Chemical Fact Sheet

62',80 &<$1,'(
Molecular formula
Na – C – N

Physical properties
3
Specific Gravity (20°C): 1-60–1.62 gm/cm
Vapour Pressure (817°C): 1mm Hg
Solubility in water (15°C): 34% w/w
Melting Point (C): Approx 560°C
Boiling Point (C): Approx 1500°C
A white deliquescent solid as cyanoids, granules or powder with a faint "bitter almonds" odour.
Sodium cyanide is soluble in water, soluble in liquid ammonia and slightly soluble in methanol and
ethanol.
Sodium cyanide will liberate highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas upon contact with water (including moist
air) and acidic media. It will react vigorously with oxidising agents with significant fire risk.

End uses
Sodium cyanide is used to extract gold and silver from ores. It is also used in the heat treatment of
metals and in electroplating.

Production process
Sodium cyanide produced at the Orica Yarwun, Queensland, plant utilises the Andrussow process. The
raw materials used in this process are Ammonia, Methane, Air and sodium hydroxide (caustic soda).
Ammonia is purchased as anhydrous liquid where it is stored in specially constructed stock tanks or
bullets. Before it can be used in the process it must be converted into the gaseous state which is
accomplished by simply passing the liquid over steam tubes.
Methane is supplied as natural gas from the Roma, Queensland gasfields. This gas is purified and the
methane content enriched by pretreatment in the gas enrichment plant. This plant converts the higher
hydrocarbons ie ethane, butane and propane to methane.
Air is supplied from the atmosphere after passing it through a blower or compressor.
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) is supplied from the chlorine plant on the site.
There are several different stages of the production process:
a) Conversion
A stoichiometric mixture of ammonia, methane and air is passed over a platinum catalyst at 1050°C. The
Andrussow reaction is very complex but may be represented simply by the equation.

NH + CH + 1.5 O = HCN + 3H O
3 4 2 2
The resultant product is hydrogen cyanide and water. In reality some carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide
and hydrogen is also produced by various side reactions.
2 Sodium Cyanide

This gas mixture is cooled to approximately 100°C by passing it through a boiler called the waste heat
boiler which produces steam for the evaporation process.
b) Absorption
The cooled gas is passed into an absorber where 50 per cent sodium hydroxide is added. The hydrogen
cyanide is absorbed in the following reaction.

HCN + NaOH = NaCN + H O

2
The resulting sodium cyanide solution strength is approximately 30%w/w.
c) Crystallisation
Sodium cyanide solution from the absorber is pumped into an evaporator where water is removed to
saturate the solution with respect to sodium cyanide. When saturation is obtained, sodium cyanide nuclei
are formed which rapidly grow into cubic crystals of solid sodium cyanide. The resulting slurry of sodium
cyanide crystals and liquor are then separated in a centrifuge. The wet crystals are then fed into a dryer
and the liquor is sent to the solution storage tank for recirculation to the evaporator.
d) Drying and compaction

The wet crystals are dried in a natural gas fired drier which removes the water to less that 0.1 %w/w.
The dry crystals are then fed into a compaction press which produces an ovoid shaped (pillow shaped
similar in size to a hotel bar of soap) cyanoid weighing approximately 35 grams. These cyanoids are
packed into 1 tonne boxes prior to sale.

Waste management during manufacture

During the gas enrichment process sulphur compounds are removed since these will poison the platinum
catalyst. Carbon dioxide, either present in the natural gas or produced within the enrichment process is
also removed.
Environmental controls are a vital component of the sodium cyanide production process.
Waste gas from the absorption section which contains small amounts of hydrogen cyanide is passed
through a burner which oxidises the hydrogen cyanide and other inert gases to nitrogen, carbon dioxide
and oxides of nitrogen. Before these gases can be discharged to the atmosphere they are passed
through a Denox unit to reduce the levels of oxides of nitrogen to a value which is acceptable to the
regulatory authorities. This process is called the Exxon process where ammonia gas is injected into the
combusted product stream to reduce the oxides of nitrogen to water and nitrogen.

NO + NH = N + H O
x 3 2 2
The heat liberated in the combustion of waste gas is used to generate steam.
Waste liquid streams containing small amounts of sodium cyanide are collected in the plant effluent
system and pumped to a recovery unit where 99.0% of the cyanide is recovered as sodium cyanide.
The sodium cyanide solution recovered in this unit is returned to the process. The waste effluent stream
is pumped to the effluent treatment tanks.
Sodium hypochlorite solution is added to the effluent treatment tanks which reacts with any remaining
sodium cyanide to produce sodium cyanate.

NaCN + NaClO = NaCNO + NaCl

This treated effluent stream is then analysed to ensure the impurity levels do not exceed statutory
requirements before being discharged off site.
Sodium Cyanide 3

Personnel
There are a range of careers associated with the production of sodium cyanide. These include;
Production
• Chemical plant operators
Production Support
• Engineering:
chemical, mechanical, electrical, civil
• Laboratory:
laboratory technicians, chemists
• Administration:
general management, quality management, accounting, purchasing, human resource management,
safety officer, occupational health nurse, typing and secretarial, computing, training
• Maintenance:
Mechanical trades, instrument/electrical technicians
• Transport/stores:
Drivers, storemen
Sales/Marketing
• Sales representatives
Some of these jobs may be provided by "contract labour", consultants etc depending upon the
complexity, duration and extent of the work to be performed.

Handling
Sodium cyanide is classified as a toxic and dangerous substance for the purpose of transport. Refer to
relevant regulations for storage and transport requirements.
Sodium cyanide is packed into woven polypropylene bulk bags which are hermetically sealed inside a
plastic film liner within a wooden box. The wooden boxes are transported inside steel shipping containers
twenty at a time.
This material is a Scheduled Poison (S7) and must therefore be stored, maintained and used in
accordance with the relevant regulations.
The product is to be stored in a well ventilated and locked area. Keep dry—contact with moisture or
acidic media will result in the formation of highly toxic hydrogen cyanide gas. Containers are to be kept
closed at all times. Store away from acidic media, oxidising agents, and foodstuffs.
Spills
In the event of a spill immediate action is required. The area must be cleared of all unprotected
personnel and they must be moved upwind. Increase ventilation. Wear full protective equipment,
including respirator or air supplied mask, to prevent skin and eye contamination and inhalation of highly
toxic hydrogen cyanide gas (liberated upon contact with water). Contain any spills to prevent
contamination of drains and waterways.
The spillage area and contaminated solids can be detoxified by treating with an excess of dilute sodium
hypochlorite solution, calcium hypochlorite solution, or ferrous sulphate. Take care to avoid contact with
detoxification solutions which are corrosive. Allow approximately 1 hour for complete decomposition
before washing spillage area down with large quantities of water to ensure maximum dilution.
4 Sodium Cyanide

Note: The detoxification procedure converts the cyanide ion to the cyanate ion which on continued
reaction breaks down to carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Reaction with ferrous sulphate produces
non toxic ferro cyanide.
Disposal
Refer to State Land Waste Management Authority. Waste treatment is essential and empty containers
must be decontaminated and destroyed.
Fire/explosion hazard
Sodium cyanide is not combustible. It can decompose on heating or on contact with moisture or acidic
media emitting highly toxic fumes of hydrogen cyanide and ammonia which are flammable and will
therefore contribute to the fire risk. If safe to do so, remove containers from path of fire. Do not spray
containers with water. Fire fighters are to wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
Only dry chemical powder fire extinguishers are to be used. DO NOT use carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Safety data

Health effects
Short term exposure to sodium cyanide by all routes is considered to be highly toxic. This product can kill
by any exposure route.
Repeated or prolonged skin contact to low concentrations of the solid may lead to a dermatitic effect—
"cyanide rash", characterised by itching and skin eruptions.
Exposure to the solid by any route of exposure can be rapidly fatal, as can exposure to hydrogen cyanide
gas, a decomposition product formed when material is heated or upon contact with moisture or acid.
The early symptoms of exposure are:
• skin or eye irritation with discomfort or burning sensation
• irritation of nose and throat
• metallic taste in mouth
• headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting
• initial rapid breathing followed by sense of suffocation
• general weakness, and heaviness in arms and legs
• rapid pulse
• increased difficulty in breathing
In the case of severe poisoning the signs are;
• cherry-red complexions
• unconsciousness
• cessation of breathing and possible death
The common symptoms associated with chronic exposure to sodium cyanide are headache, weakness,
changes in taste and smell, irritation of the throat, vomiting and difficulty in breathing upon exertion.

First aid
If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre.
Toxic effects may result from ingestion, inhalation of vapours of decomposition products, or by
absorption through intact skin.
The patient must be transferred immediately to a hospital or medical centre.
Sodium Cyanide 5

Attachment
Sodium Cyanide production process.
Information contained in this fact sheet is given in good faith and is as accurate as possible. Orica
accepts no liability resulting from reliance on same and gives no warranties other than those imposed
mandatorily by law.
Orica Limited
January 1999

Copyright 1992–1999 Orica Limited, ACN 004 145 868.

 SODIUM CYANIDE: SIMPLIFIED
PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM

Steam
to the Evaporation
and Drying Process
Ammonia Bullet Air

Natural Gas REACTOR

100 C
Caustic Soda
Natural
Storage Gas
Rich in Platinum
Methane Catalyst

(NaOH) 1050 C
Waste Heat
Gas Enrichment Reactor Off-Gas Boiler
Water
Waste Gases to Waste Treatment Plant
Reactor Off - Gas
Mainly HCN, H2 , CO, CO2 , dan N
2

Steam
30% Sodium Cyanide Solution

Products To
Water Evaporator

-Storage
Absorber

-Packing
and
Solid Liquid
Cetrifuge Crystal Drying -Transport by
-sea
Dryer
-rail
-road

Solid
Product
NaCN
HCN
Absorbtion Crystal
Crystallisation
Steam Steam

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