Abstract: This invention is a method for producing hydrocyanic acid by using an element which comprises a foraminous structure fabricated from a material consisting essentially of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, palladium and alloys of mixtures thereof characterized by (a) a novel configuration whereby the initial product of the formula: curve the flat ratio (C/F) multiplied by mesh size (N) and wire diameter (d.sub.w), for said element is greater than at least about 0.08 and (b) where, for a given methane and ammonia throughput, the conversion efficiency is a function of the curve to flat ratio (C/F), wire diameter (d.sub.w) and mesh size (N) combination and conversion efficiency is improved by increasing the mesh size (N) for a given wire diameter, increasing the wire diameter (d.sub.w) for a given mesh size, and increasing the curve to flat ratio (C/F) to a ratio of above 1.0. Preferably the initial product of the formula is greater than 0.

Abstract: This invention is a catalytic element for use in the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. The element comprises a foraminous structure fabricated from a material consisting essentially of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, palladium and alloys of mixtures thereof characterized by (a) a novel configuration whereby the initial product of the formula: curve to the flat ratio (C/F) multiplied by mesh count in inches (N) and wire diameter (d.sub.W), for said element is at least about 0.08 and (b) where, for a given hydrogen throughput, the conversion efficiency is a function of the curve to flat ratio (C/F), wire diameter (d.sub.W) and mesh count (N) combination and conversion efficiency is improved by increasing the mesh count (N) for a given wire diameter, increasing the wire diameter (d.sub.W) for a given mesh count, and increasing the curve to flat ratio (C/F) to a ratio of above 1.0. Preferably the initial product of the formula is greater than 0.2, more preferably 0.

Abstract: This invention is a catalytic element for use in the catalytic oxidation of ammonia. The element comprises a foraminous structure fabricated from a material consisting essentially of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, palladium and alloys of mixtures thereof characterized by (a) a novel configuration whereby the initial product of the formula: curve the flat ratio (C/F) multiplied by mesh count in inches (N) and wire diameter (d.sub.w), for said element is greater than at least about 0.08 and (b) where, for a given hydrogen throughput, the conversion efficiency is a function of the curve to flat ratio (C/F), wire diameter (d.sub.w) and mesh count (N) combination and conversion efficiency is improved by increasing the mesh count (N) for a given wire diameter, increasing the wire diameter (d.sub.w) for a given mesh count, and increasing the curve to flat ratio (C/F) to a ratio of above 1.0. Preferably the initial product of the formula is greater than 0.2, more preferably 0.

Abstract: This invention is a method for the recovery of precious metal selected from the group consisting of platinum and rhodium lost from a platinum-containing catalyst during ammonia oxidation processes at a temperature above 850.degree. C. which comprises bringing said lost precious metal into contact with a foraminate element fabricated from a material consisting essentially of palladium, by itself, or palladium and a minor amount of another metal selected from the group consisting of other platinum group metals, Ni, Au, Mn, Mg, Cr, C, B, Cu and alloys of mixtures thereof characterized by (a) a novel configuration whereby the initial product of the formula: curve to flat ratio (C/F) multiplied by mesh size (N) and wire diameter (d.sub.w), for the element is greater than at least about 0.9 and (b) where, for a given nitrogen throughput, the weight recovery efficiency is a function of the curve to flat ratio (C/F), wire diameter (d.sub.