TWM498054U - System for decreasing humidity during an andrussow process - Google Patents

Abstract

The system and methods described herein solve problems of inaccurate flow control, loss of optimum reactant gas feed ratios, and the associated inefficiencies brought on by variable humidity in reactant feedstream gases during production of hydrogen cyanide by an Andrussow process.

Description

System for reducing the humidity during the ANDRUSSOW method

This creation is about the humidity control of the Andrussow method for the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from methane, ammonia and oxygen.

The Andrussow process typically converts ammonia and methane gas to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in the presence of oxygen and a platinum-containing catalyst. The reaction is as follows: 2NH ₃ + 2CH ₄ + 3O ₂ → 2HCN + 6H ₂ O

In addition to hydrogen cyanide, the reactor exhaust contains a variety of by-products and unreacted input gases.

Since water is produced during the reaction, and thus water is present in the reactor, it is expected that adding a small amount of water to the reactant will have a minor effect. However, during the Andrussow process, the optimum NH ₃ /O ₂ and CH ₄ /O ₂ ratios were maintained to ensure that the reaction proceeded efficiently. This effective reaction not only helps to avoid the production of large amounts of by-products, but also avoids imbalances in the gas mixture that can cause an explosion. This control is compromised when the water content of the input gas changes. Methane or unexpected changes in the water content of the sources of the oxygen flow rate may be changed unexpectedly these gases, resulting in a change of NH ₃ / O ₂ and CH ₄ / O ₂ ratio, and is accompanied by the associated inefficiencies and the potential The problematic gas ratio. This can result in reduced efficiency, reduced capacity, and/or reduced yield. For example, when the water content of the air fed to the Andrussow reactor changes, the volume of oxygen changes slightly, albeit by a small percentage. Some estimates indicate that a decrease in the humidity of the gas mixture or at least a consistent humidity value can increase the HCN output by up to 5%.

The various aspects of generating HCN are described in the following article: Eric.L.Crump, USEnvironmental Protection Agency, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, Economic Impact Analysis For the Proposed Cyanide Manufacturing NESHAP (May 2000), available at http ://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPDF.cgi? Dockey=P100AHG1.PDF is available online for the manufacture, end use and economic impact of HCN; NVTrusov, Effect of Sulfur Compounds and Higher Homologues of Methane on Hydrogen Cyanide Production by the Andrussow Method , Rus. J. of Applied Chemistry, 74th Vol. 10, pp. 1693-97 (2001), on the influence of the inevitable components of natural gas (such as higher homologues of sulfur and methane) on the production of HCN by the Andrussow process; Clean Development Mechanism ( CDM) Executive Board, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Clean Development Mechanism Project Design Document Form (CDM PDD) , 3rd edition, (July 28, 2006), available at http://cdm. Unfccc.int/Reference/PDDs_Forms/PDDs/PDD_form04_v03_2.pdf is available online for the production of HCN by the Andrussow method; and Gary R. Maxwell et al., Assuring process safety in the transfer of hydrogen cyanide manufacturing technology , J.of Hazardous Materials, Vol. 142, pp. 677-84 (2007), relates to the safety of HCN.

Problems associated with reactant gases having excess and/or variable water content during the Andrussow process can be addressed by adjusting the humidity of at least one reactant gaseous feed stream prior to entering the Andrussow reactor. At least some of these problems are related to unpredicted changes in the reactant gases as described above and changes in the energy required to heat the gas mixture to the reaction temperature. Even small changes in water content have surprisingly large effects. Water has a greater heat capacity than air, methane and ammonia. Therefore, the energy required to heat the water is greater than the energy required to heat an equal volume of air, methane or ammonia. When some of the input gases have high humidity, it takes more energy to heat the entire gas mixture to a temperature suitable for the Andrussow process. Although the energy demand can be adapted to the predicted changes in the humidity of the reactant gases, unpredicted changes can result in unpredicted changes in reactor temperature. Fluctuations in the temperature of the reactor reduce conversion efficiency, resulting in reduced HCN production and a tendency to form by-products. In addition, temperature fluctuations can be localized, resulting in hot spots and cold spots. When a hot spot occurs in the catalyst material, the catalyst can be weakened at this point and has reduced catalyst efficiency. Over time, these inconsistencies can shorten the life of the catalyst, resulting in more frequent shutdown of the reactor for cleaning and replacement of components. Thus, a small but unpredictable amount of water in the reactant gases can have a surprisingly large impact on the efficiency, product yield, and cost associated with the Andrussow process (eg, when the water content in the air changes) When the ratio of NH ₃ /O ₂ and CH ₄ /O ₂ is as small as 0.003 vol%, the yield of HCN can vary by 1-2%.

A method of producing hydrogen cyanide is described herein, comprising: a) adjusting the water content of at least one gaseous feedstock to produce one or more feed streams selected from the group consisting of: a uniform water content methane feed stream, consistent An ammonia feed stream having a water content and an oxygen-containing feed stream having a uniform water content; and b) reacting the methane feed stream, the ammonia feed stream, and the oxygen feed stream, thereby producing hydrogen cyanide, wherein the methane feed stream At least one of the ammonia feed stream or the oxygen feed stream is a feed stream of consistent water content.

Also described herein is a system comprising: a) a reactor configured to react methane, ammonia, and oxygen in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst; and b) at least one humidity regulator operatively coupled to the reaction And configured to adjust a water content of the at least one gaseous feedstock to produce one or more selected from the group consisting of Feed stream: a uniform water content methane feed stream, a consistent water content ammonia feed stream, and a consistent water content oxygenated feed stream; wherein the methane feed stream, the ammonia feed stream, or the oxygen feed stream At least one of the streams is a consistent water content feed stream.

10‧‧‧Andrussow reactor

20‧‧‧Humidity adjustment unit/humidity regulator

30‧‧‧Humidity adjustment unit/humidity regulator

40‧‧‧Humidity adjustment unit/humidity regulator

25‧‧‧ Humidity detector

35‧‧‧ Humidity detector

45‧‧‧Humidity detector

27‧‧‧ Humidity detector

37‧‧‧ Humidity detector

47‧‧‧ Humidity detector

A‧‧‧Reaction material gas/ammonia

B‧‧‧Reaction material gas/methane

C‧‧‧Reaction material gas/air

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a system for the Andrussow process that includes one or more humidity conditioning units operatively coupled to an Andrussow reactor. The humidity conditioning unit can adjust the water content of the reactant feedstock gas (A, B or C) prior to entering the Andrussow reactor.

2A-2D illustrate an example system for the Andrussow process that includes one or more humidity conditioning units operatively coupled to an Andrussow reactor. The humidity conditioning unit adjusts the moisture content of the reactant feedstock gases A, B or C. The reactant feed gas can pass through the detector before entering the humidity conditioning unit.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of a system for the Andrussow process that includes one or more humidity conditioning units operatively coupled to an Andrussow reactor. The humidity conditioning unit can adjust the moisture content of the reactant feedstock gas A (eg, oxygenated feedstock) or a combination of feedstock gases B and C (eg, a combination of ammonia and methane containing feedstock).

Figure 4 graphically illustrates the percent conversion of ammonia to HCN (NH ₃ conversion, lower line) and percent conversion of methane to HCN (CH ₄ yield, high line) with an oxygen-containing feed stream (eg Correlation of relative humidity of air).

The problem associated with the variable humidity (or water content) value of the reactant gas feedstock for Andrussow as described herein may be by incorporating one or more humidity conditioning units in the Andrussow process or manufacturing system. solve. The humidity conditioning unit adjusts the moisture content of the reactant feed gas to produce a gaseous reactant feed stream having a consistent water content acceptable for the Andrussow reactor.

Reactant gas feedstock and feed stream

As described above, the Andrussow reaction proceeds as follows: 2NH ₃ + 2CH ₄ + 3O ₂ → 2HCN + 6H ₂ O

Thus, the reactant gas feed stream is a gaseous ammonia feed stream, a gaseous methane feed stream, and a gaseous oxygen feed stream.

As used herein, a gaseous "feed stream" is a reactant gas having a consistent water content acceptable for feeding into an Andrussow reactor. The term "feedstock" is a gaseous source of gaseous feed streams that may contain impurities such as water. When the feedstock becomes a feed stream, no further purification or modulation of the water content is required. Although the purchased feedstock is sufficiently pure to become a feed stream, testing is required to determine the acceptability of the feedstock as a feed stream.

As used herein, a consistent water content methane feed stream refers to a methane feed stream having a substantially uniform water content.

As used herein, a consistent water content ammonia feed stream refers to an ammonia feed stream having a substantially uniform water content.

As used herein, a consistent water content oxygenated feed stream refers to an oxygenated feed stream having a substantially uniform water content.

The water content of the at least one feedstock is modulated by a humidity regulator as described herein. In some cases, the water content of at least two feedstocks is modulated by a humidity regulator. In other cases, the water content of all three materials is modulated by a humidity regulator. As described below, the feed streams can be combined, but the control of the feedstock composition can be facilitated if the feedstock is stored and/or processed separately.

One or more of the reactant gas feedstocks may be filtered to remove particulate matter prior to entering the humidity regulator or as a feed stream in the reactor. For example, one or more gaseous feedstocks can be filtered prior to adjusting the humidity value. The filter may have a diameter of at least about 0.1 microns, or a diameter of at least about 0.3 microns, or a diameter of at least about 0.5 microns. The meter, or particles having a diameter of at least about 1 micron, or a diameter of at least about 2 microns, or a diameter of at least about 5 microns, or a diameter of at least about 10 microns.

The feedstock filter can be made from a variety of materials. For example, the filter material can be woven, non-woven, granules, can have a variety of apertures, and the number of apertures per unit area or unit volume of filter material can vary, for example, with the volume of air that is intended to pass through the filter.

The reactant gas feed stream does not need to be 100% pure, as the Andrussow reaction can be carried out in the presence of some other gas.

For example, the oxygen feed stream can be air, oxygen enriched air, or a mixture of oxygen and a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen or argon. As used herein, the air Andrussow process uses air as the oxygen feedstock and the air (oxygen) feedstock has about 20.95 mol% oxygen.

The oxygen-rich Andrussow process uses from about 21 mol% oxygen to about 26 mol% oxygen, 27 mol% oxygen, 28 mol% oxygen, 29 mol% oxygen, or to about 30 mol% oxygen, such as about 22 mol% oxygen, 23 mol% oxygen, 24 mol%. Oxygen or an oxygen-containing feedstock of about 25 mol% oxygen. Air can form the remainder of the oxygen-rich material.

The oxygen Andrussow process differs from the air or oxygen-rich Andrussow process in that the oxygen Andrussow process uses about 26 mol% oxygen, 27 mol% oxygen, 28 mol% oxygen, 29 mol% oxygen, or about 30 mol%. Oxygen-containing material having oxygen to about 100 mol% oxygen. The oxygen Andrussow process can use about 35 mol% oxygen, 40 mol% oxygen, 45 mol% oxygen, 50 mol% oxygen, 55 mol% oxygen, 60 mol% oxygen, 65 mol% oxygen, 70 mol% oxygen, 75 mol% oxygen, 80 mol% oxygen, 85 mol Oxygen-containing material of % oxygen, 90 mol% oxygen, 95 mol% oxygen or about 100 mol% oxygen.

An oxygen-containing feedstock having less than 100 mol% oxygen can be prepared by mixing air with oxygen, by mixing oxygen with any suitable gas or gas combination, or by removing one or more gases from an oxygen-containing gas composition (eg, air). To produce.

The use of an oxygen-rich Andrussow process or an oxygen Andrussow process rather than an air Andrussow process has several advantages. Advantageously, compared to the air Andrussow method, by using oxygen enrichment The Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process produces a greater proportion of hydrogen in the effluent stream. Furthermore, in the oxygen-enriched Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process, there are less non-reactive materials or impurity materials present in the oxygen-containing feed stream, which reduces the heating of the desired reagent prior to addition to the reactor. Cost, thereby reducing energy waste. The oxygen-rich Andrussow method or the oxygen Andrussow method can be more compact (smaller) than the air Andrussow method for producing equivalent amounts of HCN.

However, the oxygen-rich Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process can have many problems not experienced in the air Andrussow process. In addition, as the oxygen concentration of the feed gas increases, the problem also increases. For example, reagents in the oxygen-enriched Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process are less diluted by other gases, such as inert gases. Therefore, the oxygen-rich Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process tends to proceed at a higher concentration than the air Andrussow process. Thus, the oxygen-rich Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process tends to produce higher concentrations of all products, including by-products. Therefore, the reactors and related equipment for the enriched oxygen-based Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process are more likely to accumulate impurities in the system, which impurities can be more easily washed away from the equipment used in the air Andrussow process. Larger byproduct aggregation rates can result in increased corrosion rates and more frequent shutdowns and maintenance of various parts of the process. Equipment that can be significantly affected by by-product agglomeration, corrosion, and related problems include, for example, reactors, ammonia recovery systems, and HCN recovery systems. Due to the higher concentration of reagents in the oxygen-enriched Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process, the sensitivity of the reaction to changes in reagent concentration can be higher than the air Andrussow process. Compared to the air Andrussow method, local changes in the concentration of the reagent as it passes through the catalyst can cause temperature changes in the catalyst bed, such as hot spots, which can shorten the life of the catalyst and can also require additional safety controls to avoid ignition or The problem of the explosion. In addition, the heat transfer from the enrichment of the oxygen-rich Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process can be more difficult than in the air Andrussow process, in part due to the higher concentration of effluent than for air Andrussow The method is observed, and cooling the concentrated effluent to the condensing point increases the likelihood of by-product formation, which may not be observed if the effluent is lean. In addition, with air Ander Changes in the concentration or flow rate of reagents in the oxygen-enriched Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process can result in greater differences in the overall efficiency of the process compared to the Rousseau process. In the oxygen-rich Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process, additional safety control features that may not be required in the air Andrussow process are often used to avoid combustion or explosion of the gas mixture. The oxygen-rich Andrussow process or the oxygen Andrussow process is more sensitive to changes in the calorific value (eg, BTU) of the feed gas; therefore, small changes in the composition of the feed stream can cause temperature fluctuations in the reactor. Greater than observed for similar feed stream compositions in the air Andrussow process. This creation provides a solution to these problems.

The oxygen feedstock can have some organic materials, but only a small amount. For example, the oxygen feedstock can have less than 1.0% organic material, or less than 0.5% organic material, or less than 0.3% organic material, or less than 0.1% organic material. The organic material may include carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, an alkane having 1 to 4 carbons, and the like.

The methane feed stream can include some impurities, such as a low percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, alkanes having from 1 to 4 carbons, and combinations thereof. However, the use of a methane feed stream having a higher percentage of impurities can result in the accumulation of carbon containing platinum catalyst. Even a low percentage of higher hydrocarbons (eg, where the methane feed stream has less than about 96% methane and up to about 4% higher hydrocarbons) can also result in some carbon accumulation, which reduces HCN yield and, if sustained, causes The actual physical disintegration of the catalyst structure. Although microcarbon agglomeration occurs in the case of a pure methane feed stream, the agglomeration is relatively slow, yield and conversion are only moderately reduced, and the catalyst can last for several months.

For example, the methane feed stream should contain no more than about 2% vol/vol of alkane (other than methane), and/or no more than about 2% vol/vol of carbon dioxide, and/or no more than 2% vol/vol of sulfurization. Hydrogen, and/or no more than about 3% vol/vol of nitrogen and/or no more than about 3% vol/vol of water. For example, the methane feed stream should contain no more than about 2 wt%, or no more than about 1 wt%, or no more than about 0.1 wt% ethane, or propane, or an olefin analog thereof, or mixtures thereof. Impurities can be removed from the methane feedstock by available procedures.

Substantially pure methane is generally obtained, in which case it is not necessary to adjust the humidity of the methane feedstock as it is already a feed stream suitable for the reaction during the Andrussow process. The substantially pure methane can be, for example, a mixture of methane comprising at least about 95% methane purity, or at least about 99% methane purity, or at least about 99.9% methane purity. A purified methane feed stream having less than 100 ppm impurities or even less than 10 ppm impurities may be desirable.

It can happen that a substantially pure supply of methane is not available or that the cost of methane is sufficiently expensive to make the use of impure methane feedstock attractive. For example, methane can be supplied from natural gas, biomethane (from anaerobic fermentation), synthetic methane or others that can contain C ₂ , C ₃ and higher hydrocarbons (eg, ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, cyclopropane, Methane source of butane, butene, isobutane, etc.). In such cases, the methane feedstock can be subjected to a purification step and/or a humidity adjustment. For example, impurities such as higher hydrocarbons can be removed by using a low temperature process, a reduction process to convert carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide to methane, a desulfurization process to remove sulfur contaminants, and combinations thereof. Some of these methods are typically employed after removing at least some of the water content, such as a low temperature process. Alternatively, a method of removing impurities (eg, cryogenic purification) can result in a methane feed stream having a significantly reduced water content. Thus, pre-purifying the methane feed to remove contaminants can involve reducing the water content to a consistent humidity value that can be as low as about 100 ppm or between about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm. In such cases, the methane feedstock does not need to undergo additional adjustments to its water content.

The ammonia feedstock need not be 100% pure ammonia. Conversely, the ammonia feedstock may contain some moisture and/or traces of air or oxygen. The traces include up to but not more than about 5% by volume, or no more than about 3% by volume, or no more than about 2% by volume, or no more than about 1% by volume of the total gas composition. However, a higher percentage of oxygen and/or water can cause problems such as the formation of ammonia hydroxide, which can be corrosive to components of the reactor or pretreatment equipment. Thus, if a high level of oxygen is present, the ammonia feedstock can be treated to reduce the total oxygen content to less than about 2% by volume, or less than about 1% by volume, or less than about 0.5 volume. %, or less than about 0.1% by volume. In the case of water, the ammonia feed stream may contain up to about 5% by volume of steam mixed with ammonia, or up to about 2% by volume of steam, or up to about 1% by volume of steam, or up to about 0.5% by volume of steam. . The ammonia feed stream can also be 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 100% ammonia.

Some of the feedstock or feed stream can be combined prior to entering the reactor. For example, ammonia and methane feedstock or feed streams can be combined. However, it may be simpler to treat the feedstock separately, as the type and amount of undesirable impurities (including water) of the batch of feedstock and the next batch of feedstock may vary. Thus, although the methane and ammonia feed streams can be combined after determining that the feed streams have acceptable purity and consistent water content, the feedstocks (before purification and/or conditioning of the water content) can be stored and disposed separately. Providing a separate feed stream to the reactor via a separate inlet allows for rapid changes in the gas mixture within the reactor.

Synthesis of hydrogen cyanide by the Andrussow process (see, for example, Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Vol. 8, VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, 1987, pp. 161-162) may be via the inclusion of platinum or platinum alloys or other gases in the gas phase. Metal catalyst implementation. The catalysts found to be suitable for the implementation of the Andrussow process are described and described in the original Andrussow patent as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 1,934,838. In the original work of Andrussow, it is disclosed that the catalyst can be selected from an oxidizing catalyst that does not melt (solid) at an operating temperature of about 1000 °C. For example, Andrussow describes a catalyst that can include platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, iridium, gold or silver as a catalytically active metal in pure form or as an alloy. It is also noted that certain barium metals, such as rare earth metals, cerium, uranium and others, may also be used, for example, in the form of infusible oxides or phosphates, and it is noted that the catalyst may be formed into a mesh (mesh) or deposited on Heat resistant solid support (such as vermiculite or alumina).

In subsequent research and development work, platinum-containing catalysts have been selected for their effectiveness and even the heat resistance of metals in the form of mesh or mesh. For example, a platinum-rhodium alloy can be used as the catalyst, which can be in the form of a wire mesh or mesh, such as a woven or knitted mesh sheet, or it can be placed on a carrier structure. In an example, the woven or knitted mesh sheet can be formed to have a mesh size of 20-80 The mesh structure, for example, has an opening of about 0.18 mm to about 0.85 mm in size. The catalyst may comprise from about 85 wt% to about 95 wt% Pt and from about 5 wt% to about 15 wt% Rh, such as 85/15 Pt/Rh, 90/10 Pt/Rh or 95/5 Pt/Rh. The platinum-ruthenium catalyst may also contain small amounts of metallic impurities such as iron (Fe), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir), ruthenium (Ru), and other metals. The impurity metal may be present in trace amounts (e.g., about 10 ppm or less).

Further information on the Andrussow process is described in German Patent 549,055. In one example, a catalyst comprising a plurality of fine-grained screens of 10% bismuth Pt arranged in series is used at a temperature of from about 800 °C to 2,500 °C, from 1,000 °C to 1,500 °C, or from about 980 °C to 1050 °C. For example, the catalyst may be a commercially available catalyst such as Pt-Rh catalyst mesh available from Johnson Matthey Plc, London, UK or Pt-Rh catalyst filament available from Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co., Hanau, Germany. network.

humidity

There are three main types of humidity measurements: absolute, relative, and specific. Absolute humidity is the water content of air, usually expressed as a percentage. Relative humidity (also expressed as a percentage) measures the current absolute humidity relative to the maximum. The term commonly used in everyday life is relative humidity. The ratio of the water vapor content to the total air content of the mixture of specific humidity (by mass).

Absolute humidity is the amount of water vapor, usually discussed in terms of unit volume. The mass ( m _w ) of water vapor per unit volume of total air and water vapor mixture ( Vnet ) can be expressed as follows:

When the air is saturated at 30 ° C, the absolute humidity in the air is in the range of 0 to about 30 g/m 3 .

Relative humidity is the amount of water vapor in a mixture of atmosphere and water vapor. It is defined as the ratio of the partial pressure of water vapor in an air-water mixture to the saturated vapor pressure of water at a given temperature. The relative humidity of the air depends not only on the temperature but also on the pressure of the target system. The relative humidity in the atmosphere can vary from 50% to more than 90%, but the absolute water content depends on the temperature. degree. For example, air having 100% relative humidity at atmospheric pressure contains about 8% water (wt/wt) at 50 ° C, about 2.66% water (wt/wt) at 30 ° C, and about 1.97 at 25 ° C. % water (wt/wt). As described herein, a detector can be used to monitor the humidity or water vapor content of the gaseous feedstock and initiate humidity conditioning as needed.

Humidity will change throughout the day. For example, during the summer in Houston, Texas, the average daily high temperature peaked at 94°F (34°C) at the end of July, and an average of 99 days per year has a temperature above 90°F (32°C). . In Houston, Texas, the average relative humidity during the summer is in the range of more than 90% in the morning to about 60% in the afternoon. In Reno, Nevada, the average temperature in July was about 71.6 °F (22 °C), and the relative humidity varied from about 60% in the morning to about 18% in the afternoon. Therefore, the relative humidity can vary throughout the day, regardless of whether the Andrussow process is carried out in a relatively humid climate or in a relatively dry climate.

Specific humidity is the mass of water per unit mass of moist air (or equivalently, in the same volume). The ratio of specific humidity is expressed as the ratio of the mass of water vapor ( m _v ) to the mass of air ( m _a ). This ratio is defined as:

As used herein, the humidity value is expressed as the water weight percentage of the gaseous feed stream or the specific moisture value of the water volume percentage.

As noted above, the water content of the gaseous feed to the atmosphere is a function of the temperature and pressure of the feed stream. Air is usually the only raw material that can be used in the atmosphere. The use of the specific humidity value provides an accurate measure of the water content in the feed stream, and if the relative humidity is measured, the value obtained can be converted to a specific humidity value.

The heat capacity of the air (specific heat) varies with its water content. For example, the heat capacity of humid air is greater than the heat capacity of dry air. Therefore, humid air can absorb more heat than dry air. Therefore, heating humid air to a temperature available for the Andrussow process requires more energy than dry air.

To illustrate, the common properties of air at atmospheric pressure are shown in Table 1 below.

The water content of the one or more reactant gas feed streams is adjusted as described herein to maintain the consistency of weight or volume percent of water over time. This consistency allows more precise control of, for example, the reactant gas mixture and reactor temperature over time, Thus, problems such as uneven flow of the feed stream, formation of by-products, insufficient mixing, hot spots and cold spots in the reactor (for example, in a catalyst bed), and the like are avoided.

Humidity regulator

The humidity regulator increases or decreases the water content of the reactant feed gas to maintain a consistent water content in the feed gas over time. The decision to increase or decrease the water content of the reactant feedstock gas can be made by considering the composition of the feedstock, the cost of adjusting the water content of the feedstock, the cost associated with the use of one or more feedstocks having inconsistent water content, and the like. For example, costs associated with the use of one or more materials having inconsistent water content may include costs associated with lower HCN production, costs associated with more frequent catalyst replacement, costs associated with equipment cleaning, and low HCN Increased raw material costs due to efficiency conversions, costs associated with enhanced safety precautions, costs associated with increased energy use, and the like.

The consistency of the water content can be maintained until the economics of the manufacturing process, Andrussow equipment and/or raw material purity are necessary to change. For example, the consistency of the water content of the one or more materials can be maintained for about 12 hours, about 1 day, about 2 days, about 3 days, about 4 days, about 1 week, about 2 weeks, about 1 month, about 2 Month, 1 season (eg, spring, summer, fall, or winter), about 1 year, about 3 years, and any other selected time period.

Any convenient humidity regulator can be employed as long as the humidity regulator can be configured to supply an output gaseous feed stream having a consistent water content over time.

For example, a consistent water content can be achieved in a gaseous feed stream simply by bubbling the feedstock through substantially pure water. The process can saturate the resulting feed stream with water and will have a substantially uniform water content as long as the feed stream is maintained at a constant temperature (at least prior to loading into the Andrussow system). The water content of the feedstock can also be increased by the addition of a controlled amount of steam or by various methods (e.g., by spraying, spraying, atomizing, ultrasonic vibration, and combinations thereof).

Water for humidification can be filtered to remove particles and/or purified to remove contamination Things. Methods for purifying the humidifying water may include distillation, deionization, carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation, electrodialysis, and combinations thereof.

However, since the heat capacity of the water is greater than either reactant gas, it may be desirable to reduce the water content of the reactant feed stream containing large amounts of water, which has the benefit of reducing the energy cost for heating the feed streams. Thus, the manufacturer may choose to avoid the water-saturated feed stream and may not choose a method that involves water to saturate the feedstock.

The consistent water content of the feed stream does not need to be 100% consistent. For example, the water content of the feed stream can vary slightly from a set value, such as a change of about 1% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.9%, or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7% (wt/wt), or Less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2%, less than about 0.1% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.09%, or Less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.06%, or less than about 0.05% from a set point change. Generally, in the Andrussow reaction and HCN production, the change is smaller, the conditions are better and predictable.

The Andrussow reactor and process can operate more efficiently when a reduced amount of water is present in the reactant gases. For example, when the humidity regulator can obtain a reactant gas feed stream containing the following amounts of water, the Andrussow process will operate more efficiently: less than about 1% by volume water (or less than about 0.6% by weight water), or less than About 0.9% by volume water (or less than about 0.54% by weight water), or less than about 0.85% by volume water (or less than about 0.51% by weight water), or less than about 0.75% by volume water (or less than about 0.45% by weight water), or Less than about 0.6% by volume water (or less than about 0.36% by weight water), or less than about 0.5% by volume water (or less than about 0.3% by weight water), or less than about 0.4% by volume water (or less than about 0.24% by weight water), Or less than about 0.3% by volume water (or less than about 0.18% by weight water), or less than about 0.2% by volume water (or less than about 0.12% by weight water), or less than about 0.1% by volume water (or less than about 0.06% by weight water) .

For example, when the atmosphere is used as the oxygen-containing feed stream, the air feed stream can have less than about 0.85 volume percent water, which is equal to the saturation of water in the air at 5 °C. However, when air or oxygen-enriched air is used as the oxygen source, it is advantageous to use the following amount of water. Stream: less than about 0.75 vol% water (or less than about 0.45 wt% water), or less than about 0.6 vol% water (or less than about 0.36 wt% water), or less than about 0.5 vol% water (or less than about 0.3 wt%) Water), or less than about 0.4% by volume water (or less than about 0.24% by weight water), or less than about 0.3% by volume water (or less than about 0.18% by weight water), or less than about 0.2% by volume water (or less than about 0.12 weight) % water), or less than about 0.1% by volume water (or less than about 0.06% by weight water).

The humidity regulator can include multiple components including a chamber, a pump, a detector, a condenser, a refrigeration system, a heating system, an adsorbent, an absorbent, a purge system, a feedback controller, and the like. The choice of components for use in the humidity regulator can vary depending on factors such as the volume of the feedstock gas to be adjusted, the expected water composition and type of feedstock, the allowable water content change, and the like.

A condenser equipped to condense and cool the feed gas can typically handle large volumes of feedstock gas and can be an attractive component of a humidity regulator. Adsorbent materials may also be employed in conjunction with or without the condenser unit.

The condenser exposes the moist gaseous material to one or more cold dehumidification surfaces. The surface of the condenser can be cooled by a freezing unit. The moisture condenses out of the gaseous feed to one or more surfaces and can be discharged from the surface into, for example, a container. The gaseous feedstock can be cooled under increased pressure or cooled only at atmospheric pressure. For example, the gaseous feed stream can be subjected to pressure changes to promote moisture removal. Alternatively, the condenser can increase the pressure within the cooling chamber containing the gaseous feed stream, the moisture can be removed, and the pressure of the gaseous feed stream can be adjusted to feed the feed stream to the Andrussow reactor at a suitable rate.

The condensing surface of the condenser member can be cooled in a variety of ways. The liquid cooled condenser can remove excess moisture from the feed gas by circulating the cooling liquid through a spiral system, piping system, or other closed system that provides an external surface for water condensation. Alternatively, a cooling gas (eg, a chilled gas) can be circulated through a spiral tube system, piping system, or other closed system that provides an external surface for water condensation. Thus, the humidity regulator can include a freeze dryer that cools the compressed gas below ambient temperature, thereby compressing the moisture in the gas Condensed on the frozen surface. The freeze dryer has the advantage of being able to continuously remove moisture from the gas. However, freeze dryers can use a large amount of energy, and processing gases to achieve low humidity values can be difficult or expensive.

A moisture absorbing adsorbent material or a material for molecular sieves may be employed in the humidity regulator. The absorbent material can be in dry form or in liquid form. For example, some dehumidifiers have a dry absorbent such as vermiculite, lithium chloride, H ₂ SO ₄ or CaO, and liquid absorbing devices may use substances such as lithium chloride solution to remove moisture from the air. Industrial dehumidifiers may include solid desiccant rotors, for example, ceramic runners or discs covered with a desiccant such as vermiculite and chemicals such as lithium chloride, sulfuric acid (H ₂ SO ₄ ) or calcium oxide (CaO). . The desiccant rotor is rotatable through the dehumidification chamber where the feed stream gas is exposed to the desiccant. The desiccant rotor can be rotated through the chamber and exited therefrom to a regeneration environment where the adsorbed moisture is removed.

"Molecular sieves" are materials that contain accurate and consistent pores and that adsorb gas and liquid components. Molecular sieves differ from conventional filters in that molecular sieves operate at the molecular level. Molecular sieves can be tolerated so small that molecules that pass through the pores are adsorbed, while larger molecules cannot. For example, water molecules are small enough to pass, while larger molecules cannot. In view of this, molecular sieves can be used as a desiccant. Some molecular sieves can absorb up to 22% of their own weight of water. Molecular sieves usually consist of aluminum silicate minerals, clay, porous glass, microporous carbon, zeolites, activated carbon or synthetic compounds having open structures through which small molecules such as nitrogen, methane and water can diffuse. For example, a molecular sieve that can be used to remove water from a gaseous feedstock can be made from a basic aluminum silicate containing cerium oxide and aluminum oxide.

One type of molecular sieve 4A molecular sieve that can be used to absorb water vapor has a pore size of 4 angstroms. Any molecule greater than 4 angstroms will usually not be adsorbed. Adsorption by 4A molecular sieves is generally preferred and more common than some other types of molecular sieves or adsorbents, since 4A molecular sieves use less energy and have no significant detrimental effect on gaseous feedstocks. 4A molecular sieves are available from a variety of suppliers, such as Delta Adsorbents (see, for example, on the website of deltaadsorbents.com) or Texas Technologies (see, for example, The website of texastechnologies.com).

Methods for regenerating absorbent materials, desiccants, and molecular sieves include the use of pressure changes, heat, and purge with a carrier gas. The adsorbed water condensate can be removed from the desiccant using an electric heater or a gas flame heater. Other removal methods include steam and positive temperature coefficient heaters, as well as self-regulating devices. For example, the molecular sieve can be regenerated using, for example, a temperature of from about 400 °F to 600 °F; typically, the regeneration temperature should not exceed 1000 °F.

For example, the humidity regulator can include a desiccant dryer having a desiccant container to contain a moisture absorbent such as silicone, calcium oxide or sulfuric acid. The gaseous feedstock can be pumped through the vessel to expose the gas to a moisture absorbent having an affinity for water. The moisture in the feedstock can be adsorbed into the moisture absorbent, whereby the gaseous feed stream remaining in the vessel contains less moisture. A series of desiccant containers can be employed whereby when the moisture absorbent in one container becomes saturated or ineffective, it can be regenerated or replaced, while the other container continues to remove moisture from the gaseous material.

In another example, a humidity regulator including an automatic pressure sensitive regenerative dryer can be employed. The regenerative dryer can include two or more cylindrical columns containing molecular sieve material. The columns can be circulated so that when one or more of the columns are drying the gaseous feed, the accumulated moisture of the other columns is purged. The towers can be vented to the atmosphere via a solenoid valve activated by a timing motor.

In another example, the humidity regulator can include a membrane cartridge having a plurality of membranes through which moisture can escape and escape into the atmosphere or collection system, but the desired gas component does not. Membranes for such filter cartridges are commercially available and may take the form of hollow fibers whereby the desired gas component can pass through the interior of the fibers while the moisture removed from the feed gas is collected from outside the fibers.

The humidity regulator can include a combination of structural features such as a cryogen, a condensing surface, a heater, a desiccant, a membrane, a membrane cartridge, a molecular sieve, and the like. For example, the humidity regulator can pressurize the gaseous feed stream and subsequently dehumidify using a desiccant, a condensing surface, a membrane, a molecular sieve, or a combination thereof. The humidity regulator can, for example, heat or cool the gaseous feedstock and subsequently The water content of the feedstock is reduced with a desiccant, a condensing surface, a membrane, a molecular sieve, or a combination thereof.

Gaseous feedstocks can undergo humidity adjustments greater than one cycle. For example, the gaseous feed stream can undergo a water content removal of one, two, three, four or more cycles until the gaseous feed stream has a desired low moisture content (eg, less than about 1 volume percent water or less) About 0.6% by weight of water).

The humidity regulator can be configured to adjust the humidity or water content of a type of gaseous feedstock. For example, the humidity regulator can be configured to regulate the water content of the air or oxygen enriched air. The humidity regulator can also be configured to adjust the humidity of a combination of different gaseous materials (eg, ammonia and methane feedstock). A range of humidity regulators can be used for different materials. A range of humidity regulators can also be used for one type of gaseous feedstock, for example, feedstocks that typically have a relatively large water content.

Humidity detector

The humidity of the gaseous feedstock or feed stream can be detected by any convenient means, for example, by using a detector capable of accurately detecting the water vapor content of the gaseous feedstock or feed stream. The detector can be used to modulate the activity of a humidity regulator operatively coupled thereto. Thus, the detector can, for example, activate the humidity regulator, increase the activity of the humidity regulator, stop the humidity regulator, reduce the activity of the humidity regulator, or otherwise adapt the function of the humidity regulator to provide for the Andrussow method. A gaseous feed stream having a consistent moisture content.

A variety of humidity detectors are available and available. For example, the humidity detector can detect humidity values using capacitance, coulomb, electricity, resistance, electrolysis, gravimetric analysis, or piezoelectric methods.

An electric hygrometer typically measures, for example, the resistance, capacitance, or impedance of a film of moisture absorbing material that is exposed to a gaseous feed stream. Some available electrolytic or piezoelectric hygrometers use infrared spectroscopy or mass spectrometry, which can be combined with vapor pressure measurement. While many commercially available electrical hygrometers provide relative humidity, such hygrometers can be adapted to provide a specific humidity of the gaseous feed stream.

Gravimetric methods are generally recognized as one of the most accurate moisture measurement techniques. here In the method, a known amount of gas is passed over the moisture absorbing chemical (e.g., phosphorus pentoxide) and the increase in weight is determined.

The humidity detector provides an output signal that identifies the humidity value (eg, absolute humidity). The humidity detector can have an absolute humidity setting that compares the detected absolute humidity with it. When the detected absolute humidity deviates from the absolute humidity setting, the humidity detector can signal the humidity regulator to initiate the adjustment. For example, when the detected absolute humidity is less than the absolute humidity set point, the humidity detector can signal the humidity regulator to terminate the removal of water and signal the humidification unit to supplement the water content of the feedstock. However, when the detected absolute humidity is greater than the absolute humidity setting, the humidity detector can signal the humidity regulator to increase water removal.

The absolute humidity signal and absolute humidity settings can be converted from the relative humidity settings stored in the humidity detector. The conversion of the relative humidity value to the absolute humidity value can be detected by other variables (eg, temperature and/or pressure) and by the use of mathematical formulas.

An adjustment signal can be generated by the detector to initiate power supply to one or more humidity regulator units. An adjustment signal can also be generated by the detector to increase or decrease the speed or capacity of one or more humidity regulators. The absolute humidity of the material is thereby adjusted to vary only slightly upwards or downwards from the absolute humidity setting. The measured absolute humidity and set value are compared, and a humidity control signal is generated based on the difference therebetween.

In addition to monitoring the humidity of the gaseous feed stream, the humidity detector can include a thermometer, thermostat, or similar temperature sensing element. A thermometer or temperature sensing element can be used to detect the temperature of the gaseous feed stream that can undergo humidity conditioning. If it is desired to change the temperature of the gaseous feed stream, a thermostat element can be used to initiate heating or cooling.

The temperature can also be measured and compared to the range of setpoints or setpoints. When the measured temperature of the gaseous feed stream is outside the range of the set value, a temperature control signal can be generated based on the difference therebetween to initiate heating or cooling of the gaseous feed or feed stream. Using the thus obtained humidity control signal and temperature control signal independently of each other above a selected value or range and Temperature and absolute humidity are controlled in the lower range.

An example of the Andrussow system

Figures 1-3 provide an illustration of an exemplary system for implementing the Andrussow process.

1 and 2 are schematic diagrams illustrating an Andrussow system of the type comprising an Andrussow reactor 10 in which reactant gases (eg, ammonia, methane, and oxygen) are converted to hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst and water. The system may also include one or more humidity conditioning units, such as 20 , 30, and 40 , for adjusting the water content of the feed gases, such as ammonia (A), methane (B), and air (C), respectively. The variables i, j, and k are integers identifying the number of humidity regulators 20 , 30, and 40 , respectively, where i, j, and k are each independently an integer from 0 to 12. The i-number of humidity regulators 20 can operate in parallel, in series, or in a combination thereof. Likewise, the j number of humidity regulators 30 can also be operated in parallel, in series, or in a combination thereof. Additionally, the k-number of humidity regulators 40 can also operate in parallel, in series, or in a combination thereof. This parallel operation allows one or more dehumidifiers to perform dehumidification while regenerating other dehumidifiers. The operation of a series of dehumidifiers allows for further processing of a further humidity regulator in the series that is partially processed and may not yet have an acceptable (consistent) water content.

The choice of the value of each of i, j and k is related to the composition of the reactant gases, such as ammonia (A), methane (B) and air (C), respectively. For example, when pure ammonia is used as the feedstock, i can be zero and the A feedstock is an ammonia feed stream having an acceptable water content. However, i can also range from about 1 to about 6 or from about 1 to 3, even with ammonia feedstocks having unacceptable or inconsistent water content. Thus, the Andrussow system can be easily configured to utilize ammonia feedstock with impurities, which can include water. Also, for example, when pure methane (for example, B) is employed, j may be zero. However, j may also range from about 1 to about 6 or from about 1 to 3, even with methane having an unacceptable or inconsistent water content. The Andrussow system can be easily configured to use a methane feedstock having an unacceptably high or low water content. In addition, k may be 0 when pure oxygen (for example, C) is used. However, k may also be in the range of from about 1 to about 6 or from about 1 to 3, even when air may be present which has an unacceptable or inconsistent water content or enriched oxygen. because Thus, the Andrussow system can be configured to employ air or oxygenated feedstock that can have impurities, which can include water.

In Figures 2A-2D, the Andrussow system may further include one or more humidity detectors 25 , 27 , 35 , 37 , 45 , and 47 that may be operatively coupled to one or more humidity regulators 20 , 30 and 40 and/or operatively coupled to reactor 10 . In FIGS. 2A, 2C and 2D, the humidity detectors 25 , 35 and 45 respectively detect the humidity of the material gases to be fed to the one or more humidity regulators 20 , 30 and 40 . In Figures 2B, 2C and 2D, the humidity detectors 27 , 37 and 47 respectively detect the humidity of the feed stream gas discharged from the one or more humidity regulators 20 , 30 and 40 , the detection being in the The stream gas is fed to the reactor 10 before. The variables x ₁ , x ₂ , y ₁ , y ₂ , z ₁ and z ₂ are integers identifying the number of humidity detectors 25 , 27 , 35 , 37 , 45 and 47 , respectively . Each of the variables x ₁ , x ₂ , y ₁ , y ₂ , z ₁ and z ₂ may individually be an integer from 0 to 12. For example, if there are i humidity regulators 20 , the values of x ₁ and x ₂ may be the same or less than i; if there are j humidity regulators 30 , the values of y ₁ and y ₂ may be the same value less than j. And if there are k humidity regulators 40 , the values of z ₁ and z ₂ may be the same value less than k.

Each of the humidity detectors 25 , 27 , 35 , 37 , 45, and 47 can provide an output signal that identifies the humidity value, such as an absolute humidity output signal. Each of the humidity detectors 25 , 27 , 35 , 37 , 45, and 47 can have a separate absolute humidity setting value to which the detected absolute humidity is compared. For example, one or more of the humidity detectors 25 , 35, and/or 45 may be directed to the humidity regulators 20 , 30, and 40 when the absolute humidity of one of the detected materials A, B, or C is greater than the absolute humidity setting. Either one of them signals to adjust (modulate) the water content of the feed stream, for example, by initiating or increasing dehumidification. Similarly, when it is detected that the absolute humidity of the raw material stream discharged from any of the humidity regulators 20 , 30, and 40 is less than the absolute humidity set value, one or more of the humidity detectors 27 , 37, and/or 47 may Humidity regulators 20 , 30, and 40 signal to further modulate the water content of the feedstock, for example, by initiating or increasing humidification of the feedstock.

3 illustrates another Andrussow system in which two feedstocks (eg, ammonia-containing feedstock and methane-containing feedstock) are combined and passed through one or more humidity regulators 20 prior to being discharged into reactor 10 . Typically, oxygen (e.g., air or a gas containing O ₂₎ separate feed lines can be the raw material of the process in a humidity regulator 40. The system shown in Figure 3 can have any of the features shown in Figures 2A-2D, including a humidity detector, and a number of humidity regulators 20 or 40 , respectively, i or k.

The following non-limiting examples illustrate some aspects of the Andrussow process.

Example 1

This example illustrates that the conversion of ammonia to HCN can be viewed as the degree of humidity change of the air used as the oxygen-containing feed stream during the air Andrussow process.

The Andrussow process is carried out using a feed stream of methane, ammonia and air fed to the reactor at a set feed rate. The reaction is carried out in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst. A pilot scale test was conducted using a 4 inch inner diameter stainless steel reactor with a ceramic thermal insulation lining. A 40 wt% Pt/10 wt% Rh 40 mesh screen from Johnson Matthey (USA) was loaded as a catalyst bed. The catalyst sheets were supported using perforated alumina tiles. Set the total flow rate to 2532 SCFH (standard cubic per hour). In a simulated manufacturing sequence, three reactors were used in the Andrussow reaction facility to form hydrogen cyanide from a reaction mixture of about 17 vol% methane, about 19 vol% ammonia, and about 64 vol% air in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The gaseous product stream from the reactor contains about 76mol% N _2, 4mol% hydrogen cyanide, unreacted ammonia of about 1.5mol%, from about 8mol% hydrogen, about 1.5mol% CO and about 8mol% H ₂ O, wherein cyanide the overall yield of hydrogen based on the reaction of NH ₃ was about 40% (by mole basis).

Ammonia conversion to the product of (Cn) measured as a percentage relative to the number of moles of HCN fed to the reactor of the number of moles of NH ₃ generated.

Cn = 100 * (HCN generated / NH ₃ fed)

Likewise, the conversion of methane to yield measurement of CH ₄ mole percentage of HCN.

Cc=100 *(HCN generated / CH _{4 for} feed)

As shown in Table 2, the oxygen and nitrogen content of the gas fed to the reactor varies slightly with the humidity or water content of the oxygen-containing feed stream (e.g., air).

Thus, as the humidity increases at 30 °C, the conversion of ammonia and methane to HCN products decreases. This relationship is also illustrated in Figure 4.

Example 2

This example illustrates the variable humidity problem in the air Andrussow method. These issues include increased by-product formation and increased equipment cleaning and/or replacement requirements.

Pilot scale testing was conducted using a 4 inch inner diameter stainless steel reactor with a ceramic thermal insulation lining. A 40 wt% Pt/10 wt% Rh 40 mesh screen from Johnson Matthey (USA) was loaded as a catalyst bed. The catalyst sheets were supported using perforated alumina tiles. Set the total flow rate to 2532 SCFH (standard cubic per hour). In a simulated manufacturing sequence, three reactors were used in the Andrussow reaction facility to form hydrogen cyanide from a reaction mixture of about 17 vol% methane, about 19 vol% ammonia, and about 64 vol% air in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The gaseous product stream from the reactor contains about 76mol% N _2, 4mol% hydrogen cyanide, unreacted ammonia of about 1.5mol%, from about 8mol% hydrogen, about 1.5mol% CO and about 8mol% H ₂ O, wherein cyanide the overall yield of hydrogen based on the reaction of NH ₃ was about 40% (by mole basis). The Andrussow process was carried out using methane, ammonia and air feedstock for three months, whereby the feed to the reactor was incorporated at a set feed rate and reacted in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst. The humidity value of the raw material was not adjusted.

The incoming air feed typically has an atmospheric pressure of about 1 atmosphere. The air feed input over a three month period has an average temperature of about 27 ° C and an average relative humidity of about 95% (2.1% specific humidity) at night (2 am). The average temperature of the incoming air feedstock in the morning is about 30 ° C and it has an average relative humidity of about 90% (2.4% specific humidity). However, as of about 3 pm, the average temperature of the air input material is about 38 ° C and it has a relative humidity of about 60% (2.5% specific humidity). Therefore, the average water content percentage of the air raw material varies by about 0.4% per day throughout the day.

The density of air at 30 ° C is about 1.164 kg/m ³ ; therefore, there is about 0.7 kg of air per cubic meter of total gas feed to the reactor. However, since the specific humidity of the air changes by about 0.4% throughout the day, the mass of the air fed into the reactor changes by about 0.003 g/m 3 throughout the day. This occurs on average every day during the three-month period.

Previous studies have shown that when the gas mixture changes as little as 0.003%, the amount of HCN produced can vary by 1-2%. Thus, the presence of variable humidity in the air feed results in substantially less HCN production over a three month period.

After three months, the reactor was turned off. Carbon accumulation was observed in the line through the reactor and substantial damage to the catalyst was observed. Replace the catalyst pack.

Example 3

This example illustrates the benefits of using an air feed stream with a consistent water content. Such benefits may include reduced by-product formation and reduced carbon buildup when air having a consistent water content is employed as the oxygen-containing feed stream in the Andrussow process.

The Andrussow process can be carried out as described in Example 2 except that the water content of the air feedstock is adjusted to a substantially constant value of about 1% specific humidity. The production of HCN in a three-month period The observed in Example 2 was at least about 0.5% higher.

After three months, the reactor was turned off. Substantially less carbon buildup was observed in the line through the reactor, and less or no damage to the catalyst was observed. The catalyst pack was not replaced.

All of the patents and publications referred to or referred to herein are intended to identify the state of the art to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and each of the referenced patents or publications are expressly incorporated herein by reference as if individually The text is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety or in its entirety herein. Applicants reserve the right to actually incorporate any and all materials and information from any such cited patents or publications into this specification.

The specific methods, devices, and compositions set forth herein are representative of the preferred embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other objects, aspects and embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the scope of the invention. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various alternatives and modifications can be made to the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The present invention, as exemplified herein, may be suitably implemented in the absence of any one or more of the elements or one or more limitations not specifically disclosed herein. The methods and processes exemplified herein are suitably performed in a different order of steps, and the methods and processes are not necessarily limited to the sequence of steps indicated herein or in the scope of the claims.

The singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "the" are meant to include the plural. Thus, for example, reference to "a reactor" or "a humidity regulator" or "a feed stream" includes a plurality of such reactors, humidity regulators or feed streams (eg, a series of reactors, humidity conditioning) Or feed stream) and so on. In this document, the term "or" is used to indicate non-exclusiveness, or "A or B" includes "A but not B", "B but not A" and "A and B" unless otherwise indicated.

In no event should the patent be construed as limited to the specific examples or embodiments or methods disclosed herein. In no event shall this patent be construed as being limited by any statement made by any examiner or any other staff member or employee of the Patent and Trademark Office, unless the statement is answered in writing by the applicant. It is explicitly and unconditionally or unreservedly adopted directly.

The use of the terms and expressions is used in the singular and not restrictive, and the use of such terms and expressions is not intended to exclude any equivalents of the features shown and described, or Can be within the scope of the claimed creation. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention may be modified and varied by the subject matter disclosed herein, and the This is within the scope of this creation as defined by the scope of the accompanying patent application and the statement of this creation.

This creation has been extensively and generally described herein. Each of the narrower categories and subgroups that are part of the generic disclosure also form part of this creation. This includes an overstatement of the creation, conditional or negative restrictions that remove any subject matter from that generic, regardless of whether the material removed is specifically recited herein. In addition, when the features or aspects of the creation are described in terms of the Markush group, those skilled in the art should recognize that the creation is therefore in accordance with any individual member or member subgroup of the Markush group. To elaborate.

The following statements in this creation describe some of the elements or features of this creation. Since this application is a provisional application, such statements may change when preparing and submitting a non-provisional application. If such a change occurs, such changes are not intended to affect the scope of the equivalents of the scope of the patent application that is issued in a non-provisional application. According to 35 U.S.C. § 111(b), the scope of patent application is not required for the provisional application. Therefore, according to 35 U.S.C. § 112, the statement of this creation cannot be construed as a patent application.

Statement of this creation:

CLAIMS 1. A method of producing hydrogen cyanide comprising: a) adjusting a water content of at least one gaseous feedstock to produce one or more feed streams selected from the group consisting of: a uniform water content methane feed stream, consistent An ammonia feed stream having a water content and an oxygen-containing feed stream having a uniform water content; and b) reacting the methane feed stream, the ammonia feed stream, and the oxygen feed stream, thereby producing hydrogen cyanide, wherein the methane feed At least one of the stream, the ammonia feed stream, or the oxygen feed stream is a feed stream of consistent water content.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the water content of the consistent water content feed stream varies by no more than about 1% (wt/wt) from the set point.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the change in water content of the consistent water content feed stream from the set value is less than about 0.9%, or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7% (wt/wt) of the set value. Or less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2%, less than about 0.1% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.09 %, or less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.06%, or less than about 0.05%.

4. The method of any one of statements 1 to 3, wherein the consistent water content feed stream has less than about 2.0% by volume water, or less than about 1.5% by volume water, or less than about 1.0% by volume water, or less than about 0.95 vol% water, or less than about 0.9 vol% water, or less than about 0.85 vol% water, or less than about 0.8 vol% water, or less than about 0.75 vol% water, or less than about 0.7 vol% water, or less than about 0.65 vol. % water, or less than about 0.6 vol% water, or less than about 0.55 vol% water, or less than about 0.5 vol% water, or less than about 0.45 vol% water, or less than about 0.4 vol% water, or less than about 0.35 vol% water .

5. The method of any of statements 1 to 4 wherein the water content of the ammonia feedstock or methane feedstock is adjusted.

6. The method of any of statements 1 to 5, wherein the water content of the oxygen-containing feedstock is adjusted.

7. The method of any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein the water content in the oxygen-containing feedstock is adjusted and And the oxygen-containing raw material contains a non-oxygen gas.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water content in the oxygen-containing feedstock is adjusted, and the oxygen-containing feedstock is air or oxygen-enriched air.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the oxygen source is selected from the group consisting of air, a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, molecular oxygen, and mixtures thereof.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a consistent water content and the water content is not adjusted.

11. The method of any one of statements 1 to 10, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a consistent water content and reacts to form hydrogen cyanide without adjusting the water content.

The method of any one of statements 1 to 11, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a consistent water content, the water content is not adjusted and the gaseous feedstock is a methane feed stream.

The method of any of statements 1 to 12, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a consistent water content, the water content is not adjusted and the gaseous feedstock is an ammonia feed stream.

The method of any one of statements 1 to 13, wherein the methane feed stream reacting to form hydrogen cyanide contains one or an impurity selected from the group consisting of less than about 3% alkane, less than about 2% carbon dioxide, less than About 2% hydrogen sulfide, less than about 3% nitrogen, less than about 2% carbon dioxide, and combinations thereof.

The method of any one of statements 1 to 14, wherein the methane feed stream reacting to form hydrogen cyanide has at least about 95% methane, or at least 97% methane, or at least 99% methane, or at least 99.5% methane. .

The method of any one of statements 1 to 15, wherein the ammonia feedstock contains water or oxygen impurities.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the ammonia feedstock is treated to remove oxygen impurities.

The method of any one of statements 1 to 17, wherein the ammonia feed stream contains less than 2% by volume of impurities and reacts to form a hydrogen cyanide.

The method of any one of statements 1 to 18, wherein the oxygen feed stream contains at least about 20%, at least about 21%, or at least about 22%, or at least about 23%, or at least about 24%, Or a gas of at least about 25%, or at least about 26%, or at least about 27%, or at least about 28%, or at least about 29%, or at least about 30% oxygen.

The method of any of statements 1 to 19, wherein the oxygen feed stream contains less than or equal to about 80% nitrogen.

The method of any of statements 1 to 20, wherein the oxygen feed stream has less than 2.0% organic material, or less than 1.0% organic material, or less than 0.5% organic material, or less than 0.1% organic material.

The method of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the adjusting of the water content in the at least one gaseous feedstock is carried out by using a humidity regulator comprising: (a) one or more adsorbent materials, a condenser, a condensing surface, a heater, a heat exchanger, a fan or a chiller unit; (b) one or more for vaporizing with a controlled amount of steam or by spraying, spraying, atomizing or ultrasonic vibration a unit of water; or (c) a combination thereof.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the humidity regulator comprises an adsorbent or a desiccant.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the adsorbent or desiccant comprises a material that adsorbs water but does not substantially adsorb oxygen, ammonia or methane.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 24, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a molecular sieve as an adsorbent or a desiccant.

The method of any of statements 22 to 25, wherein the humidity regulator comprises one or more absorbent materials.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more hygroscopic materials are selected from the group consisting of tannin extract, calcium oxide, sulfuric acid, and lithium chloride.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 27, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a regeneration chamber that purges water from the adsorbent or desiccant.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 28, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a condensing unit having a chamber containing a condensing surface, and a refrigerant circulating through the condensing unit to cool the condensing surface.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the humidity regulator further comprises a drain or collection container that retracts or contains water condensed from the chamber on the condensing surface.

The method of any of statements 22 to 30, wherein the humidity regulator is configured to dehumidify methane.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 31, wherein the humidity regulator is configured to dehumidify ammonia.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 32, wherein the humidity regulator is configured to dehumidify air.

The method of any of statements 22 to 33, wherein the humidity regulator is operatively coupled to the at least one feed stream heater to heat the at least one feed stream prior to entering the reactor.

The method of any of statements 22 to 34, wherein the humidity regulator further comprises at least one feed stream heater to heat the feed stream before the at least one feed stream enters the reactor.

The method of claim 34 or 35, wherein the at least one feed stream heater heats the at least one feed stream to between about 30 ° C and about 600 ° C.

The method of any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the at least one feed stream heater heats the at least one feed stream to between about 70 ° C and about 500 ° C or between about 70 ° C and about 300 ° C.

The method of any one of claims 34 to 37, wherein the at least one feed stream heater comprises a heat exchanger comprising a non-combustible heating medium.

39. The method of any of statements 1 to 41, wherein the at least two humidity adjustments The apparatus performs an adjustment of the water content of the at least one gaseous feedstock.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the at least two humidity regulators operate in parallel.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the at least two humidity regulators operate in series.

The method of any of statements 1 to 41, further comprising detecting the humidity of the at least one material.

The method of any of statements 1 to 42, further comprising detecting the humidity of the at least one feed stream.

44. The method of claim 42 or 43, wherein detecting humidity further comprises providing an output signal identifying a humidity value of the at least one material.

The method of claim 42 or 43, wherein detecting the humidity further comprises providing an output signal identifying the humidity value of the at least one feed stream.

46. The method of claim 44 or 45, wherein the identified humidity value is a specific humidity output or an absolute humidity output.

The method of any of statements 1 to 46, further comprising detecting humidity and comparing the at least one feed stream humidity value to a humidity setting.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the humidity setting is about 1% by volume water (or about 0.6% by weight water), or about 0.9% by volume water (or about 0.55% by weight water), or about 0.85% by volume water ( Or about 0.5% by weight water), or about 0.75% by volume water (or about 0.4% by weight water).

The method of any one of statements 22 to 48, further comprising detecting the humidity of the at least one material, comparing the at least one material moisture value to the humidity setting, and modulating the function or activity of the humidity regulator.

50. The method of any of statements 22 to 49, further comprising detecting humidity of the feed stream, comparing at least one feed stream humidity value to a humidity set point, and modulating the function or activity of the humidity regulator .

51. The method of claim 49 or 50, wherein the humidity detector is initially adjusted by the water content of the humidity regulator.

52. The method of claim 49 or 50, wherein the humidity detector terminates by adjusting the water content of the humidity regulator.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 52, further comprising detecting a humidity of the raw material, comparing at least one raw material humidity value with a humidity set value, and if the moisture content of the raw material with respect to the water content is from the humidity set value The change is less than about 0.9%, or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% (wt/wt), or Less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2%, less than about 0.1% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.09%, or less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.06%, or Less than about 0.05% modulates the function or activity of the humidity regulator.

The method of any one of statements 22 to 53, further comprising detecting a humidity of the feed stream, comparing at least one feed stream humidity value to a humidity set point, and if the feed stream humidity is related to the water content The change in value from the humidity setting is less than about 0.9%, or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% of the set value ( Wt/wt), or less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2%, less than about 0.1% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.09%, or less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or Less than about 0.06%, or less than about 0.05%, modulates the function or activity of the humidity regulator.

55. A system comprising: a) a reactor configured to react methane, ammonia, and oxygen in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst; and b) at least one humidity regulator operatively coupled to the reactor And configured to adjust the water content of the at least one gaseous feedstock to produce one or more feed streams selected from the group consisting of: a uniform water content methane feed stream, a consistent water content ammonia feed stream, and a uniform water a content of an oxygen-containing feed stream; wherein at least one of the methane feed stream, the ammonia feed stream, or the oxygen feed stream A consistent water content feed stream.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to produce a consistent water content feed stream having a water content that varies by no more than about 1% (wt/wt) from a set point.

57. The system of claim 55 or 56, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to produce a consistent water content feed stream having a change in water content from the set value that is less than about 0.9% of the set value, or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2%, less than about 0.1. % (wt/wt), or less than about 0.09%, or less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.06%, or less than about 0.05%.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 57, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to produce a consistent water content feed stream: (a) having less than about 2.0% by volume water, Or less than about 1.5% by volume water, or less than about 1.0% by volume water, or less than about 0.95% by volume water, or less than about 0.9% by volume water, or less than about 0.85% by volume water, or less than about 0.8% by volume water, or less than About 0.75 vol% water, or less than about 0.7 vol% water, or less than about 0.65 vol% water, or less than about 0.6 vol% water, or less than about 0.55 vol% water, or less than about 0.5 vol% water, or less than about 0.45 5% by volume of water, or less than about 0.4% by volume water, or less than about 0.35% by volume water; and/or (b) having greater than about 0.001% by volume water, or greater than about 0.002% by volume water, or greater than about 0.003% by volume water, Or greater than about 0.004 vol% water, or greater than about 0.005 vol% water, or greater than about 0.006 vol% water, or greater than about 0.007 vol% water, or greater than about 0.008 vol% water, or greater than about 0.009 vol% water, or greater than About 0.001% by volume water, or greater than about 0.0015% by volume water, or greater than about 0.002% by volume water, or greater than about 0.0025 body % Water, or greater than about 0.003% by volume water, or greater than about 0.0035% by volume water, or greater than about 0.004% by volume water.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 58, wherein the at least one humidity adjustment The device is configured to regulate the water content of the ammonia feedstock or methane feedstock.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 59, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to adjust the water content of the oxygenated feedstock.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 60, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to adjust a water content in the oxygen-containing feedstock, and the oxygen-containing feedstock contains an oxygen-free gas.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 61, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to adjust a water content in the oxygen-containing feedstock, and the oxygen-containing feedstock is air or oxygen-enriched air.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 62, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to adjust a water content in the oxygen feedstock, and the oxygen feedstock is selected from the group consisting of: air, oxygen And a mixture of nitrogen, molecular oxygen and mixtures thereof.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 63, further comprising at least one bypass conduit configured to bypass at least one gaseous feedstock having a uniform water content around the at least one humidity regulator.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 64, configured to feed at least one gaseous feedstock having a consistent water content directly into the reactor without passing through the at least one humidity regulator.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 65, configured to feed at least one methane feedstock having a uniform water content directly into the reactor without passing through the at least one humidity regulator.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 66, configured to feed at least one ammonia feedstock having a consistent water content directly into the reactor without passing through the at least one humidity regulator.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 67, configured to feed at least one oxygen-containing feedstock having a uniform water content directly into the reactor without passing through the at least one A humidity regulator.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 68, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a uniform water content, the change in water content from the set value being less than about 0.9%, or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7 of the set value. % (wt/wt), or less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2%, less than about 0.1% (wt/wt) Or less than about 0.09%, or less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.06%, or less than about 0.05%.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 69, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a consistent water content, the water content being: (a) less than about 2.0% by volume water, or less than about 1.5% by volume water, or less than about 1.0 vol% water, or less than about 0.95 vol% water, or less than about 0.9 vol% water, or less than about 0.85 vol% water, or less than about 0.8 vol% water, or less than about 0.75 vol% water, or less than about 0.7 volume % water, or less than about 0.65 vol% water, or less than about 0.6 vol% water, or less than about 0.55 vol% water, or less than about 0.5 vol% water, or less than about 0.45 vol% water, or less than about 0.4 vol% water Or less than about 0.35 vol% water; and/or (b) greater than about 0.001 vol% water, or greater than about 0.002 vol% water, or greater than about 0.003 vol% water, or greater than about 0.004 vol% water, or greater than about 0.005 5% by volume of water, or greater than about 0.006 vol% water, or greater than about 0.007 vol% water, or greater than about 0.008 vol% water, or greater than about 0.009 vol% water, or greater than about 0.001 vol% water, or greater than about 0.0015 vol% Water, or greater than about 0.002 vol% water, or greater than about 0.0025 vol% water, or greater than about 0.003 vol% water, Greater than about 0.0035% by volume water, or greater than about 0.004% by volume water.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 70, wherein the reactor comprises one or more reactant gas inlets configured to be selected from the group consisting of a methane feed stream, an ammonia feed stream, and an oxygen feed stream A reactant feed stream of the group consisting of or a combination thereof is fed to the reactor, wherein one or more of the reactant feed streams are a consistent water content feed stream.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 71, wherein the reactor comprises a reactant gas inlet to at least two reactions selected from the group consisting of a methane feed stream, an ammonia feed stream, and an oxygen feed stream. A combination of feed streams is fed to the reactor wherein one or more of the reactant feed streams are a consistent water content feed stream.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 72, wherein the reactor comprises three reactant gas inlets to react a reactant selected from the group consisting of a methane feed stream, an ammonia feed stream, and an oxygen feed stream. The gas feed stream is fed separately to the reactor, wherein one or more of the reactant feed streams are a consistent water content feed stream.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 73, wherein the methane feed stream fed to the reactor contains one or an impurity selected from the group consisting of less than about 3% alkane and less than about 2% carbon dioxide. Less than about 2% hydrogen sulfide, less than about 3% nitrogen, less than about 2% carbon dioxide, and combinations thereof.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 74, wherein the methane feed stream fed to the reactor has at least about 95% methane, or at least 97% methane, or at least 99% methane, or at least 99.5% Methane.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 75, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock is a methane feedstock having water that is less than an absolute humidity set point and is used as the methane feed stream.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 76, wherein the ammonia feedstock contains water or oxygen impurities.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 77, wherein the ammonia feedstock is dehumidified to produce an ammonia feed stream.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 78, wherein the ammonia feedstock is treated to remove oxygen impurities.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 79, wherein the ammonia feed stream contains less than 2% by volume of impurities when fed to the reactor.

The system of any of statements 55 to 80, wherein the oxygen feed stream has less than 2.0% organic material, or less than 1.0% organic material, or less than 0.5% organic material, or less than 0.1% organic material.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 81, wherein the humidity regulator comprises: (a) one or more adsorbent materials, a condenser, a condensing surface, a heater, a heat exchanger, a fan or a chiller unit; b) one or more units for passing a controlled amount of steam or water vaporized by spraying, spraying, atomizing or ultrasonic vibration; or (c) a combination thereof.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 82, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a condenser and a condensate collector.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 83, wherein the humidity regulator comprises an adsorbent or a desiccant.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the adsorbent or desiccant comprises a material that adsorbs water but does not substantially adsorb oxygen, ammonia or methane.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 85, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a molecular sieve as an adsorbent or a desiccant.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 86, wherein the humidity regulator comprises one or more absorbent materials.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein the one or more hygroscopic materials are selected from the group consisting of tannin extract, calcium oxide, sulfuric acid, and lithium chloride.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 88, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a regeneration chamber that purges water from the adsorbent or desiccant.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 89, wherein the humidity regulator comprises a condensing unit having a chamber containing a condensing surface, and a refrigerant circulating through the condensing unit to cool the condensing surface.

91. The system of claim 90, wherein the humidity regulator further comprises a drain or collection container that retracts or contains water condensed from the chamber on the condensing surface.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 91, further comprising at least one feed stream heater to heat the at least one feed stream prior to entering the reactor.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the at least one feed stream heater heats the at least one feed stream to between about 30 ° C and about 600 ° C.

94. The system of claim 92 or 93, wherein the at least one feed stream heater heats the at least one feed stream to between about 70 ° C and about 500 ° C or between about 70 ° C and about 300 ° C.

The system of any one of statements 92 to 94, wherein the at least one feed stream heater comprises a heat exchanger comprising a non-combustible heating medium.

96. The system of any of statements 92 to 95, comprising at least two humidity regulators.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the at least two humidity regulators operate in parallel.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein the at least two humidity regulators operate in series.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 98, further comprising a humidity detector.

100. The system of claim 99, wherein the humidity detector provides an output signal that identifies a humidity value of the at least one material.

101. The system of claim 99 or 100, wherein the humidity detector provides an output signal that identifies an absolute humidity value of the at least one material.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 101, further comprising a humidity detector, wherein the humidity detector compares the at least one feed stream humidity value to the humidity set point.

The system of any one of claims 100 to 102, wherein the identified humidity value is a specific humidity output or an absolute humidity output.

104. The system of claim 102 or 103, wherein the humidity setting is a specific humidity setting Value or absolute humidity setting.

The system of any one of statements 102 to 104, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to produce a consistent water content feed stream having a change in water content from a set value of less than about 0.9% of the set value Or less than about 0.8%, less than about 0.7% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.6%, or less than about 0.5%, less than about 0.4% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.3%, or less than about 0.2% Less than about 0.1% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.09%, or less than about 0.08%, less than about 0.07% (wt/wt), or less than about 0.06%, or less than about 0.05%.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 105, wherein the humidity detector comprises a moisture absorbing material.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein the humidity detector detects and/or quantifies an increase in weight of the moisture absorbing material.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 107, wherein the humidity detector comprises a hygrometer.

109. The system of claim 108, wherein the hygrometer detects electrical resistance, electrical conductivity, capacitance or electrical impedance of the moisture absorbing material.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 110, wherein the humidity detector modulates the function or activity of the humidity regulator.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 54, wherein the humidity detector initiates adjustment of the material by the humidity regulator.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 111, wherein the humidity detector increases the adjustment of the material by the humidity regulator.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 111, wherein the humidity detector reduces the adjustment of the material by the humidity regulator.

The system of any one of claims 99 to 111, wherein the humidity detector terminates adjustment of the material by the humidity regulator.

The system of any one of statements 55 to 114, wherein the system produces hydrogen cyanide (HCN).

10‧‧‧Andrussow reactor

20‧‧‧Humidity adjustment unit/humidity regulator

30‧‧‧Humidity adjustment unit/humidity regulator

40‧‧‧Humidity adjustment unit/humidity regulator

A‧‧‧Reaction material gas/ammonia

B‧‧‧Reaction material gas/methane

C‧‧‧Reaction material gas/air

Claims (18)

A system for reducing humidity during an ANDRUSSOW process comprising: a) a reactor configured to react methane, ammonia, and oxygen in the presence of a platinum-containing catalyst; and b) at least one humidity adjustment An operatively coupled to the reactor and configured to adjust a water content of the at least one gaseous feedstock to produce one or more feed streams selected from the group consisting of: a uniform water content methane feed stream, consistent A water feed ammonia feed stream and a consistent water content oxygenated feed stream; wherein at least one of the methane feed stream, the ammonia feed stream, or the oxygen feed stream is a feed stream of consistent water content. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to produce a consistent water content feed stream: (a) having less than 2.0% by volume water; and/or (b) having More than 0.001% by volume of water. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to adjust the water content of the ammonia feedstock or methane feedstock. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one humidity regulator is configured to adjust a water content of the oxygen-containing feedstock selected from the group consisting of: air, oxygen-enriched air, oxygen-enriched and nitrogen-enriched air. . The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one bypass conduit configured to bypass at least one gaseous feedstock having a consistent water content around the at least one humidity regulator. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one gaseous raw material has a uniform water content, and the change in water content from the set value is less than 0.1% (wt/wt), or less than 0.09%, or less than 0.08%, less than 0.07 of the set value. %, or less than 0.06% or less than 0.05%. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one gaseous feedstock has a consistent water content, wherein the water content is: (a) less than 0.85 vol% water; and/or (b) greater than 0.001 vol% water. The system of claim 1, wherein the humidity regulator comprises: (a) one or more adsorbent materials, a hygroscopic material, a desiccant, a molecular sieve, a compressor, a condenser, a condensing surface, a heater, a heat exchanger, a fan, or a freezer unit; (b) one or more units for passing a controlled amount of steam or water vaporized by spraying, spraying, atomizing or ultrasonic vibration; or (c) a combination thereof. A system according to claim 1, wherein the humidity regulator does not adsorb a large amount of oxygen, ammonia or methane. The system of claim 1, wherein the humidity regulator is configured to purge water from a material, component, chamber, and/or surface of the humidity regulator. The system of claim 1, wherein the humidity regulator comprises one or more of a condenser and a condensate collector; an adsorbent or a desiccant; a molecular sieve or a hygroscopic material; and combinations thereof. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one raw material humidity detector to determine at least one raw material humidity value, wherein the raw material humidity detector optionally compares the at least one raw material humidity value to the set value of the at least one raw material humidity . The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one feed stream moisture detector to determine at least one feed stream humidity value, wherein the feed stream humidity detector optionally includes at least one feed stream moisture value and the at least one The set values of the humidity of the feed stream are compared. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the humidity detector has a diverter, the turn The director diverts the feed stream away from the reactor and into the humidity regulator. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the raw material humidity detector or the feed stream humidity detector is initiated, modulated or terminated by the water content of one or more humidity regulators, or terminated by the humidity Adjust the water content of the regulator. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one feed stream heater to heat the at least one feed stream prior to entering the reactor. A system as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least two humidity regulators, said at least two humidity regulators operating in at least one of parallel and series. The system of claim 1 wherein the system produces hydrogen cyanide (HCN).