VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER

(DIRECT CHLORINATION)
By Andini Putri Pranintya

Direct Chlorination

Ethylene and chlorine combine in a

homogeneous catalytic reaction to form
EDC.
FeCl3 + Cl2 FeCl4-Cl+
FeCl4-Cl+ + CH2CH2 FeCl3 + ClCH2CH2Cl

Direct Chlorination
The direct chlorination reaction was
modeled using kinetics from Wachi and
Morikawa. This kinetic data provided rate
constants that are used to determine
reaction rates.
A plug flow reactor molar continuity
equation was numerically integrated to
determine consumption of reactants and
production of products.

A plug flow reactor molar

continuity equation

Fk : molar flow rate

z :tube length
v : stoichiometric coefficient
r :rate of reaction
At
: tube area.

Direct Chlorination Reactor Modeling Results

Direct Chlorination Reactor

Effluent Flow Rates (lb-mol/hr)

The direct chlorination reaction is exothermic

(H = -180kJ/mol)
Early reactor design had the operating
temperature of the reactor at 50-60C.
Temperature control is achieved by cooling
water flowing on the shell side of the PFTR;
therefore, carbon steel is used to fabricate
the shell of the reactor.
Stainless steel tubes are required because of
the corrosive HCl produced by the reaction.

Direct Chlorination Reactor

Parameters

Direct Chlorination Control and

Instrumentation
Reactant flow to the direct chlorination reactor
is controlled by control valves that receive their
corresponding signal from the ethylene flow
transmitter.
The direct chlorination reactor temperature is
controlled by the flow rate of the cooling fluid.
Temperature transmitters on the tube side of
the reactor ensure proper temperature control.
The caustic scrubber is controlled by ratio
control that is used to adjust NaOH flow based
on product pH and feed flow rate.

Direct Chlorination PFD