Conversion of hydrogen chloride to chlorine by catalytic oxidation in a two-zone circulating fluidized bed reactor

A two-zone circulating fluidized bed reactor comprising an oxychlorination zone and a chlorination zone significantly improved the conversion of HCl to Cl2. A supported catalyst for the process composed of 5% of copper, and promoters K in a molar ratio of K to Cu of one and 2.5% CeCl was highly active and stable. The optimal operation temperatures are 390–400 °C in the oxychlorination zone and 200–240 °C in the chlorination zone. A higher conversion of HCl can be obtained with a lower WHSV of HCl and a lower HCl/O2 molar ratio, but the height of the reactor must be high enough.