Zentek Subsidiary Albany Graphite Corp. Simplifies Process to Achieve Five Nines Purity
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) announced that its subsidiary, Albany Graphite (AGC), has achieved ultra-high purity of 99.9991% from its Albany graphite deposit using a pilot-scale fluidized bed reactor (FBR). The purification was performed directly on a ~950g sample of Albany flotation concentrate with 85% Total Graphitic Carbon, eliminating the need for intermediate hydrometallurgical steps.
The process yielded extremely low total impurities of 9 ppm against the industry standard maximum of 500 ppm for advanced battery applications. The company will continue testing the material for lithium-ion battery anode components and nuclear industry applications. Notably, this purification was achieved without using chlorine or halogen gases, which are commonly required for achieving five-nines purity levels.
The Albany Graphite Project, located near Hearst, Ontario, consists of 521 mining claims and is situated within 30 km of the Trans-Canada Highway, with access to established infrastructure including roads, rail, power, and natural gas.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) ha annunciato che la sua sussidiaria, Albany Graphite (AGC), ha raggiunto un'ultra alta purezza di 99.9991% dal suo deposito di grafite di Albany utilizzando un reattore a letto fluido (FBR) su scala pilota. La purificazione è stata eseguita direttamente su un campione di circa 950g di concentrazione di galleggiamento di Albany con l'85% di Carbonio Grafitico Totale, eliminando la necessità di passaggi idrometallurgici intermedi.
Il processo ha prodotto impurità totali estremamente basse di 9 ppm, rispetto al massimo standard di 500 ppm per applicazioni avanzate per batterie. L'azienda continuerà a testare il materiale per componenti di anodi di batterie agli ioni di litio e applicazioni nel settore nucleare. È interessante notare che questa purificazione è stata ottenuta senza l'uso di cloro o gas alogenati, che sono comunemente richiesti per raggiungere livelli di purezza di cinque-nove.
Il Progetto Albany Graphite, situato vicino a Hearst, Ontario, consiste in 521 rivendicazioni minerarie ed è posizionato a 30 km dall'Autostrada Transcanadese, con accesso a infrastrutture consolidate tra cui strade, ferrovie, energia e gas naturale.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) anunció que su subsidiaria, Albany Graphite (AGC), ha logrado una pureza ultra alta de 99.9991% de su depósito de grafito en Albany utilizando un reactor de lecho fluidizado (FBR) a escala piloto. La purificación se realizó directamente sobre una muestra de aproximadamente 950 g de concentrado de flotación de Albany con un 85% de Carbono Grafítico Total, eliminando la necesidad de pasos hidrometalúrgicos intermedios.
El proceso resultó en impurezas totales extremadamente bajas de 9 ppm frente al estándar máximo de 500 ppm para aplicaciones avanzadas de baterías. La empresa continuará probando el material para componentes de ánodos de baterías de iones de litio y aplicaciones en la industria nuclear. Cabe destacar que esta purificación se logró sin el uso de cloro o gases halógenos, que comúnmente se requieren para alcanzar niveles de pureza de cinco nueves.
El Proyecto Albany Graphite, ubicado cerca de Hearst, Ontario, consiste en 521 reclamos mineros y está situado a 30 km de la Autopista Transcanadiense, con acceso a infraestructura establecida que incluye carreteras, ferrocarril, energía y gas natural.
젠텍 (NASDAQ:ZTEK)은 그 자회사인 앨버니 그래파이트(AGC)가 파일럿 규모의 유체화 침대 반응기(FBR)를 사용하여 앨버니 그래파이트 매장지에서 99.9991%의 초고순도를 달성했다고 발표했습니다. 이 정제 과정은 85%의 총 그래픽 탄소를 가진 약 950g의 앨버니 플로테이션 농축액 샘플에서 직접 수행되어 중간 수화금속 공정의 필요성을 제거했습니다.
이 과정은 고급 배터리 애플리케이션을 위한 업계 표준 최대치인 500ppm에 비해 총 불순물이 9ppm으로 매우 낮게 나왔습니다. 회사는 리튬 이온 배터리 음극 구성 요소 및 원자력 산업 응용을 위해 이 재료를 계속 테스트할 것입니다. 특히, 이 정제는 다섯 개의 9 수준의 순도를 달성하는 데 일반적으로 필요한 염소나 할로겐 가스를 사용하지 않고 이루어졌습니다.
앨버니 그래파이트 프로젝트는 온타리오주 히어스트 근처에 위치하며, 521개의 광업 청구가 있으며, 전 세계적인 인프라를 포함하여 도로, 철도, 전력 및 천연 가스에 대한 접근이 가능한 트랜스 캐나다 고속도로에서 30km 떨어져 있습니다.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) a annoncé que sa filiale, Albany Graphite (AGC), a atteint une pureté ultra élevée de 99.9991% à partir de son gisement de graphite d'Albany en utilisant un réacteur à lit fluidisé (FBR) à l'échelle pilote. La purification a été réalisée directement sur un échantillon d'environ 950 g de concentré de flottation d'Albany contenant 85 % de Carbone Graphitique Total, éliminant le besoin d'étapes hydrométallurgiques intermédiaires.
Le processus a donné des impuretés totales extrêmement faibles de 9 ppm par rapport à la norme maximale de l'industrie de 500 ppm pour les applications avancées de batteries. L'entreprise continuera à tester le matériau pour des composants d'anodes de batteries lithium-ion et des applications dans l'industrie nucléaire. Notamment, cette purification a été réalisée sans utiliser de chlore ni de gaz halogènes, qui sont généralement nécessaires pour atteindre des niveaux de pureté de cinq neufs.
Le Projet Albany Graphite, situé près de Hearst, en Ontario, comprend 521 titres miniers et se trouve à 30 km de l'Autoroute Transcanadienne, avec accès à une infrastructure établie incluant routes, voies ferrées, électricité et gaz naturel.
Zentek (NASDAQ:ZTEK) gab bekannt, dass seine Tochtergesellschaft, Albany Graphite (AGC), eine ultra hohe Reinheit von 99.9991% aus ihrem Albany-Grafitlager unter Verwendung eines pilotgerechten Wirbelschichtreaktors (FBR) erreicht hat. Die Reinigung wurde direkt an einer Probe von etwa 950g Albany-Flotationskonzentrat mit 85% totalem graphitischem Kohlenstoff durchgeführt, wodurch die Notwendigkeit intermediärer hydrometallurgischer Schritte entfiel.
Der Prozess ergab extrem niedrige Gesamtverunreinigungen von 9 ppm im Vergleich zum industry Standardhöchstwert von 500 ppm für fortschrittliche Batterien. Das Unternehmen wird das Material weiterhin für Komponenten von Lithium-Ionen-Batterieanoden und Anwendungen in der Nuklearindustrie testen. Bemerkenswerterweise wurde diese Reinigung ohne den Einsatz von Chlor oder Halogengasen erreicht, die üblicherweise für die Erreichung von fünf Neunen Reinheitsniveaus erforderlich sind.
Das Albany Graphite Projekt, das sich in der Nähe von Hearst, Ontario befindet, besteht aus 521 Bergbaurechten und liegt 30 km von der Trans-Canada Highway entfernt, mit Zugang zur bestehenden Infrastruktur, einschließlich Straßen, Eisenbahn, Energie und Erdgas.
- Achieved ultra-high purity of 99.9991% using simplified process
- Eliminated need for intermediate hydrometallurgical steps
- Achieved extremely low impurities (9 ppm vs 500 ppm industry standard)
- Strategic location near essential infrastructure
- Project still at exploration stage
- Further testing and optimization required before commercialization
Insights
The achievement of 99.9991% purity using a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) represents a major technological breakthrough in graphite processing. The simplified purification process, eliminating intermediate hydrometallurgical steps, could translate to significant cost advantages and operational efficiencies. The ultra-low impurity level of 9 ppm is particularly noteworthy, far exceeding industry standards of 500 ppm for advanced battery applications.
The ability to achieve five-nines purity without using chlorine or halogen gases is a substantial environmental and safety advantage, potentially reducing regulatory hurdles and operational costs. The successful scaling to pilot-scale operations using a 950g sample demonstrates commercial viability, critical for future mass production.
The implications for the battery market are substantial. Achieving five-nines purity through a simplified process positions Zentek competitively in the growing North American battery supply chain. The ultra-high purity levels make this material suitable for both lithium-ion battery anodes and nuclear applications - two high-value markets with stringent quality requirements.
The strategic location near established infrastructure and the Trans-Canada Highway provides logistical advantages for serving the emerging North American battery manufacturing ecosystem. The elimination of hydrometallurgical steps could significantly reduce production costs, potentially offering a competitive edge against established Asian suppliers.
This development could significantly impact Zentek's market position in the critical minerals sector. With a market cap of
The dual-market potential (batteries and nuclear) provides revenue diversification and reduces market risk. The environmental advantages of the chlorine-free process align with ESG requirements, potentially attracting both customers and investors focused on sustainable technologies.
GUELPH, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 8, 2025 / Zentek Ltd. ("Zentek" or the "Company") (Nasdaq:ZTEK)(TSX-V:ZEN), an intellectual property technology development and commercialization company is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Albany Graphite Corporation (AGC) has achieved a preliminary five-nines purity of
Highlights
Ultra-high purity "five nines" 99.9991 wt.% from a platinum crucible Loss on Ignition (LOI) analysis
Purification was performed utilizing an existing pilot-scale FBR directly on a ~950 g sample of the Albany flotation concentrate (
85% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC)) with no intermediate hydrometallurgical steps
Preliminary proof of concept electrothermal purification testing using an FBR yielded extremely low total impurities concentration of 9 ppm (LOI) against the generally accepted maximum of 500 ppm for most advanced battery applications
Zentek will continue to test the material for suitability as an anode component for lithium-ion batteries and its potential use in nuclear industry applications
The Company will continue to explore both production and processing of graphite to create a battery-ready anode active and cathode conductivity enhancement materials
Thermal Purification Testing - Fixed-Bed Furnace
Following Zentek's July 17, 2024, press release, AGC, in collaboration with its Canadian technology partners, has continued to develop a viable thermal purification process to produce a consistent ultra-high purity graphite material. A second sample of the homogenized bulk flotation concentrate produced by SGS Canada Inc. during the 2017 flotation pilot plant campaign was upgraded from approximately
Thermal Purification Testing - Fluidized Bed Reactor
More recently, Zentek contracted a highly reputable North American manufacturing company specializing in industrial graphite and carbon to explore the direct purification of Albany flotation concentrate (~
Next Steps
The FBR purified material will be characterized and submitted to Eurofins EAG Laboratories for a full 72 element GDMS analysis to determine which impurities are present in the ultra-high purity sample.
The FBR purification process will be optimized for Albany graphite followed by a techno-economic analysis.
The material will continue to be evaluated for its suitability for both the lithium-ion battery and nuclear markets. This will require post processing of thermally purified graphite and its testing in battery cells, and against the specifications of commercially available nuclear industry graphite material.
With significant investment being made in the North American battery supply chain, and growing demand for finished anode material, the Company is exploring the production of a consistent ultra-high purity graphite product from the Albany deposit for the manufacture of a competitive battery-ready anode material.
The CEO of Zentek and Albany Graphite Corporation, Greg Fenton commented: "This is a significant and exciting step in the Albany project development. The purification of the Albany flotation concentrate directly to five-nines purity will simplify the purification flow sheet further by eliminating any intermediate hydrometallurgical upgrading steps."
Mr. Peter Wood, P.Eng., P.Geo., Vice President, Development of AGC, a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release.
Overview of the Albany Graphite Project
The Albany Graphite Project, an igneous-hosted fluid-derived graphite deposit located in Claim Block 4F, comprised of 521 mining claims (461 single-cell claims and 60 boundary-cell claims) is at an advanced exploration stage. The project is located west of the communities of Constance Lake First Nation ("CLFN") and Hearst, Ontario, within 30 km of the Trans-Canada Highway, close to established infrastructure including roads, rail, power transmission lines, and a natural gas pipeline. Project environmental baseline studies were initiated in 2019.
About Zentek Ltd.
Zentek is an ISO 13485:2016 certified intellectual property technology company focused on the research, development and commercialization of novel products seeking to give the Company's commercial partners a competitive advantage by making their products better, safer, and greener.
Zentek's patented technology platform ZenGUARD™ is shown to have enhanced viral filtration efficiency for surgical masks and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. Zentek's ZenGUARD™ production facility is located in Guelph, Ontario
Zentek has a global exclusive license to the Aptamer-based platform technology developed by McMaster University which is being jointly developed Zentek and McMaster for both the diagnostic and therapeutic markets.
For further information:
Ryan Shacklock
Tel: (306) 270-9610
Email: rshacklock@zentek.com
To find out more about Zentek, please visit our website at www.Zentek.com. A copy of this news release and all material documents in respect of the Company may be obtained on Zentek's SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although Zentek believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Zentek disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
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.
SOURCE: Zentek
View the original press release on accesswire.com
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