A two-zone circulating fluidized bed reactor comprising an oxychlorination zone and a chlorination zone significantly improved the conversion of HCl to cl(2). A supported catalyst for the process composed of 5% of copper, and promoters K in a molar ratio of K to Cu of one and 2.5% CeCl was highly active and stable. The optimal operation temperatures are 390-400 degrees C in the oxychlorination zone and 200-240 degrees C in the chlorination zone. A higher conversion of HCl can be obtained with a lower WHSV of HCl and a lower HCl/O-2 molar ratio, but the height of the reactor must be high enough. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.