raw cottonlinters to a size wherein at least 50 % pass through a US standard sieve size #10 (2 mm opening). This composition is used to make cellulose ether derivatives.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel composition of raw cotton linters, to a process for the preparation of the composition and to its use. More specifically, the present invention relates to raw cotton linters of high bulk density, a process for the preparation of such raw cotton linters, and the use of such raw cotton linters for the preparation of industrially usable water-soluble and water-swellable cellulose ether derivatives . Background technique

[0002] Cellulose ethers represent an important class of water-soluble polymers (WSP). Examples of such WSPs include carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC). By introducing additional functional groups into such cellulose ethers, a large number of mixed cellulose ether derivatives can be generated. Currently, cellulose ethers are prepared by reacting cellulose with a suitable etherifying agent. The cellulosic materials use...