PyroGenesis announces successful operational testing of the PUREVAP™ QRR Pilot Plant for HPQ Silicon Inc.
by CM Staff
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.
Picture of PyroGenesis’ Gen3 PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR) pilot plant
MONTREAL — PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a high-tech company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and address environmental pollutants, confirms that it has successfully completed the high-temperature operational testing phase of the Gen3 PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR) pilot plant.
The GEN3 PUREVAP™ QRR pilot plant 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. The Company announces 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.”
