Process and apparatus for recovering 1,2-dichloroethane from off-gas

A continuous process for completely removing and recovering 1,2-dichloroethane from the off-gas obtained during the production of 1,2-dichloroethane by subjecting ethylene to an oxychlorination reaction with hydrogen chloride and oxygen, the off-gas being initially contacted with active carbon, then incinerated at temperatures higher than 900.degree. C. and ultimately freed from hydrogen chloride and chlorine, and the active carbon being freed from 1,2-dichloroethane and regenerated by treating it with hot steam, which comprises:

• heating the off-gas loaded with the 1,2-dichloroethane and having a temperature of 1.degree. C. to 10.degree. C. to a temperature at least 20.degree. C. higher than the respective dew point of water and contacting it with the active carbon, the active carbon being placed in two zones resembling one another and in one of which the 1,2-dichloroethane is being absorbed from the off-gas over a period of 8 to 16 hours, the other zone being regenerated in three stages, charging the active carbon zone loaded with the 1,2-dichloroethane in a first regenerating stage with steam under a pressure of 4 to 10 bars and freeing it from the 1,2-dichloroethane, drying it in a second regenerating stage by means of off-gas heated to 100.degree.-150.degree. C. and being free from 1,2-dichloroethane, and cooling it in a third regenerating stage by injecting off-gas free from 1,2-dichloroethane, condensing the freed 1,2-dichloroethane and steam, the condensed 1,2-dichloroethane and a portion of the condensed steam being recycled into the oxychlorination reaction and the off-gas being incinerated.