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Abstract

This invention is a method for producing hydrocyanic acid by using an element which comprises a foraminous structure fabricated from a material consisting essentially of a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, palladium and alloys of mixtures thereof characterized by (a) a novel configuration whereby the initial product of the formula: curve the flat ratio (C/F) multiplied by mesh size (N) and wire diameter (d.sub.w), for said element is greater than at least about 0.08 and (b) where, for a given methane and ammonia throughput, the conversion efficiency is a function of the curve to flat ratio (C/F), wire diameter (d.sub.w) and mesh size (N) combination and conversion efficiency is improved by increasing the mesh size (N) for a given wire diameter, increasing the wire diameter (d.sub.w) for a given mesh size, and increasing the curve to flat ratio (C/F) to a ratio of above 1.0. Preferably the initial product of the formula is greater than 0.2 and the curve to flat ratio (C/F) is above 1.0, most preferably above about .pi./2. The preferred initial product of the formula is in the range of from 0.08 to about 10 and more preferred from about 0.2, most preferred 0.9, to about 10. The preferred element is woven gauze, knitted fabric, fibers and combinations thereof. The element can be in a series of said elements as a plurality of screens.

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First Claim