Process of producing highly homogeneous cellulose solution

Abstract

Disclosed is a process of producing a highly homogeneous cellulose solution, in which a mixture of powdered cellulose with polyvinyl alcohol powder is fed in conjunction with concentrated liquid NMMO into a kneader or an extruder to produce the highly homogeneous cellulose solution, or into the kneader to produce a swollen cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol paste and the paste thus produced is moved into the extruder to produce the highly homogeneous cellulose solution. The cellulose solution is extruded through a nozzle into a cellulose fiber. The process is advantageous in that the highly homogeneous cellulose solution can be rapidly and inexpensively produced because the cellulose solution is produced without a vacuum distillation step or separate swelling step, and formation of fibrils is prevented, thereby cellulose fibers with excellent flexibility and strength are produced from the cellulose solution.