Method for producing microcrystalline cellulose

The present invention relates to a method for producing microcrystalline cellulose from fibrous cellulosic material by acid hydrolysis in an MCC plant. In this method， a suspension of cellulose pulp is concentrated to form a filtrate. The concentration of the concentrated suspension is adjusted to 5-40% by adding a diluent， and the pH of the suspension is adjusted to a value of 4 or less using an acid. The pulp suspension is acid hydrolyzed at least 120° C. in a reactor to produce a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and hydrolyzate. The mixture is discharged from the reactor at low pressure and low temperature to flash the mixture and generate flash vapors. The microcrystalline cellulose is separated from the hydrolyzate， the separated microcrystalline cellulose is washed in one or more washing devices， and the concentration of the microcrystalline cellulose is increased by concentration for further treatment or by concentration and drying for further treatment. The present invention relates to a process for producing microcrystalline cellulose from fibrous cellulosic material by acid hydrolysis at an MCC plant. In this process a suspension of cellulosic pulp is thickened， so that filtrate is formed. A consistency of the thickened suspension is adjusted to 5-40 % by adding dilution liquid， and the pH of the suspension is adjusted to a value of 4 or less with acid. The pulp suspension is subjected to acid hydrolysis at at least 120 °C in a reactor to produce a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and hydrolysate. The mixture is discharged from the reactor to a lower pressure and lower temperature to flash the mixture and to generate flash steam. Microcrystalline cellulose is separated from hydrolysate， and the separated cellulose is washed in one or several washing apparatuses， and the consistency of the microcrystalline cellulose is increased by thickening for further processing or thickening and drying for further processing. The present invention relates to a process for producing microcrystalline cellulose from fibrous cellulosic material by acid hydrolysis at an MCC plant. In this process a suspension of cellulosic pulp is thickened， so that filtrate is formed. A consistency of the thickened suspension is adjusted to 5-40 % by adding dilution liquid， and the pH of the suspension is adjusted to a value of 4 or less with acid. The pulp suspension is subjected to acid hydrolysis at at least 120 °C in a reactor to produce a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and hydrolysate. The mixture is discharged from the reactor to a lower pressure and lower temperature to flash the mixture and to generate flash steam. Microcrystalline cellulose is separated from hydrolysate， and the separated cellulose is washed in one or several washing apparatuses， and the consistency of the microcrystalline cellulose is increased by thickening for further processing or thickening and drying for further processing.