Process for the catalytic preparation of hydrogen cyanide from methane and ammonia

Abstract

The invention relates to a catalyst material comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on said support. The first and second metals are in the form of a chemical compound. The first metal is Fe, Co or Ni, and the second metal is selected from the group consisting of Sn, Zn and In. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from methane (CH 4 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ), wherein the methane and ammonia are contacted with a catalyst according to the invention.

1 . A catalyst material comprising a support, a first metal and a second metal on said support, wherein said first and second metal are in the form of a chemical compound, where said first metal is Fe, Co or Ni, and where said second metal is selected from the group consisting of Sn, Zn and In. 
     
     
         2 . A catalyst material according to  claim 1 , wherein the support comprises an alumina, a spinel of alumina, an oxide, a carbide, a nitride, or a carbonitride. 
     
     
         3 . A catalyst material according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second metal form a ternary compound with carbon or nitrogen. 
     
     
         4 . A catalyst material according to  claim 1 , wherein the first metal comprises Co. 
     
     
         5 . A catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein the first metal comprises Co and the second metal comprises Sn. 
     
     
         6 . A catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the weight percent of Fe, Co or Ni to Sn, Zn or In is between about 5:1 and 1:5. 
     
     
         7 . A catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the weight percent of Fe, Co or Ni to Sn, Zn or In is about 1:2.4. 
     
     
         8 . A catalyst according to  claim 1 , wherein the support is a ferromagnetic support. 
     
     
         9 . A catalyst according to  claim 8 , wherein the support comprises Co and wherein the second metal is coated onto the support. 
     
     
         10 . A process for the preparation of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from methane (CH 4 ) and ammonia (NH 3 ), wherein the methane and ammonia are contacted with a catalyst according to  claim 1 , and the temperature of the process is less than 1000° C. 
     
     
         11 . A process according to  claim 8 , wherein the temperature of the process is between 750° C. and 950° C. 
     
     
         12 . A process according to  claim 8 , wherein the support is a ferromagnetic support used as an inductive heating element in the process. 
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 10 , wherein the support comprises Co and wherein the second metal is coated onto the support.