JP6310044B1 - Cellulose nanofiber production apparatus and cellulose nanofiber production method - Google Patents

Abstract

A cellulose nanofiber production apparatus and a cellulose nanofiber production method capable of efficiently producing cellulose nanofibers are provided. The present invention includes an opposing collision type high-pressure homogenizer that performs refinement processing of a pulp slurry, and the high-pressure homogenizer opposes the pulp slurry in a straight line, and opposed in the first channel. The collision portion includes a second flow path that is vertically connected to the first flow path, and a third flow path that is vertically connected to the second flow path, and the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is T1. The cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus satisfies the relationship of T1 <T2 and T3 <T2, where T2 is the cross-sectional area of the second flow path and T3 is the cross-sectional area of the third flow path. Moreover, this invention manufactures the cellulose nanofiber which refines | pulverizes the pulp fiber in the pulp slurry whose solid content concentration is 0.1 to 8.0 mass% using the said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus. Is the method. [Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a cellulose nanofiber production apparatus and a cellulose nanofiber production method.

  In recent years, nanotechnology that aims to refine materials to the nanometer level and obtain new physical properties that are different from conventional properties of materials has attracted attention. Cellulose nanofibers manufactured from cellulose-based raw materials such as pulp fibers are excellent in strength, elasticity, thermal stability, etc., so they are filled in filter media, filter aids, ion exchanger substrates, and chromatographic analyzers. It is used for industrial use as a filler for blending materials, resins and rubbers, and for use as a blending agent for cosmetics such as lipsticks, powder cosmetics and emulsified cosmetics. Cellulose nanofibers are excellent in water-based dispersibility, so they have viscosity retention agents for foods, cosmetics, paints, etc., food material dough strengtheners, moisture retention agents, food stabilizers, low calorie additives, emulsification It is expected to be used in many applications such as stabilizing aids.

  Cellulose nanofibers can be obtained by defibrating pulp fibers by mechanical treatment. However, when cellulose nanofibers are produced only by mechanical treatment, a large number of mechanical treatments are required, resulting in a very large energy consumption. Therefore, various methods for performing pretreatment such as oxidation treatment and esterification treatment before mechanical treatment have been studied. Among these pretreatments, a method of oxidizing pulp using 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidine-N-oxy radical (TEMPO) and sodium hypochlorite (JP 2008-1728 A). And Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-235679) can reduce the mechanical treatment in the post-process.

  Further, as a means for performing mechanical miniaturization processing, a technique using an oblique collision type miniaturization processing apparatus is widely known (see JP-A-2006-107195). The oblique collision type miniaturization processing apparatus injects a raw material solution into a liquid from a pair of nozzles arranged opposite to each other and causes an oblique collision with each other, thereby causing a shearing force when passing through the nozzle and an in-liquid injection. The cavitation impact force due to the slant and the impact force at the time of oblique collision are intended to be refined.

JP 2008-1728 A JP 2010-235679 A JP, 2006-107195, A

  However, the number of mechanical treatments is not sufficiently reduced even by a method of performing pretreatment such as oxidation treatment or esterification treatment before the mechanical treatment described above, and further mechanical treatment is required for commercialization. It is required to reduce the number of times and efficiently produce cellulose nanofibers. In addition, when using a slanting collision type refining treatment apparatus for refining pulp fibers, clogging of pulp fibers is suppressed as compared with a facing collision type refining treatment apparatus that collides a raw material solution in a straight line. , The defibrating effect may be inferior.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the circumstances as described above, and the object thereof is to efficiently reduce the number of mechanical refining treatments and to efficiently inhibit the clogging of pulp fibers, thereby efficiently producing cellulose nanofibers. It is providing the manufacturing apparatus of the cellulose nanofiber which can manufacture, and the manufacturing method of a cellulose nanofiber.

  The inventors of the present invention, in the production of cellulose nanofibers, by using a high-pressure homogenizer that performs a specific mechanical treatment in the process of mechanically refining the pulp fiber, the pulp fiber is more efficiently defibrated, Since clogging of pulp fibers can be suppressed, it has been found that cellulose nanofibers can be efficiently produced by reducing the number of mechanical refining treatments, and the present invention has been completed.

  That is, the invention made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems is a cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus provided with an opposing collision type high-pressure homogenizer that performs a refinement process of pulp slurry containing pulp fibers, wherein the high-pressure homogenizer is the above-mentioned A first flow path that causes the pulp slurry to collide in a straight line, a second flow path that is connected perpendicularly to the first flow path at the opposed collision portion in the first flow path, and the second flow path And a third flow path that is vertically connected to each other, the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is T1, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path is T2, and the cross-sectional area of the third flow path is T3, This is an apparatus for producing cellulose nanofibers satisfying the relationship of T1 <T2 and T3 <T2.

  The high-pressure homogenizer provided in the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus first causes the pulp slurry containing the pulp fibers flowing into the first flow path to collide in a straight line and collide with each other, and then perpendicularly collide with the first flow path. Liquid is fed to the second flow path to be connected. The high-pressure homogenizer can feed the pulp slurry that has flowed into the second flow path while colliding with the inner wall of the third flow path that is perpendicularly connected to the second flow path. Therefore, the said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus can convert the energy given from a high voltage | pressure homogenizer to collision energy to the maximum. Further, when the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is T1, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path is T2, and the cross-sectional area of the third flow path is T3, the relationship of T1 <T2 and T3 <T2 is satisfied. As a result, in addition to the collision energy, the tearing force accompanying negative pressure and pressurization is generated in the pulp slurry, so that it is possible to further improve the fibrillation of the pulp fibers in the pulp slurry and to suppress clogging of the pulp fibers Can do. Accordingly, in the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus, the number of mechanical miniaturization processes can be reduced, and the cellulose nanofiber can be produced efficiently.

  Another invention made in order to solve the above problems is to refine the pulp fiber in the pulp slurry having a solid content concentration of 0.1% by mass or more and 8.0% by mass or less using the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus. It is the manufacturing method of the cellulose nanofiber to process. According to the cellulose nanofiber manufacturing method, the solid content concentration of the slurry containing the pulp fiber to be refined is set in the above range, thereby suppressing the viscosity of the slurry from excessively increasing, and the pulp slurry. Therefore, pulp fibers can be more efficiently defibrated by mechanical treatment using a high-pressure homogenizer, and clogging of pulp fibers can be suppressed. Therefore, cellulose nanofibers can be produced more efficiently. Here, solid content concentration means components other than a solvent.

  The “cellulose nanofiber” refers to a fine cellulose fiber obtained by defibrating pulp fibers, and generally refers to a cellulose fiber including cellulose fine fibers having a fiber width of nanosize (1 nm to 1000 nm). .

  According to the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus and cellulose nanofiber production method of the present invention, pulp fibers can be defibrated more efficiently and clogging of pulp fibers can be suppressed. Cellulose nanofibers can be efficiently produced by reducing the number of treatments.

1 is a schematic view of a high-pressure homogenizer according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is AA sectional drawing of the schematic shown in FIG. It is a partial schematic diagram of a high-pressure homogenizer. It is an example of the flowchart of the manufacturing method of a cellulose nanofiber.

  Hereinafter, a cellulose nanofiber production apparatus and a cellulose nanofiber production method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate.

[Manufacturing equipment for cellulose nanofiber]
An apparatus for producing cellulose nanofibers according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an opposing collision type high-pressure homogenizer, and refines pulp fibers in a pulp slurry using the high-pressure homogenizer. In addition to the high-pressure homogenizer, the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus includes a high-pressure pump and other liquid feed pumps for transferring the pulp slurry to the high-pressure homogenizer, a pulp slurry storage tank, a pulp slurry agitator, and the like. Arbitrary components may be provided. The said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus can be used in the method mentioned later, for example as "the manufacturing method of a cellulose nanofiber."

  The high-pressure homogenizer 1 shown in FIG. 2 which is AA sectional drawing of FIG.1 and FIG.1 is used for cellulose nanofiber manufacture, and refines | pulverizes the pulp fiber in the pulp slurry of the state which dispersed the pulp fiber in water Device. The high-pressure homogenizer refers to a homogenizer having the ability to discharge pulp slurry at a pressure of, for example, 10 MPa or more, preferably 100 MPa or more. The high-pressure homogenizer 1 is an opposing collision type high-pressure homogenizer (microfluidizer, wet jet mill). The high-pressure homogenizer 1 produces cellulose nanofibers by colliding the pulp slurry with high pressure and refining the pulp fibers to the nano level. The lower limit of the discharge capacity of the high-pressure homogenizer is preferably 100 MPa, and more preferably 150 MPa. By setting the lower limit of the discharge capacity of the high-pressure homogenizer 1 within the above range, the pulp fibers can be more efficiently refined.

  The high-pressure homogenizer 1 includes a cylindrical inner layer portion 2 and an outer layer portion 3 disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the inner layer portion 2. The inner layer part 2 has pressure resistance when the pulp slurry is fed, and is formed of, for example, sintered diamond. The outer layer portion 3 is formed from a sintered metal such as tungsten carbide, for example. Inside the inner layer part 2, a hollow flow path for feeding pulp slurry is provided. The flow path includes an inflow pipe 16, a first flow path 11, a second flow path 13 that is perpendicularly connected to the first flow path 11 at an opposing collision portion X, and a wall surface collision with respect to the second flow path 13. The third flow path 15 and the outflow pipe 17 that are vertically connected at the portion Y are provided. By connecting the second flow path 13 perpendicularly to the first flow path 11, the first flow path 11 and the second flow path 13 form a T-shaped flow path. Further, the third flow path 15 is connected perpendicularly to the second flow path 13, so that the third flow path 15 and the second flow path 13 form a T-shaped flow path. An inflow pipe 16 having two inflow ports is connected to the first flow path 11. The outflow pipe 17 having two outflow ports is connected to the third flow path 15. The pulp slurry flows in from the two inlets of the inlet pipe 16 and flows out of the two outlets of the outlet pipe 17.

  The high-pressure homogenizer 1 causes the pulp slurry to collide against each other on a straight line in the miniaturization process. By doing in this way, the energy given from the high voltage | pressure homogenizer 1 can be converted into collision energy to the maximum, and more efficient pulp fiber defibration can be performed. Specifically, as partially shown in FIG. 3, the first flow path 11 is formed such that the pressurized pulp slurry S <b> 1 and the pulp slurry S <b> 2 face each other at the opposite collision portion X. The pulp slurry S <b> 1 and the pulp slurry S <b> 2 collide at the opposing collision portion X, and the collided pulp slurry S <b> 3 flows in the second flow path 13 toward the third flow path 15. Next, the pulp slurry S3 collides with the wall surface of the third flow path 15 at the wall surface collision portion Y, and the collided pulp slurry S4 and pulp slurry S5 pass through the third flow path 15 and the two outflow pipes 17 It flows out from the outlet. Thus, the high-pressure homogenizer 1 causes the pulp slurry to collide twice at the opposing collision portion X and the wall surface collision portion Y while feeding the pulp slurry while applying high pressure. Therefore, more efficient pulp fiber defibration occurs.

Suitable cross-sectional areas of the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are exemplified below. The cross-sectional area of the first flow path, which will be described later, is T1, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path is T2, When the cross-sectional area of the third flow path is T3, it is not limited as long as T1, T2, and T3 satisfy the relationship of T1 <T2 and T3 <T2. The cross-sectional area T1 of the first flow path 11 is preferably 0.057 mm ² or more 0.123Mm ² or less, 0.060 mm ² or more 0.090 mm ² or less being more preferred. The cross-sectional area T2 of the second flow path 13, 0.126 mm ² or more 0.283Mm ² is preferably from 0.160 mm ² or more 0.190Mm ² or less being more preferred. The cross-sectional area T3 of the third flow path 15 is preferably 0.057 mm ² or more 0.123Mm ² or less, 0.090 mm ² or more 0.120 mm ² or less being more preferred. In the said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus, while making the cross-sectional area of the said 1st flow path, 2nd flow path, and 3rd flow path into the said range, while being able to suppress clogging of a pulp slurry, pulp slurry The defibration of the pulp fibers inside can be further improved.

  When the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is T1, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path is T2, and the cross-sectional area of the third flow path is T3, T1, T2 and T3 are T1 <T2 and T3 <T2. Satisfy the relationship. That is, the sectional area T2 of the second flow path 13 is larger than the sectional area T1 and the sectional area T3. In the cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus, the cross-sectional areas of the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path are set as described above, so that cracks associated with negative pressure and pressurization in addition to collision energy. Since the breaking force is generated in the pulp slurry, the defibration of the pulp fiber in the pulp slurry can be further improved. Furthermore, since the cross-sectional area T2 of the second flow path that becomes the flow path after the opposing collision of the pulp fibers is larger than the cross-sectional area T1 of the first flow path, the effect of suppressing clogging of the pulp fibers is improved. The cross-sectional area T1 of the first flow path 11 is smaller than the cross-sectional area T2 and the cross-sectional area T3, and the cross-sectional area T3 of the third flow path 15 is larger than the cross-sectional area T1 and the cross-sectional area. More preferably, it is smaller than T2.

  In the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus, the flow rate of the pulp slurry flowing through the high-pressure homogenizer 1 that generates a breaking force accompanying negative pressure and pressurization in addition to collision energy is appropriately controlled. According to the knowledge of the present inventors, the flow rate of the pulp slurry in the first flow path 11 is preferably 290 L / h or more and 390 L / h or less, and more preferably 320 L / h or more and 370 L / h or less. The flow rate of the pulp slurry in the second flow path 13 is preferably 250 L / h or more and 360 L / h or less, and more preferably 270 L / h or more and 315 L / h or less. Moreover, as a flow rate of the pulp slurry in the said 3rd flow path 15, 190 L / h or more and 330 L / h or less are preferable, and 200 L / h or more and 310 L / h or less are more preferable. By setting the flow velocities of the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path within the above ranges, the collision energy and the breaking force accompanying negative pressure and pressurization are preferably generated. Therefore, the pulp in the high-pressure homogenizer 1 The defibration of the pulp fibers in the slurry can be improved.

  In this way, by treating the pulp fiber with the high-pressure homogenizer 1, collision between the pulp fibers, a pressure difference, and the like act, and defibration is effectively generated. Thereby, the processing frequency of a refinement | miniaturization process can be reduced (shortening) and a cellulose nanofiber can be manufactured efficiently.

  The said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus may be equipped with the chemical treatment means and refiner used for the pre-processing before performing the refinement | miniaturization process by the said high voltage | pressure homogenizer.

  The said chemical processing means performs the chemical process which consists of an oxidation process, a hydrolysis process, or these combination with respect to the pulp fiber in a pulp slurry. Examples of the chemical treatment means include a reaction tank having a charging means such as an oxidant, an acid, and an enzyme. As the reaction tank, a papermaking tower such as a bleaching tower can be used as described above. As the refiner and the high-pressure homogenizer, those described in “Method for producing cellulose nanofiber” can be used. The cellulose nanofiber production apparatus may be provided with a dehydrating means such as a filter and a screw press, and a drying means, in addition to a chemical treatment means, a refiner, and a high-pressure homogenizer.

  According to the said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus, by providing the high pressure homogenizer 1, the pulp fiber in a pulp slurry can be efficiently defibrated and the frequency | count of a mechanical refinement | miniaturization process can be reduced. Therefore, according to the said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus, a cellulose nanofiber can be manufactured efficiently.

[Method for producing cellulose nanofiber]
The manufacturing method of the cellulose nanofiber which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention refines | miniaturizes the pulp fiber in a pulp slurry using the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus of the said cellulose nanofiber.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturing method of the cellulose nanofiber includes a pretreatment step (s1) and a refinement step (s2), and the pretreatment step (s1) includes a chemical treatment step (s1a) and a rough solution. A fiber process (s1b) is provided. The order of the chemical treatment step (s1a) and the rough defibrating step (s1b) is not particularly limited, and any step may be performed first. According to the production method, the combination of the two types of pretreatments of the chemical treatment step (s1a) and the rough defibration step (s1b) makes the pulp fiber flexible and efficiently produces preliminary defibration. In addition, it is possible to shorten the subsequent miniaturization process, that is, to reduce the number of processes. Hereinafter, each process is explained in detail.

<Pretreatment step (s1)>
The pretreatment step (s1) is a step of pretreating the pulp fibers in the pulp slurry, and a step of pretreating the pulp fibers before refining the pulp fibers by mechanical treatment. is there. Below, the pulp fiber used as the raw material of a cellulose nanofiber is demonstrated.

Examples of the pulp fibers include broadleaf kraft pulp (LKP) such as hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), hardwood unbleached kraft pulp (LUKP), softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP), and softwood such as softwood unbleached kraft pulp (NUKP). Chemical pulp such as kraft pulp (NKP);
Stone Grand Pulp (SGP), Pressurized Stone Grand Pulp (PGW), Refiner Grand Pulp (RGP), Chemi Grand Pulp (CGP), Thermo Grand Pulp (TGP), Grand Pulp (GP), Thermo Mechanical Pulp (TMP), Mechanical pulp such as chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP) and bleached thermomechanical pulp (BTMP);
Waste paper pulp made from tea waste paper, craft envelope waste paper, magazine waste paper, newspaper waste paper, leaflet waste paper, office waste paper, corrugated waste paper, Kami white waste paper, Kent waste paper, imitation waste paper, lottery waste paper, waste paper waste paper, etc .;
Examples include deinked pulp (DIP) obtained by deinking waste paper pulp. These may be used singly or may be used in combination of plural kinds as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired.

<Chemical treatment step (s1a)>
The chemical treatment step (s1a), which is one of the pretreatment steps (s1), is a step of subjecting the pulp fibers in the pulp slurry to a chemical treatment comprising oxidation treatment, hydrolysis treatment, or a combination thereof. is there. By performing such chemical treatment, it is possible to swell the pulp fiber while breaking a part of the chemical bond in the pulp fiber.

  As a minimum of the pulp fiber concentration in the pulp slurry used for a chemical treatment process (s1a), 3 mass% is preferred and 5 mass% is more preferred. On the other hand, as this upper limit, it is 30 mass%, for example. By setting the concentration range, an efficient chemical treatment can be performed. When the concentration is less than the above lower limit, the amount of pulp fibers processed in one treatment is small, and the efficiency is low. On the other hand, when the concentration exceeds the above upper limit, sufficient stirring cannot be performed, and the reactivity and the like are lowered.

  As a temperature of the pulp slurry used for a chemical treatment process (s1a), 40 degreeC or more and 90 degrees C or less are preferable, for example. In addition, about 40 degreeC or more and 70 degrees C or less are preferable for the process at the time of using an enzyme.

  Examples of the oxidizing agent used in the oxidation treatment include ozone, hypochlorous acid or a salt thereof, chlorous acid or a salt thereof, perchloric acid or a salt thereof, persulfuric acid or a salt thereof, a perorganic acid, and the like. Among these, persulfuric acids (persulfuric acid and salts thereof) are preferable. When performing the oxidation treatment, an oxidation catalyst such as an N-oxyl compound can be used in combination. Examples of the catalyst used for the hydrolysis treatment include acids and enzymes. Examples of the acid include sulfuric acid, persulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and the like, and sulfuric acid and persulfuric acid are preferable. When the acid is used, the pH in the reaction vessel is preferably 3 or less, more preferably 0.5 or more and 2 or less. Examples of the enzyme include a cellulase enzyme, a hemicellulase enzyme, and the like, and a cellulase enzyme is preferable. For the oxidation treatment and the hydrolysis treatment, plural kinds of treatment agents may be used, or the oxidation treatment and the hydrolysis treatment may be combined. When an acid that also functions as an oxidizing agent such as persulfuric acid is used, both an oxidation reaction and a hydrolysis reaction occur.

  The chemical treatment step (s1a) can be performed by storing pulp slurry in a known reaction tank and adding a treatment agent such as an oxidizing agent. As the reaction tank, a paper tower such as a bleaching tower can be used. The treatment (reaction) time of the chemical treatment step is changed according to the concentration and temperature of the pulp slurry, the amount of treatment agent added, and the like, and can be, for example, 0.5 hours to 12 hours.

  The pulp slurry that has undergone the chemical treatment step (s1a) is subjected to neutralization treatment, washing treatment, and the like, if necessary, and is provided to the next step. In the case of chemical treatment using an enzyme, the reaction can also be terminated by raising the pulp slurry temperature by injecting hot water (hot water) into the pulp slurry and inactivating the enzyme.

<Rough defibrating process (s1b)>
The coarse fibrillation treatment step (s1b), which is one of the pretreatment steps (s1), is a step of coarsely defibrating pulp fibers in the pulp slurry with a refiner. Pretreatment using a refiner that beats while applying a load with an extremely small gap effectively imparts shearing force to the pulp fiber, causing fluffing of the pulp fiber, softening the pulp fiber, and preliminary Defibration occurs. A refiner is a device that beats pulp fibers, and known ones can be used. As the refiner, a conical type, a double disc refiner (DDR), and a single disc refiner (SDR) are preferable from the viewpoint that a shear force can be efficiently applied to the pulp fiber and preliminary defibration can be advanced. . In the rough defibrating process, it is preferable to use a refiner from the viewpoint that separation or cleaning after the process is not necessary.

  The lower limit of the pulp fiber concentration of the pulp slurry subjected to the rough defibrating treatment step (s1b) is preferably 1% by mass, and more preferably 2% by mass. On the other hand, as this upper limit, 8 mass% is preferable and 6 mass% is more preferable. By setting the pulp fiber concentration within the above range, the pulp slurry has a suitable viscosity, so that the refined fiber is efficiently coarsely defibrated by the refiner.

  In the rough defibrating treatment step (s1b), for example, a plurality of refiners can be prepared and pulp fibers can be treated continuously. Moreover, it is possible to circulate the pulp slurry with respect to one refiner for a long time.

<Order of chemical treatment step (s1a) and rough defibration treatment step (s1b)>
Either the chemical treatment step (s1a) or the rough defibration treatment step (s1b) may be performed first, but the chemical treatment step (s1a) is preferably performed first. By performing the chemical treatment step (s1a) and the rough defibration step (s1b) in this order, a shear force is efficiently imparted to the pulp fibers swollen by the chemical pretreatment by the refiner. Can improve the efficiency of defibration and reduce energy consumption.

  In addition, the chemical treatment step (s1a) and the rough defibrating treatment step (s1b) can be performed in an overlapping manner. For example, the chemical treatment and the rough defibrating treatment can be performed simultaneously by using the pulp slurry to which the acid, enzyme, oxidizing agent, etc. are added for the rough defibrating treatment step (s1b).

  The minimum of the fine rate of the pulp fiber which is subjected to the pre-treatment step (s1) and supplied to the micronization step (s2) is 60%, preferably 70%, and more preferably 75%. Moreover, the upper limit of this fine ratio is 90%, and 85% is preferable. By setting the fine rate to be equal to or higher than the above lower limit, pulp fibers that have undergone sufficient pretreatment (defibration) are obtained, and further refinement can be efficiently performed in the refinement step (s2). In addition, by setting the fine rate to be equal to or higher than the above lower limit, occurrence of clogging in the flow path of the pulp fiber can be reduced when processing is performed using a high-pressure homogenizer in the miniaturization step (s2). On the other hand, by making the fine rate of this pulp fiber not more than the above upper limit, it is possible to suppress excessive pretreatment, in particular, rough defibrating treatment step (s1b), energy saving as a whole manufacturing process and High efficiency can be achieved and the productivity of cellulose nanofibers can be increased. Here, the “fine ratio” means a mass-based ratio of pulp fibers having a fiber length of 0.2 mm or less and a fiber width of 75 μm or less. This fine rate can be measured by a fiber analyzer “FS5” manufactured by Valmet. The fiber analyzer “FS5” can measure the length and width of the cellulose fiber with high accuracy by image analysis when the diluted cellulose fiber passes through the measurement cell inside the fiber analyzer.

  In addition, you may provide the fine rate measurement process of measuring the fine rate of a pulp fiber between a pre-processing process (s1) and a refinement | miniaturization process (s2).

  The fine rate can be adjusted by the amount of treatment in the pretreatment step (s1), particularly the coarse defibrating treatment step (s1b). For example, lengthening the processing time by the refiner, or narrowing the disc (plate) spacing (clearance) during processing by the refiner, disc blade width, groove width, blade height, blade crossing angle, disc Depending on the combination of patterns, the fine rate can be increased.

  Although it does not specifically limit as an average fiber length of the pulp fiber provided to a refinement | miniaturization process (s2) through a pre-processing process (s1), As a minimum, 0.15 mm is preferable, 0.2 mm is more preferable, 0.2 mm. 25 mm is more preferable. On the other hand, the upper limit is preferably 0.5 mm, and more preferably 0.4 mm. By providing pulp fibers having such a fiber length to the refinement step (s2), energy saving and high efficiency can be achieved as a whole manufacturing process, without causing clogging and improving the defibration degree. The productivity of cellulose nanofibers can be increased.

<Miniaturization step (s2)>
The refinement step (s2) is a step of refining the pulp fibers in the pretreated pulp slurry by the high-pressure homogenizer 1. Cellulose nanofibers can be obtained through this step. According to the method for producing cellulose nanofibers of the present invention, since the above-described two types of pretreatment are performed, the shortening (reduction of the number of treatments) of the finer step (s2) can be achieved.

  Although it does not specifically limit as solid content concentration of the pulp slurry used for a refinement | miniaturization process (s2), 0.1 mass% is preferable as a minimum of the solid content concentration of the said slurry, and 0.2 mass% is more preferable. On the other hand, as said upper limit, 8.0 mass% is preferable and 7.0 mass% is more preferable. When the solid content concentration of the slurry is less than the lower limit, the pulp fibers are not efficiently defibrated, and the production efficiency of cellulose nanofibers may be deteriorated. On the other hand, if the solid content concentration of the slurry exceeds the above upper limit, the viscosity of the slurry becomes too high, so that it is difficult to disentangle pulp fibers and transfer the slurry by mechanical treatment.

  The temperature of the pulp slurry to be subjected to the refinement step (s2) is controlled by a known method. The temperature of the pulp slurry to be fed is preferably 20 ° C. or higher and 70 ° C. or lower, for example. By setting the temperature of the pulp slurry within the above range, the fluidity of the pulp slurry is improved, and the liquid can be fed more efficiently through the inflow / outflow pipe.

  The cellulose nanofibers obtained by the refinement step (s2) are sufficiently refined and have one peak in a pseudo particle size distribution curve measured by a laser diffraction method in a water dispersion state. Further, the particle size (mode) that becomes a peak in the pseudo particle size distribution curve is preferably 5 μm or more and 25 μm or less. When the obtained cellulose nanofiber has such a particle size distribution, it can exhibit good performance that is sufficiently refined. The “pseudo particle size distribution curve” means a curve indicating a volume-based particle size distribution measured using a particle size distribution measuring apparatus (for example, a laser diffraction / scattering type particle size distribution measuring instrument manufactured by Seishin Corporation).

<Other processes>
Cellulose nanofibers obtained through the micronization step (s2) can be subjected to a modification treatment step or a drying step as necessary.

  Cellulose nanofibers obtained in this way are filter materials, filter aids, ion exchanger substrates, fillers for chromatographic analyzers, fillers for compounding resins and rubbers, cosmetic compounding agents, viscosity maintaining agents. It can be widely used for food raw material dough strengthening agents, moisture retention agents, food stabilizers, low calorie additives, emulsion stabilization aids and the like.

[Other Embodiments]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, but is defined by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. The

  The apparatus for producing cellulose nanofibers of the present invention may include one high-pressure homogenizer, or may continuously refine pulp fibers by providing a plurality of high-pressure homogenizers.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is explained in full detail based on an Example, this invention is not interpreted limitedly based on description of this Example.

<Evaluation of energy consumption in miniaturization>
[Example 1]
The following process was implemented using the manufacturing apparatus of the said cellulose nanofiber.
(Chemical treatment process)
A cellulase enzyme was added to a pulp slurry (temperature: 50 ° C.) having a solid content concentration of 10.0% by mass and subjected to chemical treatment. After 5 hours, the enzyme was inactivated by heating to 100 ° C.
(Rough defibrating process)
The pulp slurry subjected to the above chemical treatment was prepared to a solid content concentration of 4% by mass, and subjected to rough defibrating treatment with a refiner. The processing time by the refiner was 10 minutes.
(Miniaturization process)
The pulp slurry that had undergone the above rough defibrating step was prepared to a solid content concentration of 2% by mass, and was subjected to the micronization step using the above-described high-pressure homogenizer. High-pressure homogenizer used was the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is 0.076 mm ^2, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path is 0.173 mm ^2, the cross-sectional area of the third flow path is 0.114 mm ² It has a structure. The flow rate of the pulp slurry in the first flow path of the high-pressure homogenizer used was 329 L / h, the flow speed in the second flow path was 288 L / h, and the flow speed in the third flow path was 218 L / h.

[Example 2]
As a chemical treatment step, an oxidizing agent (ammonium persulfate) was added to a pulp slurry (temperature: 80 ° C.) having a solid content concentration of 10.0% by mass and subjected to a chemical treatment, and neutralized after 5 hours. Except for the above, the same operations as in Example 1 were performed using the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus to obtain cellulose nanofibers.

[Comparative Example 1]
Cellulose nanofibers were obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except that a polishing machine (“Mascoloider” manufactured by Masuko Sangyo Co., Ltd.) was used as the miniaturization step.

[Comparative Example 2]
Cellulose nanofibers were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a polishing machine (“Mascoloider” manufactured by Masuko Sangyo Co., Ltd.) was used as the miniaturization step.

[Example 3]
As a chemical treatment step, an acid (dilute sulfuric acid) is added to a pulp slurry (temperature 80 ° C.) having a solid content concentration of 5.0% by mass to perform chemical treatment, and after 5 hours, neutralized with sodium hydroxide. Except having processed, the cellulose nanofiber was obtained by performing the same operation as Example 1 using the said cellulose nanofiber manufacturing apparatus.

[Comparative Example 3]
Cellulose nanofibers were obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except that a polishing machine (“Mascoloider” manufactured by Masuko Sangyo Co., Ltd.) was used as the miniaturization step.

[Example 4]
Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by performing the same operations as in Example 1 using the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus of the present invention except that the chemical treatment step was not performed.

[Comparative Example 4]
Cellulose nanofibers were obtained in the same manner as in Reference Example 1 except that the chemical treatment step was not performed and an oblique collision type high-pressure homogenizer was used in the miniaturization step.

  In each of the examples and comparative examples, the volume-based particle size distribution of pulp fibers in the treated slurry was measured for each treatment with a high-pressure homogenizer or polishing machine in the refinement treatment. This measurement was performed using a laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution measuring instrument manufactured by Seishin Enterprise Co., Ltd. In the measured pseudo particle size distribution curve, the treatment with a high-pressure homogenizer or a grinder was repeated until there was one peak and this peak was in the range of 5 μm to 25 μm. In the pseudo particle size distribution curve, it was judged that cellulose nanofibers were obtained at the stage where there was one peak and this peak was in the range of 5 μm or more and 25 μm or less, and the refinement process was terminated. Table 1 shows the number of times of the miniaturization process performed in each reference example and reference comparative example.

  In addition, the numerical value shown in the parentheses in the column of each processing step in Table 1 is a relative value indicating the amount of energy consumed per time of each processing step, where 1 is the energy consumption per time of enzyme treatment. is there. The energy (relative value) consumed in the production of the cellulose nanofibers of each reference example and reference comparative example is shown in Table 1 as an integrated value of energy consumed in each step.

＊表中「−」は、処理を行っていないことを示す。

* “-” In the table indicates that no treatment is performed.

  As shown in Table 1 above, by using the high-pressure homogenizer for manufacturing the opposed collision type cellulose nanofiber of the present invention in the miniaturization process, the number of treatments is reduced compared to the case of using other devices, and the energy consumption is reduced. It can be seen that the amount can be greatly reduced.

<Evaluation of clogging and defibrating effect in high-pressure homogenizer>
Using the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus of the present invention, a miniaturization process using a high-pressure homogenizer was performed, and clogging and defibration in the high-pressure homogenizer were evaluated. Each evaluation result is shown in Table 2.

[Examples 5 to 13]
Cellulose nanofibers were produced using the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus of the present invention. Except that the solid content concentration of the pulp slurry, the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path of the high-pressure homogenizer are the same as those described in Table 2, the same as in Example 1, Cellulose nanofibers were produced. The fine rate of the pulp slurry was 77%.

[Comparative Examples 5 to 7]
Cellulose nanofibers were produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the cross-sectional areas and flow velocities of the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path of the high-pressure homogenizer were as shown in Table 2. The fine rate of the pulp slurry was 77% as in the example.

[Clogging evaluation]
The clogging of the pulp slurry in the first flow path, the second flow path, and the third flow path of the high-pressure homogenizer was evaluated. As an evaluation standard, A is a case where no clogging occurs, B is a case where clogging occurs, and C is a case where clogging occurs.

[Defibration degree by photograph]
The cellulose nanofibers subjected to the miniaturization step were photographed at a magnification of 3000 times and 30000 times using an optical microscope, and the degree of defibration was visually determined. As an evaluation standard, A was set when the degree of defibration was very high, B was set when it was high, and C was set when it was inferior.

As shown in Table 2, in the examples, good results were obtained with respect to the defibrating ability and clogging suppression effect of the pulp fibers. In particular, in the cross-sectional area T1 of the first flow path, the cross-sectional area T2 of the second flow path, and the cross-sectional area T3 of the third flow path, the relationship of T1 <T3 <T2 is satisfied, and T1 is 0.060 mm ² or more and 0.090 mm ² or less, T2 is 0.160 mm ² or more and 0.190 mm ² or less, T3 is 0.090 mm ² or more and 0.120 mm ² or less, and the flow rate of the pulp slurry in the first channel is 320 L / h or more. Example in which the flow rate of the pulp slurry in the second flow path is 270 L / h or more and 315 L / h or less, and the flow speed of the pulp slurry in the third flow path is 200 L / h or more and 310 L / h or less. 5 and Example 6 were excellent in both the fibrillation ability and the clogging suppression effect of pulp fibers.

  According to the cellulose nanofiber production apparatus and cellulose nanofiber production method of the present invention, pulp fibers can be defibrated more efficiently and clogging of pulp fibers can be suppressed. Cellulose nanofibers can be efficiently produced by reducing the number of treatments.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 High pressure homogenizer 2 Inner layer part 3 Outer layer part 11 1st flow path 13 2nd flow path 15 3rd flow path 16 Inflow pipe 17 Outflow pipe S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 Pulp slurry X Opposing collision part Y Wall collision part

Claims (2)

An apparatus for producing cellulose nanofibers, comprising a straight-line opposed collision type high-pressure homogenizer that performs refinement processing of pulp slurry containing pulp fibers,
The high pressure homogenizer is
A first flow path for causing the pulp slurry to collide in a straight line;
A second flow path connected perpendicularly to the first flow path at the opposing collision portion in the first flow path;
A third flow path connected perpendicularly to the second flow path,
When the cross-sectional area of the first flow path is T1, the cross-sectional area of the second flow path is T2, and the cross-sectional area of the third flow path is T3, T1 is 0.057 mm ² or more and 0.123 mm ² or less. Yes, T2 is 0.126 mm ² or more and 0.283 mm ² or less, T3 is 0.057 mm ² or more and 0.123 mm ² or less, and T1, T2 and T3 are in a relationship of T1 <T2 and T3 <T2. A device for manufacturing cellulose nanofibers to fill. Using the apparatus for producing cellulose nanofiber according to claim 1,
The flow rate of the pulp slurry in the first flow path is 290 L / h or more and 390 L / h or less, the flow speed of the pulp slurry in the second flow path is 250 L / h or more and 360 L / h or less, and in the third flow path The flow rate of the pulp slurry is 190 L / h or more and 330 L / h or less,
A method for producing cellulose nanofiber, wherein a pulp fiber in a pulp slurry having a solid content concentration of 0.1% by mass or more and 8.0% by mass or less is refined.

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