Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement to the BMA process for the production of hydrogen cyanide from methane and ammonia in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst. The problem of sooting, and thus the decrease in activity, of the catalysts can be reduced, or the activity increased, in that the catalyst is doped with an element from the series Cu, Ag, Au, Pd and W. The doping is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 20 mole % doping element, based on Pt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement to the BMA process for the production of hydrogen cyanide from methane and ammonia in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst. The problem of sooting, and thus the decrease in activity, of the catalysts can be reduced, or the activity increased, in that the catalyst is doped with an element from the series Cu, Ag, Au, Pd and W. The doping is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 20 mole % doping element, based on Pt.

Abstract: A reactor for performing endothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed formed of a monolithic counterflow reactor with parallel heating and reaction channels. The internal walls of the reaction channels are coated with a catalyst for the catalytic reaction to be performed, while the internal walls of the heating channels have a catalyst for the catalytic combustion of a fuel gas/air mixture.

Abstract: A reactor for performing endothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed formed of a monolithic counterflow reactor with parallel heating and reaction channels. The internal walls of the reaction channels are coated with a catalyst for the catalytic reaction to be performed, while the internal walls of the heating channels have a catalyst for the catalytic combustion of a fuel gas/air mixture.

Abstract: A reactor for performing endothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed formed of a monolithic counterflow reactor with parallel heating and reaction channels. The internal walls of the reaction channels are coated with a catalyst for the catalytic reaction to be performed, while the internal walls of the heating channels have a catalyst for the catalytic combustion of a fuel gas/air mixture.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen cyanide by the gas-phase reaction of methane with ammonia at elevated temperature and an ammonia/methane ratio of 1.001 to 1.1. The conducting of the gaseous reaction mixture through a corona discharge causes the reaction to start at temperatures below 1000.degree. C. without the action of a catalyst. This results in considerable savings of the necessary investment expenses as well as of the running costs for energy.

Abstract: A reactor for performing endothermic catalytic reactions is disclosed formed of a monolithic counterflow reactor with parallel heating and reaction channels. The internal walls of the reaction channels are coated with a catalyst for the catalytic reaction to be performed, while the internal walls of the heating channels have a catalyst for the catalytic combustion of a fuel gas/air mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing catalytically active coatings for the synthesis of hydrogen cyanide on moulded items substantially consisting of aluminum oxide. The catalytically active coatings contain, as active components, at least one platinum group metal and a nitride waich are applied to the moulded item by means of a coating dispersion which contains the active components as finely divided solids. This means that the hitherto conventional production of aluminum nitride during the forming process is not required. The coatings therefore achieve their final activity level, which is well above that of conventional coatings, very rapidly. In addition, these catalysts can be started up under high load and have a lower operating temperature.

Abstract: Reactor heads for the feed and withdrawal of a fuel gas/air mixture and of an educt gas mixture into the heating ducts and reaction ducts respectively of a monolithic countercurrent reactor. The reactor heads are provided with guide pipes, which feed the gas mixtures into the ducts assigned to them and withdraw them from these ducts.

Abstract: A catalyst for the synthesis of methyl mercaptan from hydrogen sulfide and methanol as well as a process for preparation of the catalyst. The catalyst is an active aluminum oxide onto which 5 to 25% by weight potassium tungstate is deposited as an activator. A two-stage impregnation with intermediate drying produces a catalyst which exhibits distinctly better selectivity for formation of methyl mercaptan than catalysts obtained by single-stage impregnation.

Abstract: A process for the direct preparation of alkali metal cyanide and alkaline earth metal cyanide granules from an HCN-containing gas and an aqueous solution or suspension of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide. The reaction is performed in a reactor for fluidized bed spray granulation, wherein a solution or suspension of the hydroxide is sprayed onto seed granules of the cyanide being prepared and at the same time a hydrogen cyanide-containing gas is supplied to the reactor and water is evaporated by means of a fluidizing gas. The preferred fluidizing gas is steam. The reaction gases from a BMA or Andrussow process may be quenched with water and the gas mixture used as fluidizing gas. By using a CO.sub.2 -free HCN-containing gas, alkali metal cyanide granules with advantageous properties, including a combined concentration of alkali metal carbonate and alkali metal formate of less then 0.4 wt. %, are obtainable.

Abstract: A process for preparing catalytically active coatings for the synthesis of hydrogen cyanide on moulded items substantially consisting of aluminum oxide. The catalytically active coating contain, as active components, at least one platinum group metal and a nitrate which are applied to the moulded item by means of a coating dispersion which contains the active components as finely divided solids. This means that the hitherto conventional production of aluminum nitride during the forming process is not required. The coatings therefore achieve their final activity level, which is well above that of conventional coatings, very rapidly. In addition, these catalysts can be started up under high load and have a lower operating temperature.

Abstract: A catalyst for the synthesis of methyl mercaptan from hydrogen sulfide and methanol, as well as a process for preparing the catalyst. The catalyst contains active aluminum oxide on which 15% to 40% by weight cesium tungstate is deposited as the activator. The activator, cesium tungstate, gives an unexpected increase in activity and selectivity as compared with potassium tungstate, which is used exclusively at the present state of the art.

Abstract: A process for the highly efficient production of hydrocyanic acid by reacting methane and ammonia to yield hydrocyanic acid in a reactor heated by the combustion of fuel gases and coated with a catalyst. The process is characterized in that the reactor consists of a monolithic arrangement of heating and reaction channels, wherein the fuel gas and a gas containing oxygen pass through the heating channels and the reactants pass through the reaction channels, the internal walls of which are coated with the catalyst. The fuel gas is burned in the heating channels. The monolithic structure of the reactor is such that the heating channels and reaction channels are in intimate contact. The cross-section of the channels and the wall thicknesses thereof may be reduced without any loss of mechanical stability. Wall thicknesses of 0.1 to 1 mm are completely adequate.