Process for the production of light olefins from ethanol in the presence of a macroporous catalyst that comes in the form of balls

A process for the production of C3-C6 light olefins from ethanol comprising at least:

• 1) Passing a gaseous feedstock that contains ethanol into at least one reaction unit provided with at least one catalyst in the form of spherical balls with a diameter of between 1 and 3 mm, whereby each of said spherical balls comprises at least one zeolite and at least one alumina-based substrate and has a pore distribution such that the macropore volume measured by mercury porosimetry is between 0.10 and 0.20 ml/g, and the mesopore volume measured by mercury porosimetry is between 0.25 and 0.35 ml/g, so as to produce at least one gas effluent that comprises at least said C3-C6 light olefins, and
• 2) Fractionating of the gas effluent obtained in a stage 1) so as to collect at least one gaseous fraction comprising said light olefins, at least one organic liquid fraction comprising compounds having a boiling point less than 150° C. and at least one aqueous liquid effluent.