Method for controlling oxygen level during continuous xanthation of alkali cellulose

A continuous process for xanthating and dissolving alkali cellulose in a single chamber under an atmosphere containing less than 3% oxygen comprising continuously feeding crumbs of alkali cellulose into a closed reaction chamber where it is continuously contacted with carbon disulfide, continuously diffusing nitrogen upwardly into said alkali cellulose as it enters said chamber to displace any air entrained in said alkali cellulose with nitrogen prior to its entering said chamber, maintaining said alkali cellulose free of ambient air after diffusing nitrogen therethrough, holding said alkali cellulose within said reaction chamber for a period of time sufficient to complete the reaction thereof with carbon disulfide and convert said alkali cellulose to cellulose xanthate, dissolving said cellulose xanthate within said chamber in an aqueous solution, and continuously removing said dissolved cellulose xanthate from said reaction chamber while maintaining the atmosphere in said chamber at less than 3% oxygen solely by said continuous purging of the alkali cellulose with nitrogen as it is fed into said chamber.