Manufacture of perchloroethylene from carbon tetrachloride in the presence of hydrogen

A noncatalytic thermal process for making perchloroethylene and hydrogen chloride from carbon tetrachloride, in the presence of hydrogen under conditions which maximize consumption of carbon tetrachloride, which process comprises introducing the following materials into a reaction zone:

• (a) carbon tetrachloride as the principal reactive compound;
• (b) elemental hydrogen and chlorine, the hydrogen and chlorine being introduced in amounts sufficient to provide heat for the pyrolysis of carbon tetrachloride at a reaction temperature between about 500.degree. and about 700.degree. C.;
• and
• (c) excess carbon tetrachloride as a diluent in an amount sufficient to maintain the reaction temperature between about 500.degree. and about 700.degree. C.;
• and withdrawing a product mixture from the reaction zone, condensing the product mixture, and separating perchloroethylene from the product mixture.