Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) is a water-soluble polymer widely used in oil drilling, construction, coatings, papermaking, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other industries. Its production process involves complex chemical reactions and strict process control.

(1) Raw material preparation

The main raw materials of hydroxyethyl cellulose include:
Cellulose: Usually high-purity cotton cellulose or wood pulp cellulose is used, which is finely processed to remove impurities.
Ethylene oxide: This is the main etherifying agent used to introduce hydroxyethyl groups.
Alkali solution: Usually sodium hydroxide solution, used for alkalization of cellulose.
Organic solvent: such as isopropanol, used to dissolve cellulose and promote reaction.

(2) Process steps

Alkalization of cellulose:
Suspend cellulose in an organic solvent (such as isopropanol) and add sodium hydroxide solution for alkalization.
In the alkalization reaction, the hydrogen bond structure of cellulose is broken, making the hydroxyl groups on the cellulose molecular chain more easily react with ethylene oxide.
The alkalization reaction is usually carried out at a certain temperature (such as 50-70°C) and continued for a period of time under stirring conditions.
Etherification reaction:

Ethylene oxide is gradually added to the alkalized cellulose system.
Ethylene oxide reacts with the hydroxyl groups on cellulose to form hydroxyethyl cellulose.
The reaction temperature is usually between 50-100°C, and the reaction time varies depending on the target product.
At this stage, the reaction conditions (such as temperature, time, amount of ethylene oxide, etc.) determine the degree of substitution and solubility of hydroxyethyl cellulose.
Neutralization and washing:

After the reaction is completed, an acid (such as hydrochloric acid) is added to neutralize the excess alkali solution, and the reaction product is washed clean to remove unreacted chemicals and by-products.
Washing is usually carried out by water washing, and after multiple washings, the pH value of the product is close to neutral.
Filtration and drying:

The washed hydroxyethyl cellulose is passed through a filter to remove excess water.
The filtered product is dried, usually by spray drying or hot air drying, to reduce its moisture content to the specified standard (such as less than 5%).
The dried product is in powder or fine granule form.
Crushing and screening:

The dried hydroxyethyl cellulose is crushed to achieve the required particle size.

The crushed product is screened to obtain products of different particle sizes to meet the needs of different application fields.

Packaging and storage:

The screened hydroxyethyl cellulose product is packaged according to specifications.

The packaging material is usually a moisture-proof and dust-proof plastic bag or paper bag, plus a woven bag or carton.

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse to prevent moisture or heat deterioration.

(3) Quality control

Quality control is crucial in the production process of hydroxyethyl cellulose. It mainly includes the following aspects:

Raw material quality control: Ensure that the purity and quality of cellulose, ethylene oxide and other auxiliary materials meet the requirements.

Production process parameter control: Accurately control key parameters such as temperature, pressure, time, pH value, etc. to ensure stable product quality.

Finished product testing: Strictly test the substitution degree, viscosity, solubility, purity and other indicators of the final product to ensure that it meets customer requirements.

(4) Environmental protection and safety
The production of hydroxyethyl cellulose involves chemicals such as organic solvents and ethylene oxide. Corresponding environmental protection and safety measures must be taken during the production process:

Wastewater treatment: Wastewater generated during the production process must be treated before discharge to avoid environmental pollution.

Waste gas treatment: Ethylene oxide is toxic and flammable. The reaction tail gas needs to be treated by equipment such as absorption towers to reduce air pollution.

Safety protection: Operators need to wear protective equipment to avoid contact with harmful chemicals. At the same time, production facilities should be equipped with fire prevention, explosion prevention and other safety devices.

The production process of hydroxyethyl cellulose involves multiple complex chemical reactions and sophisticated process control. From raw material preparation to finished product packaging, every link has an important impact on the performance and quality of the final product. With the advancement of technology and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the production process of hydroxyethyl cellulose is also being continuously optimized to improve product quality, reduce costs and reduce environmental impact.