Hydrogen Cyanide Price | Current and Historical
Monitor Hydrogen Cyanide Prices Worldwide
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See monthly Hydrogen Cyanide prices in 5 locations: United States, Europe, China. Also check Hydrogen Cyanide price history since 2007. The chart below is a sample of Intratec Primary Commodity Prices - subscribe now and gain access to current prices of 237 commodities, including Hydrogen Cyanide.
Data Legend. The Hydrogen Cyanide price chart shows the prices in USA Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt) in 3 locations, as follows:
- US: Hydrogen Cyanide, United States, cash cost
- EUR: Hydrogen Cyanide, Europe, cash cost, Germany
- CN: Hydrogen Cyanide, China, cash cost
Data Use. Hydrogen Cyanide prices are provided as an annual subscription where subscribers have access to reliable pricing data of 237 commodities worldwide. To better understand data provided by Intratec Primary Commodity Prices, check the following documents: Price Assessment Basis , Commodities Specifications , Methodology , User Guide , and Glossary .
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Price Dynamics. The Hydrogen Cyanide price in United States increased during November 2018 to 637 USD per metric ton, which represents a rise of 5% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, Hydrogen Cyanide prices in United States increased significantly by 12%. Meanwhile, in Germany, the average price of Hydrogen Cyanide amounted to 875 USD per metric ton, from 725 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the Hydrogen Cyanide price in Germany is 2% higher than the price one month before.
The price of Hydrogen Cyanide in China rose considerably throughout November 2018, reaching 917 USD per metric ton. The price in China is 9% higher than the average price in the previous month and 10% higher than the average price one year before.
About Hydrogen Cyanide. Hydrogen Cyanide (a.k.a. HCN, Prussic Acid, Hydrocyanic Acid) is a chemical precursor used in the production of several industrially relevant compounds, from polymers to pharmaceuticals. Hydrogen Cyanide is a volatile, flammable, and highly toxic gas in temperatures above 25 °C. Otherwise, it is a dangerous transparent liquid and its storage and transport are prohibited in certain locations.
Hydrogen Cyanide is directly produced on an industrial scale through two main routes. The direct production of HCN known as the Andrussow process is based on the reaction of ammonia, methane (natural gas), and air over a platinum catalyst. The so-called Blausäure-Methan-Ammoniak (BMA) process, in turn, is based on the reaction of ammonia and methane only. Finally, Hydrogen Cyanide may also be indirectly produced as a by-product of acrylonitrile production involving propylene ammoxidation. It is worth noting that Hydrogen Cyanide plants are necessarily integrated into consumer facilities.
Hydrogen Cyanide has a low boiling point, high toxicity, and instability in the presence of moisture, bases, or other impurities. Materials compatible with HCN are stainless steel, Hastelloy, and Monel. To prevent polymerization, stabilizing agents such as sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic or acetic acid, and sulfur dioxide are used. Larger amounts are stored at a maximum temperature of 5 °C and must be permanently recirculated. The color of the liquid should not exceed APHA 20. Storage and handling buildings must be well-ventilated. Due to its toxicity, HCN requires special packaging and transportation regulations. Small quantities of the stabilized acid are transported in metal cylinders with less than 0.55 - 0.60 kg of liquid HCN per 1 L bottle. The water content should not exceed 3 %, and the storage time should be less than one year. Hydrogen cyanide is mainly shipped by rail, respecting applicable transport regulations. Transport in rail cars is only permitted with the approval of the relevant authorities.
Currently, HCN is mainly produced directly through the reaction of ammonia, natural gas, and air (Andrussow process) and through the reaction of ammonia and natural gas (BMA process); and as a by-product from the acrylonitrile production through the ammoxidation of propylene. Raw materials and the respective production processes employed in the manufacturing of Hydrogen Cyanide are listed below.
- Propylene + ammonia (ammoxidation)
- Formamide (BASF formamide process)
- Natural gas + ammonia + air (Andrussow process),
- Natural gas + ammonia (BMA process),
- Propane/raffinate II + ammonia (Shawinigan electrothermal process)
The uses and applications of Hydrogen Cyanide may vary according to its specification. The main forms of Hydrogen Cyanide are technical grade (96-99.5% purity); 5 and 10% aqueous solutions; 2% USP grade solution; and gas. All grades usually contain a stabilizer to prevent decomposition.
