A PROCESS FOR OBTAINING ALPHA-CELLULOSE

摘要

The present invention relates to an alpha-cellulose with high molecular weight and purity and a process for obtaining the same from lignocellulosic material. The lignocellulosic raw material is treated by contacting it with high pressure steam at temperature in the range 190°C - 200°C for at least 2 minutes to solubilize the hemicellulose fraction. The undissolved fibrous organic biomass is washed with hot soft water to give the pretreated lignocellulosic material. The pretreated lignocellulosic material is pulped using sulfite, alkali and anthraquinone at a temperature of at least 120 °C and holding time of at least 15 minutes for solubilizing lignin component by converting into lingnosulfonte. The washed and screened pulp is bleached, washed to obtain the pulp containing at least 92% alpha - cellulose having high molecular weight in the range of 10,00,000-25,00,000. Such alpha-cellulose with high molecular weight and purity is suitable for converting into biodegradable derivatives.