Akzo Nobel N.v.

Lars Erik Berglund

Kenneth Sundberg

Birgit Tora Gunvor Karlsson

Karl-Axel Johansson

The invention relates to a process for grinding cellulose ether comprising the steps of: a) grinding a cellulose ether comprising 20 to 90 wt % of water, based on the total weight of cellulose ether and water, and a cationic surfactant in a mill; and b) optionally drying the mixture while grinding, prior to or following the step of grinding.

Process for grinding cellulose ether

A water-soluble methyl cellulose ether, having a flocculation point below 100&#xb0; C., is manufactured by reacting methyl chloride and a cellulose activated by mercerizing the cellulose with aqueous alkali in the presence of a C-Calkyl chloride as a reaction medium at a temperature from 65&#xb0; C. to 90&#xb0; C. and at a pressure from 3 to 15 bar. The weight ratio between the cellulose and the C-Calkyl chloride is normally from 1:1 to 1:5. The use of the reaction medium makes it possible to produce at a low pressure methyl cellulose ether at a good rate.

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Domsjö, Sweden

Lars Erik Berglund