Industrial uses ,
Hydrogen cyanide .
Andrussow process
HCN
-Kirk-Othmer, “Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology” Volume 7, 4th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1995: pp754, Table1
-Korberstein, “Model Reactor Studies of the HCN synthesis from Methane and Ammonia”, Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Development, Vol 12, No 4, 1973

-Waletzko N, “Modelling Catalytic Gauze Reactors: HCN Synthesis”, AIChe Journal, July 1998, Vol 34, No 37

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The predominant increasing HCN market lies in the area of precious metal mining, especially gold mining. In Australia alone gold production is reaching levels not achieved since the beginning since the start of the century. Indeed this market is expected to double in size from 10 to 20 tonnes per year by the year 2000. Without the use of hydrogen cyanide this lucrative market could cease completely. HCN is so vital since it is one of very few chemicals that can dissolve the very few grains of gold from the rocks in which it is contained. The gold can then be recovered from the HCN. At present this market accounts for15% of total worldwide HCN production.

HCN has also been traditionally used in the manufacture of various other bulk chemicals. The textile industry uses the bulk of HCN produced, presently about three quarters of all HCN is used in the manufacture of adiponitrile, used in the production of nylon and acrylonitrile, used for other textile fibres and synthetic rubbers.

HCN is also used in smaller amounts as a feedstock in the manufacture of various other chemicals. These include:

 Methyl Methacrylate

 Cyanuric Chloride

 Chelating Agents

 Lactic acid

Small markets also exist in the manufacture of insecticides/rodenticides for fumigating enclosed spaces as well as in the pharmaceuticals and speciality chemicals markets.

The HCN market is expected to also increase due to plans by DuPont/BASF to build a large plant in Asia to manufacture hexamethylenediamine from HCN derived adiponitrile. At this time evidence of only one planned plant could be found to be built in Germany.

Fig. 1.0

Hydrogen cyanide is used the manufacture of many important chemicals. Hydrogen cyanide and its compounds are used for many chemical processes, including fumigation, the case hardening of iron and steel, electroplating, and the concentration of ores. It also is employed in the preparation of acrylonitrile, which is used in the production of acrylic fibres, synthetic rubber, and plastics.

4-hydrogen cyanide. (2014). In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/278704/hydrogen-cyanide
Location
The location of a chemical plant plays an important role in the