Patent ID: 6986828

Claim:
A process for preparing microcrystalline cellulose, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) preparing a pulp by repulping, b) pressing the pulp obtained in a) to remove water, c) decompacting the pulp obtained in b), d) feeding the pulp obtained in c) into a pre-heated reactor, e) cooking the pulp with the pre-heated reactor at a predetermined temperature, time, and pressure that are selected to obtain a pulp having a stable degree of polymerization, and wherein the cooked pulp is hydrolyzed to form microcrystalline cellulose without the use of any mineral acids, f) partially cooling the reactor by injecting water into said reactor, g) filtering the pulp obtained in f), h) bleaching the pulp obtained in g), i) drying the pulp obtained in h), and j) recovering said microcrystalline cellulose.