Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides an efficient process for the production of ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and vinyl chloride, in which some 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) may also be produced, by reacting chlorine with ethane. The process is characterized by a conversion of ethane per pass through the reactor of at least about 50%, and a combined molar yield of ethylene and vinyl chloride of at least about 80% based on the ethane consumed. In accordance with this invention, there is provided a process for preparing ethylene or a mixture of ethylene and vinyl chloride by the reaction of ethane and chlorine which comprises: (a) providing a stream of ethane feed gas and a stream of chlorine feed gas; (b) preheating either said ethane stream only or both said ethane and chlorine streams; (c) thoroughly mixing said ethane and chlorine feed gases within about one second and at a molar ratio of ethane to chlorine of at least about 0.9:1.0; (d) said preheating being sufficient to enable the resultant mixture to have a temperature above the free radical formation temperature for chlorine; and (e) permitting said ethane and chlorine in said mixture to react so that the reacted mixture has a temperature between about 600.degree. C. and 800.degree. C.; whereby the combined molar yield of ethylene and vinyl chloride is at least about 80 percent of the ethane reacted.

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First Claim