System Proven at Maximum Temperature; Quartz Processing to High Purity Silicon Can Now Begin
MONTREAL, Nov. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (https://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX: PYR) (NASDAQ: PYR) (FRA: 8PY), a high-tech company (hereinafter referred to as the “Company” or “PyroGenesis”), that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and address environmental pollutants, is pleased to confirm, that, further to HPQ Silicon Resources Inc’s (“HPQ” or the “Client”) press release of earlier today, and further to the Company’s news release on October 6, 2022, the Company has successfully completed the high-temperature operational testing phase of the Gen3 PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR) pilot plant (the “ Gen3 PUREVAP ™ Pilot Plant” or the “Pilot Plant”).
The GEN3 PUREVAP™ QRR pilot plant, the first state-of-the-art prototype of its kind, includes multiple systems that must operate at extremely high temperatures, under vacuum, and under harsh conditions.
An operational test phase, which consisted of a series of optimization and repeatability tests of the production process, were conducted over the past several weeks. Specifically, the system was operated at increasingly higher temperatures (> 2000 ºC), with each test examining the impact on a carbon liner substance within the reactor. In simple terms, if during the test the carbon liner substance was combusted and eliminated, a faulty test had occurred, as the system was not maintaining vacuum – due to oxygen entering the internal atmosphere and causing a “burn” of the material – or the various reactor components were not functioning correctly. However, if the carbon liner substance remained intact after testing, despite the ultra-high temperatures, the internal atmosphere was correct, the vacuum maintained, and the reactor performed as desired. The Company is pleased to announce that the carbon liner substance remained intact, signifying that the system performed beyond expectations. This test included a final continuous operational period of 72 hours at high power.
Based on these results, reactants can now be introduced into the pilot plant for the purpose of creating high purity silicon test & sample batches for distribution to potential buyers.
“Advancing the PUREVAP™ project to this stage has been one of the great achievements of the Company. From initial idea to lab tests, to design and build, and now with the successful operational testing of the pilot plant, our efforts to introduce plasma technology to the high-purity silicon industry is yet another example of how we are putting our scientific and engineering expertise to use in solving some of heavy industry’s most pressing issues,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, CEO and Chair of PyroGenesis. “As we have stated before, we firmly believe that the PUREVAP™ process will prove to be a game changer in the production of a metal as strategically important to future energy goals as silicon. We are proud to be on this journey together with HPQ.”
The PUREVAP™ process is an innovative process that will enable the one-step conversion of quartz (SiO2) into high-purity silicon (Si) at reduced costs, energy input and carbon footprint that will propagate its considerable renewable energy potential. As part of the terms of the contract with HPQ, PyroGenesis benefits from a royalty payment representing 10% of the Client’s sales, with set minimums.
About HPQ Silicon
HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ) is a Quebec-based innovative silicon solutions company that offers innovative silica (SiO2), silicon (Si) based solutions and is developing a unique portfolio of high value-added silicon (Si) products sought after by battery and electric vehicle manufacturers.
Silicon (Si), also known as silicon metal, is one of today’s key strategic materials needed for the decarbonization of the economy and the Renewable Energy Revolution (“RER”). However, silicon does not exist in its pure state and must be extracted from quartz (SiO2) in what has historically been a capital and energy-intensive process.