Abstract: A flow straightener is disclosed for a hydrogen cyanide reaction process that maintains a substantially uniform velocity profile to provide a plug flow with reduced flow rotation within a mixing vessel. This results in improved performance and production of hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing hydrogen cyanide. More particularly, the present invention relates to a commercially advantageous process for producing hydrogen cyanide at enhanced levels of productivity and yield while using natural gas comprising at least one C2+ hydrocarbon, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. The natural gas is purified to be used as a source of methane-containing feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a process for producing hydrogen cyanide and more particularly, to a process for controlling operational stability of the system and process by blanketing the system with inert gas. More particularly, the present invention relates to the flushing of the system with an inert gas when a crude hydrogen cyanide product exceeds a threshold of oxygen, such as greater than 0.4 vol. % oxygen.

Abstract: Described is a method for the production and recovery of hydrogen cyanide, which includes removing ammonia from a crude hydrogen cyanide stream. The method integrates heat removed from a crude hydrogen cyanide stream into other areas of the hydrogen cyanide recovery process. The crude hydrogen cyanide stream may be passed through a first waste heat boiler and a second waste heat boiler prior to being fed to an ammonia absorber, which produces a hydrogen cyanide rich stream. Hydrogen cyanide is recovered from the hydrogen cyanide rich stream. Equipment fouling with HCN polymer is reduced.

Abstract: A hydrogen cyanide production process that recovers ammonia and hydrogen cyanide from a crude hydrogen cyanide product comprising from 25 to 50 vol. % water. When heat is recovered from the ammonia stripper, in the form of low pressure steam, and the steam can be integrated with the refining of hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing hydrogen cyanide involving a heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein each of the plurality of tubes comprises a ceramic ferrule extending through the entrance of the tube, each ferrule comprising an insulation layer surrounding at least a portion of the ferrule, and one or more washers, wherein at least one of the one or more washers surrounds the ferrule above the entrance of the tube, wherein the ceramic ferrule is spaced apart from the tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing hydrogen cyanide and more particularly, to a process for economically producing hydrogen cyanide. More particularly, the present invention relates to the controlled use of a ternary gas mixture including a methane-containing gas comprising less than 1 vol. % C2+ hydrocarbons, such as, for example, less than 5,000 mpm C2+ hydrocarbons, an ammonia-containing gas, and an oxygen-containing gas for production of hydrogen cyanide at enhanced levels of productivity and yield.

Abstract: Described is a process for the production and recovery of hydrogen cyanide, which includes recovering hydrogen from a crude hydrogen cyanide product. The process includes forming a crude hydrogen cyanide product and separating the crude hydrogen cyanide product to form an off-gas stream and a hydrogen cyanide product stream. The off-gas stream is further separated to recover hydrogen. The hydrogen cyanide product stream is further processed to recover hydrogen cyanide.

Abstract: A static mixer is disclosed for a hydrogen cyanide reaction process that thoroughly mixes the reactant gases to form a ternary gas mixture that has a coefficient of variation of less than 0.1 across the diameter of the catalyst bed. The static mixer comprises tabs that are inserted through non-continuous slots in the conduit and the tabs are secured to the external wall of the conduit.

Abstract: An improved process for the hydrocyanation of pentenenitrile which comprises adding solid catalyst degradation precipitate to the hydrocyanation reactor, and operating the reactor at a level of HCN concentration such that the product fluid leaving the reactor has an HCN concentration of less than about 2500 parts per million parts of fluid.