Polymers - INEOS Chlor
Polymers - INEOS Chlor
Polymers - INEOS Chlor
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
6<br />
<strong>Polymers</strong><br />
EDC / VCM<br />
Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is the major raw material used in the manufacture of PVC. It is produced<br />
from the basic raw materials of ethylene and chlorine.<br />
Ethylene, one of the most important building blocks of the petrochemical industry, is produced by the<br />
thermal cracking of hydrocarbons. <strong>Chlor</strong>ine is produced by the electrolysis of salt (sodium chloride),<br />
and is a co-product of the manufacture of caustic soda. Ethylene and chlorine are reacted together to<br />
form the important process intermediate, ethylene dichloride (EDC).<br />
A complete VCM production plant consists of the following major units:<br />
• A direct chlorination unit in which ethylene and chlorine are combined in a continuous process to<br />
form EDC<br />
• An EDC cracking unit in which EDC is thermally decomposed into VCM and hydrogen chloride<br />
• An oxychlorination unit in which recycled hydrogen chloride is reacted with further ethylene feedstock<br />
in the presence of copper chloride catalyst and oxygen.<br />
EVC’s VCM and PVC resins facilities are located on large integrated sites. VCM is produced principally<br />
for use within EVC with any surplus being sold on the external market. Production capacity of VCM<br />
stands at 1.1 million tonnes per annum.<br />
Ethylene<br />
Oxygen<br />
Ethylene<br />
<strong>Chlor</strong>ine<br />
EVC International N.V.<br />
Oxychlorination<br />
Direct<br />
<strong>Chlor</strong>ination<br />
Hydrogen <strong>Chlor</strong>ide Recycle<br />
EDC Purification<br />
EDC Recycle<br />
Water By Products<br />
EDC Cracking<br />
VCM
Change language