HPQ Silicon Resources Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary HPQ Nano Silicon Powders Inc., updated shareholders on advancements of the Purevap nano silicon reactor (NSiR) development project led by technology provider PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX:PYR)
As expected with ground-breaking research and development projects, the PyroGenesis engineering team continues to resolve design and process issues encountered during Phase 1 of the Purevap NSiR development program.
As testing progressed during the second half of 2021, the challenge for the team became eliminating oxygen from the final product of nano-silicon material. The oxygen was affecting the ability to produce qualified samples.
READ: PyroGenesis and HPQ Nano to add carbon coating to spherical nano silicon powders
Systematic analysis of the process performed by the PyroGenesis technical team indicated that the internal sources of oxygen contamination were directly linked to the heat resistant liner material used in the Gen1 Purevap NSiR, a modified Gen2 Purevap Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR), originally designed for the carboreduction of quartz into Silicon (Si). The GEN 1 Purevap NSIR needed to be re-designed and rebuilt to eliminate the internal sources of the contamination.
The modified Gen1.5 Purevap NSiR system was re-designed and built in the third quarter of 2021 and commissioned in 4Q 2021. Preliminary results obtained with material produced during commissioning tests completed in December are very promising. Once final adjustments are completed, expected in January, the system will be ready to produce new samples for third-party evaluation.
"Notwithstanding some unexpected delays, we couldn't be prouder of where we are in developing this game changing technology with strategic partners like HPQ", said P. Peter Pascali, CEO of PyroGenesis, in a statement.
"The fact that we are getting closer to meeting a significant challenge in the development of lithium-ion batteries for the electric vehicle market not only proves that we are on the right track and with the right partner, but also validates our commitment as an emerging leader in providing CO2 reduction solutions."
Another key takeaway from the efforts by the Pyrogenesis team is that it confirms the advantage of HPQ's ability to produce internally sourced feedstock material produced by its proprietary Purevap QRR process.
By controlling the entire chain from raw material, the company can modify the entire process and adapt the feed material required for the NiSR production to meet end-market requirements.
Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham