Abstract: Process and apparatus are provided for producing ethylene by the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane wherein ethane is introduced to a cylindrical jet reactor wherein the ethane is reacted at elevated temperatures with a gas mixture containing oxygen and chlorine, introduced to the reactor through a jet positioned substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the reactor.

Abstract: Process is provided for producing ethylene by the oxidative dehydrogenation ethane wherein a gas containing ethane is passed to a first elongated reaction zone, and a gas mixture containing oxygen and chlorine is passed into a second elongated gas zone positioned along said first gas zone, said first and second gas zones being separated by a porous member. The pressure of gases within the second gas zone is maintained in excess of the pressure in the first gas zone for diffusion of the chlorine and oxygen through the porous member into the first gas zone. The first gas zone is maintained under conditions sufficient to effect reaction therein of at least a portion of diffused oxygen and chlorine with ethane for production of ethylene. The reaction product containing the desired ethylene is discharged from the first gas zone.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of ethylene dichloride from ethane. Ethane is introduced into an autothermic (self-sustaining) cracking zone together with controlled proportions of chlorine and oxygen. The autothermic cracking zone is maintained at a temperature above about 700.degree. C. but below 1000.degree. C. for a sufficient time to convert from about 20 to 95 percent of the ethane having about 96 to 74 percent ethylene yield, respectively, based on the converted ethane. The reaction mixture, containing predominantly ethylene and hydrogen chloride, is quenched with a volatile liquid. The quenched mixture is passed, together with oxygen, into a catalytically activated oxyhydrochlorination zone to convert the ethylene, hydrogen chloride and oxygen to ethylene dichloride. If vinyl chloride is desired as a product, part or all of the produced ethylene dichloride is passed to a second cracking zone for conversion to vinyl chloride product and hydrogen chloride.

Abstract: Apparatus for making ethylene dichloride by reacting ethylene and chlorine in liquid reaction medium includes a reaction zone having gas inlets for the ethylene and chlorine at the lower portion thereof, the reaction zone being connected by conduits to externally located indirect heat exchange means so as to provide a path for continuous circulation of the liquid reaction medium through the reaction zone and the heat exchange means caused by thermosyphon effect generated by heat of reaction and/or the gas-lift effect induced by the introduction of the reactants. The reaction zone has a vapor outlet at the upper portion thereof in communication with condenser means for condensing vaporous ethylene dichloride product to recover liquid ethylene dichloride.