New Technology Research on Granulation of Methyl Cellulose

Methyl Cellulose (MC) is a kind of water-solubility and non-ionic cellulose ethers, which has been used widely. Currently, the small bulk density and the slowly dissolving velocity are the main deficiencies of Methyl Cellulose. These two deficiencies of Methyl Cellulose can not meet the need of efficient working. The way of improving the fluidity and dissolution deficiency may be to increase bulk density and granulation. Current granulation method of Methyl Cellulose is logical but with low efficiency and high cost.So, it is necessary to develop a new technology to produce Methyl Cellulose grain with high bulk density and good dissolution. Based on the theoretical analysis, we develop a new manufacturing technique using co-rotating twin-screw extrude as a main device,together with other auxiliary equipments according to reasonable technical process. Through measuring the bulk specific weight of Methyl Cellulose, its solubility and luminousness in water, the optimum of the experiment is estimated.The preferable optimum condition parameters of increasing bulk density and granulation are that moisture content is 40-60 percent, temperature is 30-50 degrees C, with intense mixing and extruding. Through increasing granulation, the bulk density is as twice as that of before, at the same time, the dissolution improves remarkably.