Process for the production of chlorinated propenes
Processes for the production of chlorinated propenes are provided. The present processes make use of 1,2-dichloropropane, a by-product in the production of chlorohydrin, as a low cost starting material, alone or in combination with 1,2,3-trichloropropane. At least one dehydrochlorination is conducted in the gas phase, and is the first process step. The present processes can also generate anhydrous HCl as a byproduct that can be removed from the process and used as a feedstock for other processes, providing further time and cost savings.
1. A process for the production of chlorinated propenes from one or more chlorinated alkanes comprising 1,2-dichloropropane, comprising at least one gas phase dehydrochlorination step that is the first reaction step, wherein the gas phase dehydrochlorination is carried out without the use of a catalyst and at a pressure greater than ambient, wherein the gas phase dehydrochlorination produces one or more monochloropropenes; and wherein the one or more monochloropropenes are separated from the 1,2-dichloropropane, and after separation, the one or more monochloropropenes are subjected to at least one liquid phase chlorination step.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the chlorinated propenes comprise dichloropropenes, trichloropropenes, and/or tetrachloropropenes.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the one or more chlorinated alkanes further comprise 1,2,3-trichloropropane.
4. The process of claim 1 , comprising at least one additional dehydrochlorination step.
5. The process of claim 4 , wherein at least one additional dehydrochlorination step is conducted in the liquid phase, in the presence of one or more catalysts.
6. The process of claim 4 , wherein at least one additional dehydrochlorination step is conducted in the liquid phase, in the presence of caustic.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one chlorination step is conducted in the gas phase.
8. The process of claim 1 , wherein at least one chlorination step is conducted in the liquid phase.
9. The process of claim 1 , wherein HC1 is generated as a byproduct.
10. The process of claim 9 , wherein HC1 is recovered as anhydrous HC1.
11. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dehydrochlorination step is conducted at 200° C. or greater.
12. The process of claim 1 , wherein the 1,2-dichloropropane conversion is from 30% to 70%.
13. The process of claim 12 , wherein the 1,2-dichloropropane conversion is from 40% to 60%.