The block diagram shows the main steps in the balanced process for the production of vinyl chloride from ethylene. Each block represents a reactor and several other processing units. The main reactions are:

The HCl from the pyrolysis step is recycled to the oxyhydrochlorination step. The flow of ethylene to the chlorination and oxyhydrochlorination reactors is adjusted so that the production of HCl is in balance with the requirement. The conversion in the pyrolysis reactor is limited to 55%, and the unreacted dichloroethane (DCE) is separated and recycled.

Using the yield figures given, and neglecting any other losses, calculate the flow of ethylene to each reactor and the flow of DCE to the pyrolysis reactor, for a production rate of 12,500 kg/h vinyl chloride (VC)

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Block A, chlorination C₂H4 + Cl2 → C₂H4Cl2, yield on ethylene 98 per cent Block B, oxyhydrochlorination C₂H4+2HC1+0.502 C₂H4Cl₂ + H₂0 yields: on ethylene 95%, on HC190% Block C, pyrolysis → C₂H4Cl2 → C₂H3Cl + HCl, yields : on DCE 99 per cent, on HC1 99.5 per cent