Method of producing microfibrillated cellulose

US10240288B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Stora Enso OYJ · FI

Inventors

• Isto Heiskanen · Imatra, FI
• Henri Kastinen · Helsinki, FI
• Anna Kauppi · Helsinki, FI
• Jukka Kankkunen · Imatra, FI
• Lars Axrup · Fållan, SE
• Cecilia Land Hensdal · Forshaga, SE
• Heidi Emilia Saxell · Hallenberg, DE
• Kaj Backfolk · Lappeenranta, FI

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 2013
• Grant date: Mar 26, 2019
• Expiry date: May 23, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC D): Textiles; Paper
• CPC primary: D21H17/005
• WIPO field: Textile and paper machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of producing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). According to the invention a fibrous pulp suspension is fibrillated mechanically at a consistency of less than 12.5%, dewatered to raise the consistency of the fibrillated suspension to at least 12.5%, and then subjected in the dewatered condition to further fibrillation. Alternatively an initially fibrillated fibrous pulp suspension may be dewatered and fibrillated in the dewatered condition, after which these dewatering and fibrillating steps are repeated one or more times so that pulp consistency is increased for each fibrillation step. The goals of raising the consistency between subsequent fibrillations are energy saving and an increased aspect ratio in MFC. The invention even comprises uses of the MFC product, e.g. as an additive for papermaking furnish or injection molded plastic composites.