Process for improved production of alkali cellulose and cellulose derivatives

1. A process for the production of alkali cellulose comprising the reaction of a cellulose with an alkali metal hydroxide, characterized in that the alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with a batch of ground cellulose in a mixing apparatus, the mixing apparatus having an upper region with a first cross-section and a lower region with a second cross-section, the second cross-section being smaller than the first cross-section and comprising at least one non-horizontally oriented continuous or divided single-shaft mixing device in the form of a screw or single or double helix.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the mixing apparatus comprises a vertically oriented conically shaped section, the vertically oriented conically shaped section being provided in the lower region of the mixing apparatus.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the mixing apparatus comprises a mixing device rotatable by an essentially centrally and vertically oriented axis and the distribution of the alkali metal hydroxide in the mixing apparatus is promoted by a mixing or cutting rotor located in the vicinity of the feed point of the alkali metal hydroxide.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is added to the cellulose at a feed point in the lower region of the mixing apparatus.

5. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is added to the cellulose at a feed point in a region of the mixing apparatus having a tapering cross section.

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixing apparatus comprises a mixing device rotatable by an essentially centrally and vertically oriented axis.

7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the mixing apparatus with respect to its longitudinal extension comprises a diagonally oriented mixing device being capable of rotating around a vertical axis.

8. Process according to claim 1 , wherein the distribution of the alkali metal hydroxide in the mixing apparatus is promoted by a mixing or cutting rotor located in the vicinity of the feed point of the alkali metal hydroxide.

9. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the mixing apparatus is coolable by a cooling jacket or cooling coils, and/or wherein the mixing apparatus is operated under an inert atmosphere, and/or wherein the mixing apparatus is designed to be resistant to pressure surges for downstream pressure reactions.

10. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is fed into a mixing apparatus as an aqueous solution of the alkali metal hydroxide.

11. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with cellulose in the mixing apparatus by a loop flow.

12. The process according to claim 1 further comprising reacting the alkali cellulose with one or more derivatizing agents for the production of cellulose derivatives.

13. The process according to claim 12 wherein the derivatizing agent is an alkylating agent, a, hydroxyalkylating agent or both.

14. The process according to claim 12 , wherein the produced cellulose ether is selected from the group consisting of alkylcelluloses, hydroxyalkylalkylcelluloses or hydroxyalkylcelluloses.

15. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the mixing apparatus is either pressure-resistant or not pressure-resistant, and if the mixing apparatus is pressure-resistant, the alkali cellulose is reacted with said one or more alkylating agents, said one or more hydroxyalkylating agents or both in the mixing apparatus or is transferred to another pressure-resistant reaction vessel and reacted there with the alkylating agents or the hydroxyalkylating agents or both, or if the mixing apparatus is not pressure resistant, the alkali cellulose is transferred to a pressure-resistant reaction vessel and reacted there with said one or more alkylating agents, said one or more hydroxyalkylating agents or both.