AGORACOM Small-cap Investor Relations Blog

• Announced that a new provisional patent application covering a critical part of the PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR) process has been filed
• This is the second distinct patent filing for HPQ and PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR) since the 2015 commencement of the Company’s quest to improve the global economics and supply concerns of the Silicon (Si) market.

MONTREAL, Sept. 04, 2019 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. - TSX-V: HPQ; OTCPink: URAGF; FWB: UGE (“HPQ” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that a new provisional patent application covering a critical part of the PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR) process has been filed. This is the second distinct patent filing for HPQ and PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (TSX-V: PYR) since the 2015 commencement of the Company’s quest to improve the global economics and supply concerns of the Silicon (Si) market.

The first patent filing is currently pending and covers the entire novel PUREVAP™ QRR process usage of a plasma arc within a vacuum furnace for the one step production of Silicon (Si) from Quartz (SiO2). This new provisional filing is focused on a new and novel process for continuous operations of the plasma arc furnace under vacuum.

“Our approach to protecting and strengthening the PUREVAP™ Intellectual Property Portfolio combines both Patents Protection and Trade Secrets,” said Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. “The filing of this new provisional patent is another step forward in securing and protecting value for stakeholders. HPQ PUREVAP™ QRR is ready to solve the real world challenges facing Silicon markets today, completely revolutionize the Silicon industry and prepares us for commercialization which will in turn create tremendous value for HPQ shareholders.”

While PyroGenesis filed the new provisional patent application, it is covered by the HPQ 2016 acquisition of the Intellectual Property rights to the PUREVAP™ QRR as it relates to the production of Silicon (Si) from Quartz (SiO2), and can therefore be transferred to HPQ at anytime. As part of the agreement, PyroGenesis retains a royalty-free, exclusive irrevocable worldwide license to use the process for purposes other than the production of Silicon (Si) from Quartz (SiO2). However, if PyroGenesis develops any other such application, HPQ does have a right of first refusal in the event of any sale or otherwise disposal.

“The new provisional patent application represents another significant milestone in our long term relationship with HPQ Silicon, and underscores our belief that what we are doing is truly unique as well as demonstrating our confidence in the ultimate commercial viability of the PUREVAPTM project,” said P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “At PyroGenesis we have developed an approach to protecting Intellectual Property, and we have the patent portfolio to prove it. We only engage in patent applications where we feel (i) that we will prevail with an award and (ii) that there is commercial application to protect.” 

About Silicon

Silicon (Si) is one of today’s strategic materials needed to fulfil the renewable energy revolution presently under way. Silicon does not exist in its pure state; it must be extracted from quartz, one of the most abundant minerals of the earth’s crust and other expensive raw materials in a carbothermic process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed company developing, in collaboration with industry leader PyroGenesis (TSX-V: PYR) the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors” (QRR), a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into Metallurgical Grade Silicon (Mg-Si) at prices that will propagate its significant renewable energy potential.

HPQ is also working with industry leader Apollon Solar to develop a metallurgical pathway of producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR one-step production of high purity silicon (Si) and significantly reduce the Capex and Opex associated with the transformation of quartz (SiO2) into SoG-Si.

HPQ focus is becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon (Si), High Purity Silicon (Si) and Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG-Si). The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule to start in 2019.

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. 

Disclaimers:

The Corporation’s interest in developing the PUREVAP™ QRR and any projected capital or operating cost savings associated with its development should not be construed as being related to the establishing the economic viability or technical feasibility of the Company’s Roncevaux Quartz Project, Matapedia Area, in the Gaspe Region, Province of Quebec.

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.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
http://www.hpqsilicon.com Email: [email protected]

SPONSOR: HPQ-Silicon Resources HPQ: TSX-V aiming to become the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal and a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal producer. Click here for more info.

The Global Energy Map Is Changing Faster Than You Think

YANGZHOU, CHINA – JUNE 24: Aerial view of fishermen catching crayfish next to photovoltaic solar panels at a fishery-solar hybrid photovoltaic power station on June 24, 2019 in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province of China. (Photo by Meng Delong/VCG)

Enrique Dans Contributor

• A $20 billion investment aims to supply electricity to Singapore from what will be, for the time being, the world’s largest solar farm: Sun Cable.
• Located in Australia and linked by a 3,800-kilometer submarine cable, its magnificent 15,000 hectares of solar panels will provide about 10 gigawatts, enough to cover a fifth of the country’s energy needs and replace its combined-cycle power stations, with enough batteries to ensure uninterrupted supply.

An even bigger project, the Asian Renewable Energy Hub, plans to create a hybrid solar and wind farm linked to a hydrogen energy storage plant in Pilbara, a sparsely populated region in Western Australia. The idea is to change Australia’s place within the global energy map and to transition from exporting mainly coal and natural gas to being a leader in clean energy. It is estimated that filling the Sahara desert with windmills and solar panels could generate enough electricity to supply the energy needs of the entire world. In the United States, solar is already the most important source of energy, ahead of gas or wind, despite the tariffs imposed by its ignorant president on imported solar panels.

Meanwhile, Morocco’s Noor-Ouarzazate facility, along with others in India, China, Mexico, the United States or the United Arab Emirates, will fill vast tracts of land and even the sea, with solar panels, completely changing the global energy map, with the concomitant geopolitical consequences.

Renewable energy is already the cheapest and most logical way to produce energy without the need for subsidies. By introducing hydroelectric and geothermal energy into the equation, in addition to solar and wind energy, Costa Rica has already managed to go for 300 days in a row without burning fossil fuels to generate electricity. Portugal has managed four days with only renewable energy, the UK, a thousand hours without burning coal, while US states like Colorado are staggered at the cost competitiveness of renewables, even adding a diverse range of storage infrastructure. Within renewable energies, solar stands out for its increasingly lower costs. The goal of generating 100% of the world’s energy from renewable processes is becoming more feasible and cheaper every day.

More and more industries will depend on the ability of countries to manufacture or supply solar panels and batteries. Solar energy is already the logical choice: in countries as different as the United States or Germany, home installations of solar panels and batteries are the hot new investment opportunities as more facilities are created to interconnect through so-called microgrids. To all intents and purposes, energy is the new internet and, as Elon Musk properly predicted, energy storage becomes the most strategic technology.

All the studies agree that not only that we must stop building and operating fossil fuel power plants, but that we have already built too many and that the fuel needed to supply them will now remain under the ground. The need to make this transition is becoming more urgent every day. Germany has already announced the closure of all its 84 coal-powered plants and India has canceled plans to build any more due to the plummeting cost of solar energy: with every day that passes, action in this regard is more important and more strategic. Only countries that act in time and update their generation policies can hope to win a place on the new global energy map.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2019/07/16/the-global-energy-map-is-changing-faster-than-youthink/#2f33b46824f1

SPONSOR: HPQ-Silicon Resources HPQ: TSX-V aiming to become the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal and a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal producer. Click here for more info.

Why Your Phone Battery Still Dies Quickly

Nicole Martin Contributor

• “One promising solution that scientists are working on is silicon anode batteries. These batteries are made of tiny silicon particles that offer an increase in capacity and higher energy than the lithium batteries.”

It is known by anyone who owns a phone, that no matter how great the technology and updates, the battery life is always terrible. For anyone who uses their phone regularly, most smartphones rarely make it through a full day without needing a quick charge. So, with all the advancements in technology, it has many wondering why there haven’t been any improvements in battery life for mobile devices.

Here is why your battery still doesn’t last.

The reason for the terrible battery lifespan is due to the advancements in the technology in the phones. When cellphones, like the original Nokia phone, were first introduced to the market, the battery life was much better than it is now. That is because those phones did not have as much capability as the phones now. Batteries did not have to run multiple apps and features that take up a lot of energy throughout the day.

The batteries in smartphones are made of lithium cobalt, the same that was used in the original cellphones from the early 90s. However, as cellphones get slimmer there is no way to run all of what they need to with no room to increase the size of the battery. Researchers over the past few years have tried to decrease other internal components to increase the size of the battery, however, this caused phones to misfunction and they are still trying to find solutions to the problem with new designs and materials. 

Lithium batteries also diminish over time with each charge cycle. According to Apple, “Apple lithium-ion batteries work in charge cycles. You complete one charge cycle when you’ve used (discharged) an amount that equals 100% of your battery’s capacity — but not necessarily all from one charge. For instance, you might use 75% of your battery’s capacity one day, then recharge it fully overnight. If you use 25% the next day, you will have discharged a total of 100%, and the two days will add up to one charge cycle.”

One promising solution that scientists are working on is silicon anode batteries. These batteries are made of tiny silicon particles that offer an increase in capacity and higher energy than the lithium batteries.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has partnered with four other national labs to form the Silicon Anode Consortium, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office and dedicated to “understanding and eliminating barriers to implementing silicon-based anodes in Li-ion cells.

While researchers are constantly working on new battery solutions, engineers are always advancing the technology and capabilities of our smartphones and it could be hard to keep up when they find a solution for an energy source, more technology is added that requires even more energy.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolemartin1/2019/07/16/why-your-phone-battery-still-dies-quickly/#cd9ba443fe77 

• PyroGenesis calculates the maximum scaled up size of a single PUREVAP™QRR would allow the production of 2,500 metric tonnes of Silicon Metal per year. 
• Total capacity of any PUREVAP™ QRR plant is therefore scalable by increments of 2,500 MT per year, making the PUREVAP™QRR process the most versatile and adaptable process to produce Silicon Metal

MONTREAL, July 11, 2019 — HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. – (www.HPQSilicon.com) (TSX-V: HPQ), (OTCPink: URAGF), (FWB: UGE) is pleased to present the salient points of an updated budgetary estimate regarding the significant cost advantages of building a commercial scale PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor (QRR), versus conventional processes to produce Silicon Metal (Si). The budgetary estimates were prepared by PyroGenesis Canada Inc (“PyroGenesis”) (TSX-V: PYR), using the data generated during our Gen1, Gen2 testing and Gen3 design & build phases.

PUREVAP™ THE SCALABLE, VERSATILE, & ADAPTABLE PROCESS THAT WILL CHANGE Si PRODUCTION

PyroGenesis calculates the maximum scaled up size of a single PUREVAP™QRR would allow the production of 2,500 metric tonnes (“MT”) of Silicon Metal per year.  The total capacity of any PUREVAP™ QRR plant is therefore scalable by increments of 2,500 MT per year, making the PUREVAP™QRR process the most versatile and adaptable process to produce Silicon Metal (Si). This conclusion stems from the data of the two most recently built plants (“Greenfield”) to produce Metallurgical Grade Si (Mg Si), where conventional smelter processes require a minimum scale capacity of ~ 30,000 MT of Mg Si per year to be viable.

HPQ PUREVAP™ QRR TO REDUCE CAPEX COST PER KG OF ANNUAL CAPACITY BY UP TO 51%

Comparing the capacity and cost per Kg of annual capacity for a PUREVAP™ QRR plant versus the same data from the two most recent Greenfield plants, which were built using conventional processes to produce Mg Si, the scale of the PUREVAP™ QRR competitive cost advantages become very apparent.

1. HPQ commercial scale up plans call for the commissioning of a first 2,500 metric tonnes per annum (“MTA”) PUREVAP™ QRR and, once demand requires, a second 2,500 MTA PUREVAP™ QRR, would be added to the plant. Pyrogenesis budgetary estimates for the first 2,500 MTA PUREVAP™ QRR indicate a cost per Kg of annual capacity of approximately US$ 8.89. Thereafter, simply increasing annual capacity to 5,000 MTA, with the addition of a second 2,500 MTA PUREVAP™ QRR, significantly reduces the cost per Kg of annual capacity down to only US$ 6.22.
   
   
2. PCC BakkiSilicon hf is a new entrant that signed a turnkey contract for its Greenfield plant commissioned in 2018 in Húsavík (Iceland).  The plant set up is the standard two furnaces layout and cost over US$ 300 Million to build. With an annual capacity of 32,000 MTA of Mg Si, this project has a cost per Kg of annual capacity of US$ 9.38.  (51% higher than PUREVAP™)1
   
   
3. Mississippi Silicon, a subsidiary of a large Brazilian tier 1 producer (Rima Industrial S/A), which has in house expertise in building new Greenfield plants, built a new plant that was commissioned in 2015 in Burnsville, Mississippi (USA).  The plant uses the standard two furnaces layout and cost over US$ 220 Million to build. With an annual capacity of 36,000 MT of Mg Si, this project has a cost per Kg of annual capacity of US$ 6.11.2 A PUREVAP™ QRR can match the cost per Kg of capacity of a tier 1 producer Greenfield plant at a fraction of the investment required (85% less).

“According to an engineering and consultant firm specialized in building Greenfield Silicon Metal plants, the three critical elements for success are: 1) Access to cheap power; 2) Carbon Sourcing Management; and 3) Control over Capex of new plants.  Being a Quebec based Company; access to cheap, clean and reliable power is not an issue. Regarding Carbon Sourcing Management and Capex Control, our results to date demonstrate that we are definitely moving in the right direction. With the Gen3 phase start just around the corner, we are getting closer to the time when market participants will have no choice but to take notice that we are the only viable low Capex and Opex alternative to producing Silicon Metal, the energy metal of the future” stated Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.

PUREVAP™ QRR SCALE, LOW OPEX AND CAPEX INDICATE STRONG ECONOMIC VIABILITY

In the June 17, 2019 releases the Company indicated that PUREVAP™ QRR efficiency could generate a 20% reduction in the cost of making 99+ % metallurgical grade silicon metal (“2N Mg Si”) Si versus conventional processes. Today, the budgetary estimates provided by PyroGenesis indicates that the minimum capital investment needed by HPQ to become a Silicon Metal producer is 90% smaller than what Mississippi Silicon invested and 93% less than what PCC BakkiSilicon hf invested. The combination of HPQ PUREVAP™ QRR Opex, Capex and Scalability advantages is what makes the process so competitive in the Silicon Metal space.

The Gen3 pilot plant testing, that is set to commence soon, aims to validate these hypotheses of future commercial production economic viability.

PUREVAP™ QRR IMPURITY REMOVAL CAPABILITY ALLOW HPQ TO TARGET HIGH VALUE MARKETS

Gen2 testing demonstrated that the PUREVAP™ QRR process could reach greater than 99% selective impurity removal efficiency, meaning that, working only with operational parameters, unwanted impurities can be volatized from the final silicon phase, in the reactor.

Upcoming Gen3 pilot plant testing will validate the PUREVAP™ QRR one step selective impurity removal efficiency and demonstrate that operational parameters control will allow HPQ to adapt the final purity of the Silicon Metal (Si) tapped out from its commercial reactors and produce Si chunks of either:

• The 99.99+% Si purity required for niche market applications or feedstock for our metallurgical route to produce Solar Grade Silicon (SoG-Si UMG);
• The 99.5% Si purity required by end buyers in the Silicones, Polysilicon for Photovoltaic or Batteries sectors, and
• The 98.5% Si purity required by end buyers in the aluminium sector

PUREVAP™ QRR ELIMINATES NEED FOR POST METAL REFINING

Until now, only the standard two-step commercial process to produce metallurgical grade silicon metal (“Mg Si”) existed. Under this pathway, raw materials (SiO2 and Reductant) are fed into giant submerged arc furnaces, where the carbothermic reaction occurs, then the molten silicon is tapped into a ladle were the oxidation and slag refining step is done. Without the final slag-refining step, conventional smelters are not able to produce Mg Si (98.5 -99.5% Si).

The PUREVAP™ QRR process ONE STEP selective impurity removal efficiency eliminates the need for the tapped liquid metal exiting the reactor to go through an oxidation and slag-refining step, which is another reason why PUREVAP™ Capex and Opex are going to be significantly lower than conventional processes of making Silicon Metal.

Pierre Carabin, Eng., M. Eng., Chief Technology Officer and Chief Strategist of PyroGenesis has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press 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. 

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. is a TSX-V listed resource company focuses on becoming the lowest cost producer of Silicon Metal and a vertically integrated and diversified High Purity, Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) producer and a manufacturer of multi and monocrystalline solar cells of the P and N types, required for production of high performance photovoltaic conversion.

HPQ’s goal is to develop, in collaboration with industry leader PyroGenesis (TSX-V: PYR) the innovative PUREVAPTM “Quartz Reduction Reactors (QRR)”, a truly 2.0 Carbothermic process (patent pending), which will permit the transformation and purification of quartz (SiO2) into Metallurgical Grade Silicon Metal (Mg Si) at prices that will propagate it clean energy potential.

HPQ’s goal, working with industry leader Apollon Solar, is also to develop a metallurgical approach to producing Solar Grade Silicon Metal (SoG Si) that will take full advantage of the PUREVAPTM QRR production of high purity silicon metal (Si) in one step and reduce by a factor of at least two-thirds (2/3) the costs associated with the transformation of quartz (SiO2) into SoG Si. The pilot plant equipment that will validate the commercial potential of the process is on schedule to start in 2019. 

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.

For further information contact
Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman, President and CEO Tel (514) 907-1011
Patrick Levasseur, Vice-President and COO Tel: (514) 262-9239
www.HPQSilicon.com