Vinyl Chloride

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Physical Properties

1.2 Chemical Properties

1.3 Uses of Vinyl Chloride Monomer

1.4 Toxic effect of Vinyl Chloride Monomer

SECTION 2 VINYL CHLORIDE MONOMER PRODUCTIONS

2.1 History

2.2 Production Trends

2.3 Selection of Process

SECTION 3 PYROLYSIS OF ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE

3.1 Process Flow Diagram

3.2 Process Description

SECTION 4 MATERIAL BALANCE CALCULATIONS

4.1 Pyrolysis tower Balance

4.2 Separators Balance

4.3 Oxy-chlorination tower Balance

4.4 Direct chlorination tower Balance

1. INTRODUCTION

Vinyl chloride is an organochloride with the formula C2H3Cl. This colorless compound is an important industrial chemical chiefly used to produce the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). At ambient pressure and temperature, vinyl chloride is a gas with a sickly sweet odor. It is highly toxic, flammable and carcinogenic. Vinyl chloride monomer is also known as chloromethane in IUPAC nomenclature. The threshold for detecting odor is 3000parts per million. VCM is soluble in many organic solvents but is not soluble in water. As it is often stored under pressure the contact during depressurization may cause frost bite.

1.1 GENERAL PROPERTIES

 Formula: C2H3Cl

 Molecular weight: 62.50

 Chemical structure:

 Melting point (˚C):-153.8

 Boiling point (˚C):-13.4

 Auto-ignition temperature (˚C): 472

 Relative vapor density: 2.2

 Specific gravity: 0.9106

 Solubility: slightly soluble in water (2.4 g/l at 25°C)

1.2 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES:

 VCM can polymerize rapidly due to heating and under influence of air, light and contact with a catalyst, strong oxidizers and metals such as copper and aluminum, with fire or explosive hazards.

 As a gas mixed with air, VCM forms peroxides which can be a fire and explosion hazard.

 On standing VCM can form...