HPQ Silicon Inc. (“HPQ” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: HPQ)
(OTCQX: HPQFF) (FRA: O08), an innovative silicon
solutions and technology development company, would like to inform
shareholders that technology provider PyroGenesis Canada Inc.
(TSX: PYR) (NASDAQ: PYR) (FRA: 8PY), has informed
HPQ that the GEN3 PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR)
dynamic test was successful and that the pilot plant is now ready
to process material.
GEN3 QRR
TESTING VALIDATES DESIGN PERFORMANCE AND
SCALABILITY The high-temperature dynamic blank test
confirmed that the GEN3 PUREVAP™ QRR Pilot (the “Pilot Plant”)
can operate, as expected, within important design parameters; over
a long period of time.
This is a major milestone for this
first-of-its-kind, state-of-the-art pilot plant prototype, and the
team at Pyrogenesis also achieved the largest single scaling up of
the QRR required before moving to commercial production. The GEN3
Pilot Plant will produce approximately 2,500 times more product
than GEN2. This major breakthrough increases the expectation that
the next step of commercial scalability will be successful.
HPQ, with development partner Pyrogenesis, is
closer than ever to confirming the innovative approach to making
high Purity Silicon using the QRR process will be a commercial
success.
GEN3 QRR TESTING ALSO
ACHIEVES SEVERAL MAJOR ENGINEERING MILESTONESDuring the
72-hour dynamic blank test, all the key steps required to make
Silicon were tested. The system not only validated its ability to
operate under vacuum at a high temperature for the required time,
but it also demonstrated the capability to maintain an inert state
in the Pilot Plant furnace at even higher temperatures for the
duration of the test.
The Pilot Plant design incorporates ideas and
concepts first described in the provisional PUREVAP™ QRR patent
applications filed in 2021 (Sept. 4, 2021, release) covering a new
and novel process for continuous operations of a plasma arc furnace
under vacuum.
“Reaching a vacuum, at high temperatures in the
reactor and then maintaining it at an inert state at even higher
temperatures; over multiple days was a complex undertaking," said
Mr. Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc. “There
is no other way to say it; the results obtained during the 72-hour
dynamic blank test are major engineering milestone and
accomplishment for the PyroGenesis team.”
“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 HIGH TEMPERATURE DYNAMIC BLANK TEST,
THE FINAL REHEARSAL BEFORE MAKING SILICONBefore starting
the high-temperature blank test, charcoal was loaded in the reactor
to protect components in direct contact with the plasma arc.
Furthermore, to shield the lining of the furnace from oxidation,
(combustion of the charcoal), the system had to maintain an inert
state during the duration of the test. Having any oxygen in the
furnace would have combusted the charcoal and caused damage to the
reactor.
Image 1 (L) below shows the intensity of the
plasma arc (> ,000 C) while image 1 (R) show the bottom of the
furnace after the test still filled with un-combusted charcoal.
Image 1 is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1094f02-731e-4c9f-9513-38aa0b0a8373
PILOT PLANT READY TO PROCESS
MATERIALThe next step in the process improvement tests and
beyond include introducing a mixture of quartz (SiO2) and reductant
into QRR, as image 2 below demonstrates. The 72-hour test
demonstrated that the system could operate under vacuum at a high
temperature and then to maintain an inert state in the reactor,
also that we are able to produce the key production parameters of
Silicon. As a result, we are now ready to initiate the production
of silicon by carbothermic reduction of quartz.
Image 2 is available
at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf8a3645-ced1-4c02-a7ec-abf87809c30c
About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.
PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company, is a leader in the
design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced
plasma processes and sustainable solutions which reduce greenhouse
gases (GHG) and are economically attractive alternatives to
conventional “dirty” processes. PyroGenesis has created
proprietary, patented, and advanced plasma technologies that are
being vetted and adopted by multiple multibillion dollar industry
leaders in three massive markets: iron ore pelletization, aluminum,
waste management, and additive manufacturing. With a team of
experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of
its Montreal office, and its 3,800 m2 and 2,940 m2 R&D and
manufacturing facilities, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive
advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development
and commercialization. The operations are ISO 9001:2015 and
AS9100D certified, having been ISO certified since 1997. For more
information, please visit: www.pyrogenesis.com
About HPQ Silicon HPQ Silicon
Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ), is a Quebec-based innovative silicon
solutions company that offers silica (SiO2) and 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, among other industries. On July 21, 2022, HPQ
started trading as a Tier 1 Industrial Issuer on the TSX Venture
Exchange.
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.
HPQ is the only company bringing to market a new
process for manufacturing Silicon that is perfectly suited to the
new demands and realities of today’s Silicon market. With ESG
principles playing an active role in materials sourcing and with
recent geopolitical unrest emphasizing the need for stable trade
partners and supply security, global corporations are becoming more
aware of the difficulties in securing the ESG-compliant Silicon
needed to meet their renewable energy agenda.
The reality of chronic underinvestment in new
technologies combined with the offshoring of Silicon production
capacity, is creating massive opportunities for HPQ and the
processes it is developing with PyroGenesis Canada
Inc.(TSX: PYR) (NASDAQ: PYR):
-
the PUREVAP™ “Quartz Reduction
Reactors” (QRR), an innovative process (patent granted in
the United States and pending in other jurisdictions), which will
permit the one-step transformation of quartz (SiO2) into high
purity silicon (Si) at reduced costs, energy input, and carbon
footprint that will propagate its considerable renewable energy
potential.
-
Through its 100% owned subsidiary, HPQ NANO Silicon Powders Inc.,
the PUREVAP™ Nano Silicon Reactor
(NSiR) is a new proprietary process that
can use material produced by the QRR as feedstock, to make a wide
range of nano/micro spherical powders and nanowires of different
sizes.
-
Through its second 100% owned subsidiary, HPQ Silica POLVERE Inc.,
HPQ is developing a new plasma-based process that allows a direct
Quartz to Fumed silica transformation, removing the usage of
hazardous chemicals in the making of Fumed silica and eliminating
the Hydrogen Chloride Gas (HCI) associated with its
manufacturing.
HPQ is also a technology development company
interested in developing hydrogen-based ventures, that could be
complementary to the QRR efforts. Currently, HPQ is working with
Novacium developing processes for making hydrogen via hydrolysis of
silicon and other materials.
For more information, please visit HPQ Silicon
web site.
Disclaimers:
This press release contains certain
forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate",
"continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and
other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current
expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our
expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the
market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the
capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to
research and development, the impact of competitive products and
pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the
regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current
views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject
to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from
time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with the security’s
regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at
www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ
materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements either as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This News Release is available on the
company's CEO Verified Discussion Forum, a moderated social
media platform that enables civilized discussion and Q&A
between Management and Shareholders.
Source: HPQ Silicon
Inc.For further information contact:Bernard J.
Tourillon, Chairman, President, and CEO Tel +1 (514)
907-1011Patrick Levasseur, Special Advisor to the CEO Tel: +1 (514)
262-9239Email: Info@hpqsilicon.com
PyroGenesis Canada (TSX:PYR)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Feb 2024 bis Mär 2024
PyroGenesis Canada (TSX:PYR)
Historical Stock Chart
Von Mär 2023 bis Mär 2024