Cellulose fibres in the organic chemical process

Many cellulose fibres today, such as artificial silk and insulating materials, are based on chemically produced cellulose fibres. The basic materials are usually wood, plant remains, cotton and recycled newspaper. The cellulose must first be extracted for industrial fibre production. This occurs by partly esterifying cellulose from the plant fibres soaked to pulp with acetic acid, whereby cellulose acetate flakes develop in a chemical reaction. These are then dissolved in acetone in a reactor to textile pulp, which can be processed to endless yarn (filament) in the so-called dry-spin process by means of nozzles in the warm air flow. Subsequent crimping (kinking) and cutting further produces cellulose acetate staple fibres.

Key to cellulose fibre production are both environmentally friendly processes – for example the recovery of solvents – and consistent product properties. This can only be achieved with reliable process control with highly accurate technical measuring systems. Besides affordable Coriolis mass flowmeters, KROHNE also offers vortex flowmeters with integrated temperature and pressure sensor, as well as electromagnetic flowmeters. The latter are especially suitable for complex process applications in very harsh process conditions with abrasive media such as pulp. Furthermore, radar level meters offer non-contact level measurement, even in large and narrow silos. And our electronic differential pressure transmitters can be fitted on request with easy-to-service signal lines between the measuring heads instead of filled capillaries.