MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- InvestorsHub NewsWire -- Sept. 19,
2017) - HPQ Silicon Resources
Inc ("HPQ") (TSX
VENTURE:HPQ)(FRANKFURT:UGE)(OTC
PINK:URAGF) is pleased to advise shareholders that an advanced,
second stage bench testing program is about to commence.
PyroGenesis Canada Inc (PyroGenesis) has informed HPQ that
the Gen 2 PUREVAPtm Quartz
Reduction Reactor ("QRR") reactor, 1/250 scale model of
the planned 200 tonnes per annum (tpa) Pilot Plant will be
operational in the coming weeks.
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and CEO of HPQ Silicon
stated, "The design and construction of the Gen 2
PUREVAPtm QRR
is another exciting step toward commercialization and is a result
of the collaborative efforts of PyroGenesis and HPQ. Building on
our success to date the Gen 2 PUREVAPtm QRR
will allow for further refinements to the silicon purification and
testing of the numerous process improvements now planned for the
Pilot Plant. This will greatly de-risk our project and provide
valuable information sooner as we continue to make the process
adjustments needed to produce Solar Grade Silicon Metal."
GEN
1 PUREVAPtm QRR
REACTOR: SUCCESSFUL AND NOW BEING
RETIRED
The first generation batch lab
scale PUREVAPtm QRR
(now referred to as Gen 1 PUREVAPtm) was
built to prove the concept that quartz could be
transformed in one step into Silicon
Metal (Si), for the solar panel industry. A series of
tests using the Gen 1 PUREVAPtm were
ordered (September 2, 2016 PR) to generate key technical data
required for the design of the 200 tpa pilot plant capable of
producing Solar Grade Si(SoG Si).
The Gen 1 PUREVAPtm process
succeeded, demonstrating significant impurity removal, in one step,
transforming low purity SiO2(Quartz) into 3N+
Purity Si (99.97% Si) (May 16, 2017 PR, January 26, 2017 PR,
November 29, 2016 PR, November 2, 2016 PR and September 29, 2016
PR). This product exceeds the highest purity level of the
Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal (Mg Si) industry, a US$5.5
billion dollar per year industry1.
Our next key milestone is to produce quantities of solar grade
silicon for testing of its electrical characteristics, sending
material to industry participants and finalize Pilot plant design
en route to commercialization. CEO Bernard Tourillon
commented, "Our Gen 1 PUREVAPtm was
a great success and we believe the reactor will eventually make its
way to a science and engineering hall of fame. It has currently
reached its maximum operational efficiencies and nothing more could
be gained by additional tests."
GEN
2 PUREVAPtm QRR
REACTOR PRESENTS MAJOR DE-RISKING
MILESTONES
The Gen 2 Purevap™ QRR will focus on Process Refinement,
Characterization, Metallurgical Testing and purity improvements
using the new semi-continuous feed 1/250 scale pilot-plant (May 4,
2017, PR).
Based on Gen 1 PUREVAPtm results,
PyroGenesis completed the detailed engineering and design of the
200 tpa pilot plant, including substantial process modifications.
Gen 2 PUREVAPtm therefore
is an upgraded version of the Gen
1 Purevaptm that
will be a true 1/250 scale replica of the planned larger pilot
plant (Gen 3 PUREVAPtm). The Gen
2 PUREVAPtm is
undergoing final manufacturing, assembly and testing and will be
operational during the first weeks of October 2017.
The start of this new metallurgical testing program using
The Gen 2 PUREVAPtm represents
major de-risking of the Pilot Plant program for the following
reasons:
- Gen 2 will allow specific process design improvements and
modifications derived from Gen
1 PUREVAPtm test
work to be implemented and perfected;
- The Gen 2 produces larger silicon Metal (Si)
samples to test improvements to the purification
process;
- Gen 2 allows an intermediate step in scaling up to the Pilot
Plant, mitigating that scaling up risk;
- Gen 2 will allow the following Milestones to be reached sooner
than originally planned;
- Producing larger Si samples for testing by potential
purchasers;
- Allows HPQ and Pyrogenesis to test the electrical parameters of
the High Purity Si;
- Produce enough material to send samples to Solar industry
participants;
- Provide data to demonstrate the economics of PUREVAP™
QRR.
PYROGENESIS CEO REMARKS
"We are pleased to join HPQ in announcing both reaching this
new milestone and commencing the second stage testing
program," said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of
PyroGenesis. "I also wish to commend the team, both at
PyroGenesis and HPQ, for having persevered through the many
challenges to date and for all the discoveries they made along the
way (the ability to transform low purity Quartz into 3N+ Silicon
Metal in one step at lab scale not being the least of them). As we
have said in the past, it will not be a straight line to success,
but given the results to date we are more confident then ever
before that we will have a commercial success. What level of
success, is yet to be determined. As in all projects, delays will
occur, but I firmly believe we are on the right track to have a
significant impact in the high purity silicon and solar
markets."
UPDATE ON SILICON METAL PURITY TESTING
Further to our June 23, 2017 press release, the company
continued to work with PyroGenesis and a number of specialized
laboratories on silicon analysis protocols. Specifically, efforts
focus on analytical procedures, certification, and analysis turn
around time. We are working with our partners to resolve the
analytical bottlenecks.
Results will be reported in a comprehensive report on the proof
of concept and phase one process characterization and metallurgical
testing programs, being prepared by PyroGenesis.
This Press 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.
About HPQ Silicon
HPQ Silicon Resources Inc is a TSX-V listed
resource company planning to become a vertically integrated and
diversified Metallurgical Grade and Solar Grade Silicon Metal
producer.
Our business model is focused on developing a disruptive one
step High Purity and Solar Grade Silicon Metal manufacturing
process (patent pending). HPQ plans to generate high yield returns
and significant free cash flow within a relatively short time line.
The process will have a greatly decreased carbon footprint, energy
footprint, and will eliminate the use of the toxic chemical
reagents and by products now in use by the current solar silicon
production technologies, which fundamentally date from designs made
in the mid 1900's.
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 on-going filings with the securities 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.
Shares outstanding: 170,003,173