# BMA process

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{{Short description|Chemical process for the production of hydrogen cyanide}}
The '''BMA process''' or '''Degussa process''' is a chemical process developed by the German chemical company [Degussa](/source/Degussa)<ref>[http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5928984-description.html patent literature] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120906220240/http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/5928984-description.html |date=2012-09-06 }}</ref> for the production of [hydrogen cyanide](/source/hydrogen_cyanide) from [methane](/source/methane) and [ammonia](/source/ammonia) in presence of a [platinum](/source/platinum) [catalyst](/source/Catalysis). Hydrogen [cyanide](/source/cyanide) is used in the chemical industry for the production of intermediate chemicals like [acrylonitrile](/source/acrylonitrile), [methyl methacrylate](/source/methyl_methacrylate), and [adiponitrile](/source/adiponitrile).

The name is abbreviated from '''B'''lausäure (hydrogen cyanide) from '''M'''ethan (methane) and  '''A'''mmoniak (ammonia) in German.

The reaction equation is analog to the [steam methane reforming (SMR)](/source/Steam_reforming) reaction of methane and water:

:CH<sub>4</sub> + NH<sub>3</sub> → HCN + 3 H<sub>2</sub>, ΔH<sub>R</sub> = 251 kJ / mol

The reaction is extremely [endothermic](/source/endothermic). The reactants react in a Platinum-covered pipe at approximately 1400&nbsp;°C. The reaction mixture contains around 23 Vol.-% HCN and 72 Vol.-% H<sub>2</sub> as well as minor quantities of ammonia, nitrogen, and unreacted methane.<ref>{{cite journal
| title = Die technische Synthese von Cyanwasserstoff aus Methan und Ammoniak ohne Zusatz von Sauerstoff 
| author = F. Endter
| journal = Chemie Ingenieur Technik
| year = 1958
| volume = 30
| issue = 5
| pages = 281–376
| doi = 10.1002/cite.330300506
}}</ref>

The gaseous mixture is introduced in a [scrubber](/source/scrubber) and treated with an ammonia solution (producing [ammonium cyanide](/source/ammonium_cyanide)) allowing the other gaseous components: H<sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub> to pass through. In a second step the HCN is released by acidification of the solution, followed by a final distillation of the hydrogen cyanide. Because of the highly endothermic reaction, the BMA process is of lower importance for the production of HCN compared to the [Andrussow process](/source/Andrussow_process).

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://www.methacrylates.de/methacrylates/MCMSbase/Templates/WWWTemplate.aspx?NRMODE=Published&NRNODEGUID=%7b855AEA74-FFCC-4FE6-991E-FE45567D5FC9%7d&NRORIGINALURL=%2fmethacrylates%2fen%2fproducts%2fmonomers%2flicenses%2fhcntechnology%2f&NRCACHEHINT=Guest Process description]

Category:Chemical processes
Category:Catalysis

{{catalysis-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [BMA process](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMA_process) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMA_process?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.