Acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile is produced in two almost identical
production lines from the raw materials propylene, ammonia and air . The
chemical reaction takes place in a fluid bed reactor in the presence of a
catalyst. Ammonia is separated from the product stream using sulphuric acid,
resulting in an ammonia sulphate solution. Waste gas is incinerated in a power
plant. Acrylonitrile and hydrogen cyanide are separated from the product
stream by distillation after which the products are purified. After
stabilisation, the purified acrylonitrile is sent to storage tanks.The total
production capacity of acrylonitrile is 275,000 metric tonnes per year.
Sodium Cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide is dissolved in a continuous
process in 50% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, resulting in a 30% NaCN
aqueous solution. The total production capacity of sodium cyanide is 28,000
metric tonnes per year (100% basis)
