| abstract |
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of vinyl chloride comprising the following steps: in a production step, a first reactor output stream is produced by catalytic reaction of ethane, ethylene, oxygen and at least one hydrogen chloride, chlorine or saturated chlorinated hydrocarbon source, said ethane for said ethylene. a molar ratio of 0.02 to 50; said first reactor outlet stream is cooled and condensed to produce a crude product stream comprising a first portion of said hydrogen chloride and a crude refrigerated hydrogen chloride stream comprising said second portion of said hydrogen chloride; separating said crude product stream into a vinyl chloride monomer stream and a light component stream comprising said first portion of said hydrogen chloride, catalytically reacting said substantially all of said first portion hydrogen chloride in said stream containing said light components to form a second reactor outlet stream substantially hydrogenated; free from chloride; and recirculating said second reactor output stream with said ethane, said ethylene, said oxygen, and said chlorine source for said catalytic reaction. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the above process, and to vinyl chloride produced by the process. HE |