The invention relates to a method and a device for preparing 
modified cellulose, the device comprises a reaction kettle, the reaction kettle is internally provided with a 
solid-liquid space for reaction and a 
gas phase space for accommodating gas overflowing from the 
solid-liquid space, an outer circulation 
system is arranged outside the reaction kettle, the inlet end of the outer circulation 
system is communicated with the 
gas phase space in the reaction kettle, the inlet end of the outer circulation 
system is communicated with the 
gas phase space, and the outlet end of the outer circulatingsystem extends into the reaction kettle. The device is used for preparing hydroxypropyl 
methyl cellulose, 
hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose and other substances from 
cellulose, when 
cellulose etherification reaction is carried out, liquid in the 
solid-liquid space is heated and gasified, enters the gas-
phase space firstly and then circularly enters the reaction kettle through the outer circulation system, so that the pressure in the kettle can be reduced, and the overall safety performance is guaranteed, the 
pressure resistance and sealing performance of the reaction kettle can be reduced, meanwhile, the liquid continuously passes through the outer circulation system and returns into the reaction kettle, so that the reaction liquid in the reaction kettle is always in an excessive state, the 
reaction speed is high, and the production efficiency is high.