Production of 1,2-dichloroethane

Abstract

The invention provides a process for making 1,2-dichloroethane by subjecting ethylene to an oxychlorination reaction with hydrogen chloride and a gas containing molecular oxygen, in gas phase, at elevated temperature and in contact with a fluidized bed catalyst of copper-II-chloride on a carrier, wherein the reaction gases are cooled under pressure in two condensation stages, condensed 1,2-dichloroethane and water are removed, the bulk of unreacted starting gas and inert gas are recycled, the reaction gases coming from the second condensation stage are delivered to a third condensation stage, cooled therein under pressure down to a temperature within the range 5.degree. to 18.degree. C. and to the extent necessary to retain in the recycle gas 0.5 to 3 volume % of 1,2-dichloroethane, and the recycle gas is admixed, directly upstream of the reactor, with a quantity of pure oxygen necessary to replace consumed oxygen. The present process provides more specifically for preheated hydrogen chloride to be wholly or partially introduced into the recycle gas heated to 150.degree. to 200.degree. C. and for the latter to be then admixed with pure oxygen, the oxygen being admitted at a point lying between the hydrogen chloride feed point and the feed point of the recycle gas into the reactor.