PROCESS FOR PURIFICATION OF NITROCELLULOSE

摘要

Purification and viscosity reduction of unpurified nitrocellulose contg. residual acid from the nitration step in the preparation of nitrocellulose is claimed. Unpurified nitrocellulose fibers are cut in water to form an aq. slurry (I) comprising a dispersed nitrocellulose fiber phase and a continuous liq. phase. The pH of (I) is at least 8 by the addn. of base soln. (I) is then heated at 100150≦̸C under an stmospheric pressure of up to 60 psi(gauge), and a base is added to maintain the pH at at least 8. The treatment is continued until the nitrocellulose fibers (II) are neutralized. (II) are then sepd. and washed with water to remove the base, and stable (II) is recovered.