Hazer advances pilot plant with MinRes funding
- US Rotary Tube Reactor (RTR) trial produced an average ~1.5 kg/day of unpurified graphite with co-produced hydrogen, the largest Hazer-process output to date.
- RTR test provides an alternative scale-up route to accelerate progress toward a commercial-sized plant.
- Mineral Resources (MinRes) will fund all capital for the pilot, targeting production suitable for high-value uses, including lithium-ion batteries.
- Hazer granted MinRes access to its IP portfolio and will provide technical assistance under a joint development agreement; roadmap includes 100 tpa then 1,000 tpa+ stages.
Pilot trial
In late June the company produced graphite and hydrogen in a US-based Rotary Tube Reactor (RTR), achieving an average production rate of approximately 1.5 kg/day of unpurified graphite with co-produced hydrogen over the testing period. The trial represents the largest production rate recorded for the Hazer Process to date and shows an alternative scale-up option for commercialisation.
Partnership and funding
Early in the month Hazer Group and Mineral Resources (MinRes) commenced joint development of a pilot plant. Under the agreement MinRes will provide all capital required for production intended for high-value applications, including lithium-ion batteries, while Hazer has granted MinRes access to its existing IP portfolio and will supply technical assistance and support.
Commercialisation pathway
The pilot plant is the first stage toward commercialisation, with planned follow-on stages including a 100 tpa stage-commercial plant and a large-scale 1,000 tpa plus commercial facility. The RTR results are being considered as an alternative pathway to accelerate progress toward those commercial stages.
Source: Hazer Group