Occidental Chemical Corporation

Krishnan Viswanathan

Tilak V Bommaraju

Edward H Cook, Jr

Hang-Chang Bobby Chen

Sidney W Benson

Arthur C Schulz

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:

Process for the production of ethylene and mixture containing ethylene

A method is provided for preventing the dissolution of transition metal-based cathodes used in chlor-alkali diaphragm cells by adding a small amount of a corrosion inhibitor, such as sodium silicate or trisodium phosphate, to the electrolytic solution during periods of interrupted current flow to the cell. The corrosion inhibitor is adsorbed on the surface of the cathode and forms an adherent protective film on the cathode. This film protects the cathode by preventing dissolution of the transition metal in the cathode coating due to oxidation by sodium hypochlorite.

Method for preventing cathode corrosion

A foraminous protective cathode for diaphragm-type electrolytic cells having a steel cathode and polymeric microporous separator reduces or eliminates separator plugging thereby increasing useful life-expectancy of the separator. The protective cathode positioned between the primary steel cathode and separator has an electroconductive metallic surface of nickel, cobalt, copper, chromium, noble metals, noble metal oxides or mixtures thereof.

Method of increasing useful life expectancy of microporous separators

A method is provided for extending the life of transition metal-based cathodes used in chlor-alkali diaphragm cells by adding a small amount of a reducing agent, such as Na.sub.2 SO.sub.3 or urea, to the electrolytic solution during periods of interrupted current flow to the cell. The reducing agent reacts with the sodium hypochlorite which is dissolved in the electrolytic solution to prevent the oxidation, and hence dissolution, of the transition metal in the cathode coating.

Growing community of inventors

Niagara Falls, NY, United States of America

Krishnan Viswanathan