Hydrogen Cyanide

Molecular Structure

Molecular Details

Molecular Formula	HCN
Molecular Weight	27.03 g/mol
State	Liquid/Gas at standard conditions

Olefinverbund Integration

Chemistry & Engineering

Reaction Equation	CH₄ + NH₃ + 1.5 O₂ → HCN + 3H₂O (Andrussow)
Thermodynamics	Exothermic (Andrussow) vs Endothermic (BMA)
Catalyst System	Pt-Rh gauze
Reactor Class	Combustion gauze reactor
Process Considerations	Extreme toxicity. On-site immediate consumption.

Extraterrestrial Production Pattern

1. Andrussow: CH₄ + NH₃ + O₂ → HCN + H₂O (Pt-Rh catalyst)
2. BMA process: CH₄ + NH₃ → HCN + H₂ (no oxygen)
3. Operating at 1000-1200°C
4. Rapid quenching to prevent decomposition

Applications

• Methyl methacrylate (acetone cyanohydrin route)
• Adiponitrile for nylon 6,6
• Sodium cyanide for gold extraction
• Chelating agents (EDTA)

Reaction Diagram

Overall Reaction: CH4 + NH3 -> HCN + 3H2 (Andrussow process)

Unit Operations

Process steps following chemical engineering unit operation principles:

Step	Operation	Description
1	Feed Mixing	Mix CH₄, NH₃, and air in proper ratios
2	Andrussow Reaction	Pt-Rh gauze at 1000-1200°C
3	Quenching	Rapid quench to prevent decomposition
4	Absorption	Absorb HCN in water or NaOH
5	Stripping	Strip HCN from absorbent
6	Stabilization	Add H₂SO₄ stabilizer for storage

S88 Batch Control Model

This module follows the ISA-88 (S88) batch control standard. Below is a simplified BatchML schema for educational purposes:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!-- ISA-88 Batch Control Model for Hydrogen Cyanide -->
<!-- Educational schema - simplified for demonstration -->
<BatchML xmlns="http://www.wbf.org/xml/B2MML-V0600">
  
  <ProcessCell ID="HCN_ANDRUSSOW_CELL">
    <Description>Process cell for Hydrogen Cyanide production</Description>
    
    <Unit ID="HCN_ANDRUSSOW">
      <Description>Main synthesis unit</Description>
      
      <!-- Equipment Modules -->
      <EquipmentModule ID="MIXER">
        <Description>Mixer</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="REACTOR">
        <Description>Reactor</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="QUENCHER">
        <Description>Quencher</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="ABSORBER">
        <Description>Absorber</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="STRIPPER">
        <Description>Stripper</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
      <EquipmentModule ID="STORAGE">
        <Description>Storage</Description>
      </EquipmentModule>
    </Unit>
  </ProcessCell>
  
  <MasterRecipe ID="HCN_ANDRUSSOW_RECIPE">
    <Description>Master recipe for Hydrogen Cyanide</Description>
    <ProductID>HYDROGEN_CYANIDE</ProductID>
    
    <UnitProcedure ID="HCN_ANDRUSSOW_UP">
      <Description>Unit procedure for synthesis</Description>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_01">
        <Description>Operation 1</Description>
        <Phase ID="MIX">
          <Description>Mix phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_02">
        <Description>Operation 2</Description>
        <Phase ID="REACT">
          <Description>React phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_03">
        <Description>Operation 3</Description>
        <Phase ID="QUENCH">
          <Description>Quench phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_04">
        <Description>Operation 4</Description>
        <Phase ID="ABSORB">
          <Description>Absorb phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_05">
        <Description>Operation 5</Description>
        <Phase ID="STRIP">
          <Description>Strip phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
      
      <Operation ID="OP_06">
        <Description>Operation 6</Description>
        <Phase ID="STABILIZE">
          <Description>Stabilize phase</Description>
          <PhaseLogic>
            <Step ID="STEP_1"><Action>Initialize</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_2"><Action>Execute</Action></Step>
            <Step ID="STEP_3"><Action>Complete</Action></Step>
          </PhaseLogic>
        </Phase>
      </Operation>
    </UnitProcedure>
  </MasterRecipe>
  
</BatchML>

**Key S88 Concepts:**
- **Process Cell**: The physical grouping containing all equipment for this process
- **Unit**: The major equipment that performs the synthesis
- **Equipment Modules**: Individual pieces of equipment (reactors, columns, etc.)
- **Unit Procedure**: The sequence of operations to produce the product
- **Phases**: The lowest level of procedural control (e.g., REACT, SEPARATE, PURIFY)

Key S88 Concepts:
• Process Cell: Physical grouping containing all equipment
• Unit: Major equipment performing synthesis
• Equipment Modules: Individual pieces (reactors, columns, etc.)
• Phases: Lowest level of procedural control (REACT, SEPARATE, etc.)

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This Synthesis Module is part of the 100chemicals Olefinverbund — an integrated chemical production network designed for extraterrestrial civilization on Moon and Mars.