Position in the Production Line
Step 01
Pre-processing
Step 02
Cellulose Pulverizing
Step 03
Alkalization (Kneader)
Step 04
Etherification & Drying
Complete Process Flow — Cellulose Pulverizing Circuit (with downstream)
Cotton Opener / Pulp Board Crusher
Pre-processing stage
Cellulose Pulverizer
160 kW · 500–700 kg/h · This unit
Cyclone Separator
+ Pulse dust collector
Cellulose Silo
→ Feeding silo
Reactor (Kneader)
Alkalization & etherification

Supporting equipment: Cotton Opening Machine / Pulp Board Pre-Crusher (pre-processing), Cyclone Separator, Pulse Dust Collector, three conveying fans, Cellulose Silo, Cellulose Feeding Silo, and downstream Reactor (Kneader).

Equipment Overview
160 kW Main Motor 500–700 kg/h Capacity Temperature Controlled ~50°C Explosion-Proof National Patent · 2018 20+ Reference Plants CMC / PAC Production EPC or Equipment-Only

This cellulose pulverizer is a core piece of fine-grinding equipment developed for the cellulose ether industry. It receives pre-opened refined cotton or pre-crushed pulp board from the upstream pre-processing machine and reduces it to the micron-scale cellulose powder required for the alkalization and etherification reactions in the downstream reactor.

A critical design feature is the integrated temperature control system, which maintains operating temperature at approximately 50°C during continuous crushing. This prevents thermal degradation of refined cotton — which would reduce degree of polymerization (DP) and compromise the viscosity and quality of the final CMC or PAC product.

The machine holds a national patent (granted December 7, 2018) and has been commissioned in more than 20 cellulose manufacturing plants across China. On-site data confirms stable continuous operation, consistent output particle size, and low energy consumption per tonne of cellulose powder produced.

Key Features Design Highlights
  • Temperature-controlled crushing to protect degree of polymerization: Degree of polymerization (DP) directly determines the viscosity of the final CMC or PAC product. Thermal degradation of cellulose during high-speed grinding is the primary mechanism of DP loss. This machine incorporates engineered cooling measures that maintain the crushing chamber at approximately 50°C, preserving DP and ensuring consistent product quality batch after batch.
  • 160 kW explosion-proof main motor with hydraulic pump station: The 160 kW main motor carries a dust explosion-proof rating of ExtDⅢBT130°C. A 1.5 kW hydraulic pump station (also explosion-proof) provides additional functionality for controlled operation. The power configuration delivers stable, continuous output at 500–700 kg/h for industrial-scale CMC and PAC production.
  • Optimised rotor speed for output and bearing life: Rotor speed has been calibrated through extensive experimental validation to achieve the optimal balance among production output, operational safety, and bearing service life — maximising throughput while minimising unplanned maintenance downtime.
  • 26-blade rotor with precision clearance control: The rotor carries 26 matched moving blades, installed diagonally to balance centrifugal forces. Blade-to-fixed-blade clearance is maintained at 0.3–0.4 mm (verified by feeler gauge) and secured through a three-stage torque tightening procedure, ensuring consistent particle size distribution in the output powder.
  • Patented design, validated in 20+ plants: The machine holds a Chinese national patent granted in 2018 and has been successfully commissioned in more than 20 cellulose production enterprises across China, spanning CMC, PAC, and cellulose ether facilities of varying production scales.
Technical Specifications Cellulose Pulverizer
ParameterSpecification
ApplicationFine grinding of refined cotton and pulp board for CMC / PAC cellulose ether production — reactor feed preparation
Rated Capacity500 – 700 kg/h
Main Motor Power160 kW
Main Motor Ex RatingExtDⅢBT130°C (dust explosion protection)
Hydraulic Pump Station1.5 kW · ExtDⅢBT130°C
Operating Temperature~50°C (temperature-controlled to protect cellulose DP)
Moving Blades26 blades · installed diagonally for rotor balance
Blade Clearance0.3 – 0.4 mm (feeler gauge verified)
Blade Replacement IntervalEvery 80 – 120 tonnes of processed cotton powder
No-Load CommissioningMin. 40 minutes · hand-turn check before first start
Pre-start Air Pressure>= 0.04 MPa (dust removal pulse system)
Bearing LubricationMulti-purpose lithium-based grease · every 20 days
Grounding Resistance<= 4 Ω · stainless steel grounding bolts · copper-core wire >= 2.5 mm²
PatentChinese National Patent · granted 7 December 2018

Dimensional data and detailed electrical specifications available on request. Custom configurations for non-standard production capacities or layouts can be engineered as part of an EPC project.

Moving Blade Installation Three-Stage Torque Procedure

Correct blade installation is critical for rotor balance, particle size consistency, and bearing life. Weight deviation between moving blades must be <= 10 g (verified with >= 1 g accuracy scale). Install blades diagonally in matched pairs. Tighten in three stages with feeler gauge verification between stages:

30
N·m
Stage 1 — Preliminary tightening of all bolts
70
N·m
Stage 2 — Tap with copper rod, confirm full contact, retighten
150
N·m
Stage 3 — Final tightening after second copper rod confirmation
⚠ Blade Handling Rules

Only use a nylon hammer when tapping blades — metal hammers are strictly prohibited and will damage blade edges. Inspect every blade for cracks or defects before installation; defective blades must not be installed. After installation, inspect each blade, pressure block, and cutter disc for full contact — any gap or looseness must be corrected before starting the machine.

Startup Sequence Required Order

The startup sequence must be strictly followed. Reverse operation or skipping any step is prohibited and may cause equipment damage or a production incident:

  1. Activate the pre-dust removal pulse system. Confirm air pressure is >= 0.04 MPa before proceeding.
  2. Start the Main Machine (cellulose pulverizer). Allow to reach stable operating speed.
  3. Start the Fan (conveying fan).
  4. Start the Cotton Opener / Pulp Board Pre-Crusher (upstream pre-processing machine).
  5. Start the feeding conveyor. Gradually increase feed rate to rated capacity while monitoring motor current and bearing temperature.
Scheduled Wear Parts Maintenance Reference
Part Name Model / Specification Notes
Main Shaft Bearing 23228cck/w33 + H2328 Lubricate with multi-purpose lithium-based grease every 20 days
V-Belt 8 × C5100 Inspect regularly for wear and tension; replace as a full set
Fixed Blades 1130 mm total length · 3 × M10 mounting bolts · 70° cutting angle Replace together with moving blades every 80–120 tonnes of processed cotton powder; torque fixed blades at 40 kg·m
Moving Blades 548 mm × 55 mm × 16 mm · 70° cutting angle 26 blades per set; weight-match pairs (<= 10 g deviation); install diagonally; three-stage torque (30 / 70 / 150 N·m)
Screen Mesh 1145 mm × 1544 mm (Type A) · 1145 mm × 1532 mm (Type B) Slot dimensions: 30×26 mm / 10×26 mm (Type A); 30×27 mm / 10×26 mm (Type B); inspect for blockage and deformation

For additional parts and maintenance intervals, refer to the full Maintenance Manual supplied with the equipment.

Reference Installations 20+ Plants

This cellulose pulverizer has been commissioned in more than 20 cellulose manufacturing enterprises across China, covering CMC production plants, PAC production lines, and mixed-grade cellulose ether facilities. Installations span a wide range of production capacities. A full reference list is available on request.

CMC Production Plants
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
PAC Production Lines
Polyanionic cellulose · Oilfield grade
Cellulose Ether Facilities
HEC · HPMC · Mixed-grade
20+ installations in China · Reference list available on request

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is temperature control critical in a cellulose pulverizer for CMC production?

Degree of polymerization (DP) is the key parameter that determines the viscosity of CMC and PAC products. High-speed mechanical grinding generates friction heat that can thermally degrade cellulose chains, reducing DP and therefore the final product viscosity. This pulverizer maintains the crushing chamber at approximately 50°C through engineered cooling measures, preserving DP and ensuring consistent product viscosity across production batches.

What is the difference between a cellulose pulverizer and a pulp board pre-crusher?

A pulp board pre-crusher performs coarse size reduction — breaking compressed pulp boards (wood pulp or cotton pulp) from slab form into centimetre-scale particles. The cellulose pulverizer then performs fine grinding, reducing those particles to the micron-scale cellulose powder required for the alkalization reaction in the kneader. The two machines operate in series, with the pre-crusher output conveyed pneumatically into the pulverizer feed.

How often do the moving blades and fixed blades need to be replaced?

Under normal operating conditions, both moving blades and fixed blades should be replaced when the cumulative processed cotton powder volume reaches 80–120 tonnes. Delayed replacement causes reduced capacity, increased operating temperature, loss of particle size uniformity, higher energy consumption, and accelerated wear on other components. Always replace the full set of 26 moving blades simultaneously to maintain rotor balance.

What cellulose raw materials can this pulverizer process?

This cellulose pulverizer is designed to process refined cotton (linter pulp) that has been pre-opened by a cotton opening machine, and pre-crushed wood pulp board or cotton pulp board from a pulp board pre-crusher. The output cellulose powder is suitable as reactor feed for CMC, PAC, HEC, HPMC, and other cellulose ether production processes.

Can ZHAOYUAN supply the cellulose pulverizer as part of a complete CMC or PAC plant?

Yes. ZHAOYUAN offers the cellulose pulverizer as a standalone unit, as part of the pre-processing package (cotton opener or pulp board crusher + pulverizer + dust collection), or as the fine-grinding stage of a complete EPC CMC or PAC production line. For EPC projects, ZHAOYUAN handles engineering, equipment supply for all stages (pre-processing through to finished product packaging), installation supervision, and commissioning.

What capacity range is available, and can it be customised?

The rated capacity of this machine is 500–700 kg/h of cellulose powder, suitable for medium-to-large-scale CMC and PAC production lines. For projects requiring higher or lower throughput, ZHAOYUAN can discuss alternative configurations or multi-unit arrangements as part of an EPC project scope. Contact us with your target annual production volume and we will advise on the appropriate equipment configuration.