PRODUCTION OF CHLORINE AND IRON OXIDE FROM FERRIC CHLORIDE

摘要

An improved process is provided for producing chlorine and iron oxide in a fluidized-bed reactor by treating ferric chloride in the vapor phase with an excess of oxygen at a temperature of 550 DEG to 800 DEG C. in the presence of a catalyst made from sodium chloride and iron oxide. A carbonaceous fuel is fed to the reactor bed to supply supplemental heat. The improvement comprises using a fluidized-bed reactor in which a portion of the bed material is continuously recycled and the carbonaceous fuel is supplied in a pulverized solid form in an amount equal to between 1 and 9 percent of the weight of the iron chloride fed. The fuel has a stable ignition temperature in air of no higher than 500 DEG C. and contains hydrogen amounting to between 0.5 and 2.5 percent by weight of the fuel. The process is particularly useful for avoiding potential pollution problems associated with the disposal of iron chloride by-product from ilmenite chlorination processes while recovering valuable chlorine.