Abstract: A catalyst is prepared by impregnating a &ggr;-alumina support with a magnesium salt, drying the product, and impregnating the product with a copper salt, preferably together with a lithium salt. The catalyst preferably contains 0.1 to 5% magnesium, 2 to 10% copper and 0 to 5% lithium, by weight, and is particularly effective in oxygen-based processes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cylindrical hollow moulded catalyst having an outer diameter ranging from about 4 mm to about 7 mm, an inner diameter ranging from about 2 mm to about 2.8 mm, length ranging from about 6.1 mm to about 6.9 mm, and the ratio of the outer diameter to the inner diameter ranging from about 2 to about 2.5. The molded catalyst of the present invention is effective in the oxychlorination process, has a low resistance to flow, allows for good heat exchange with the wall of an industrial reactor and, with a suitable active phase based on copper and such additives as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, group IIIB metals and lanthanides, is a good catalyst for fixed bed oxychlorination processes.

Abstract: A method for the oxychlorination of ethylene to produce 1,2-dichloroethane comprises reacting ethylene with a chlorine source and an oxygen source in a fixed-bed oxychlorination reactor in the presence of a catalyst, and is characterized in that a single reactor is used and ethylene is present in a large molar excess with respect to chlorine. The chlorine source is suitably HCl, the catalyst is suitably a cupric chloride catalyst, and the molar excess of ethylene is preferably between 200 and 700%.

Abstract: In the oxychlorination of ethylene to produce 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC), in which ethylene, a chlorine source and an oxygen source are reacted in a fixed-bed oxychlorination reactor in the presence of a catalyst, a twin reactor system is used and the catalyst is a cupric chloride catalyst whose activity profile is arranged such that the reagent flow first comes into contact with a first layer of high activity catalyst, than a second layer of low activity catalyst and finally a third layer of high activity catalyst.

Abstract: A method for the catalytic oxychlorination of ethane to VCM comprising combining ethane and a chlorine source in an oxychlorination reactor in the presence of an oxychlorination catalyst, the reaction conditions being selected to reduce the influence of the oxychloride form of the catalyst, separating the VCM product from the output of the reactor and recycling the by-products to the reactor.

Abstract: A method for the production of vinyl chloride monomer by catalytic oxychlorination of ethane wherein HCl is supplied in excess of the stiochiometric requirement for chlorine in the reaction.

Abstract: A method for the catalytic oxychlorination of ethane to VCM comprising the steps of combining ethane and a chlorine source in an oxychlorination reactor with a suitable catalyst to promote the oxychlorination of the ethane, collecting the resultant VCM and by-productsand recycling the by-products to the oxychlorination reactor to participate in the reaction therein.