Method for producing parenchymal cell cellulose

Abstract

A method for producing parenchymal cell cellulose by using a high consistency alkali treatment and an optional refinement step, as well as an apparatus for its manufacture.

1 . A counter current reactor comprising
 a. a first counter current extraction zone comprising a first end, a second end, and:   at least one feeding inlet at any position along the first counter current extraction zone configured to allow feeding raw material into the first counter current extraction zone;   at least one first liquid extract outlet at any position along the first counter current extraction zone configured to allow discharging a first liquid extract from the first counter current extraction zone;   at least one first solvent feed inlet in the second end configured to allow feeding solvent into the first counter current extraction zone;   at least one extraction outlet in the second end configured to allow discharging a first solid extract;   b. a second counter current extraction zone comprising a first end and a second end, and   at least one second feeding inlet at any position along the second counter current extraction zone configured to allow feeding the first solid extract from the at least one extraction outlet of the first counter current extraction zone into the second counter current extraction zone;   at least one second liquid extraction outlet at any position along the second counter current extraction zone configured to allow discharging a second liquid extract from the second counter current extraction zone;   at least one second solvent feed inlet in the second end configured to allow feeding solvent into the second counter current extraction zone;   at least one solid extract outlet in the second end configured to allow discharging a second solid extract;   c. a refiner unit comprising   a first solid extract inlet configured to allow receiving the second solid extract from the second counter current extraction zone;   refining means configured to allow fibrillating the second solid extract to nanofibrillar parenchymal cellulose;   at least one outlet configured to allow discharging the nanofibrillar parenchymal cellulose.   
     
     
         2 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the first counter current extraction zone further comprises the at least one liquid extract outlet in the first end of the first counter current extraction zone. 
     
     
         3 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the first counter current extraction zone further comprises the at least one solvent feed inlet in the first end of the first counter current extraction zone. 
     
     
         4 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the second counter current extraction zone further comprises the at least one second feeding inlet in the first end of the second counter current extraction zone. 
     
     
         5 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the second counter current extraction zone further comprises the at least one second liquid extraction outlet in the first end of the second counter current extraction zone. 
     
     
         6 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the refiner unit comprises the at least one outlet is configured to transfer at least some of the nanofibrillar parenchymal cellulose to at least one sequential refining passage in the refiner unit. 
     
     
         7 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the first counter current extraction zone further comprises a by-pass outlet for discharging at least partially the first solid extract to the refiner unit. 
     
     
         8 . The counter current reactor of  claim 7 , wherein the refiner unit further comprises a by-pass inlet configured to allow feeding the first solid extract from the first counter current extraction zone. 
     
     
         9 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second counter current extraction zones each comprise a transfer screw configured to transfer raw material from the first end to the second end thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The counter current reactor of  claim 9 , wherein the transfer screw is in line with a concentrating screw arranged between the transfer screw and the second end, and wherein the concentrating screw is a perforated screw. 
     
     
         11 . The counter current reactor of  claim 1 , wherein the refiner unit is directly connected to the solid extract outlet of the second counter current extraction zone.