Andrussow process
Process for industrial production of hydrogen cyanide
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Andrussow process is the dominant industrial process for the production of hydrogen cyanide.[1] It involves the reaction of methane, ammonia, and oxygen. The process is catalyzed by a platinum-rhodium alloy.[2]
- 2 CH4 + 2 NH3 + 3 O2 → 2 HCN + 6 H2O
Hydrogen cyanide is highly valued for the production or acrylonitrile and adiponitrile, as well as alkali metal salts such as potassium cyanide.[1]
Process details
This reaction is very exothermic. The change of enthalpy of this reaction is equal to -481.06 kJ.[3] The heat provided by the main reaction serves as a catalyst for other side reactions.
- CH4 + H2O → CO + 3 H2
- 2 CH4 + 3 O2 → 2 CO + 4 H2O
- 4 NH3 + 3 O2 → 2 N2 + 6 H2O
These side reactions can be minimized by only short exposures to the catalyst of the order of 0.0003 s.[4]
Historical articles
The process is based on a reaction that was discovered by Leonid Andrussow in 1927. In the following years he developed the process that is named after him. HCN is also produced in the BMA process.[5][6]