Hazer Group Ltd (ASX:HZR) has demonstrated a 400% increase in the average production rate of hydrogen and graphite during final test runs on its 1st generation pre-pilot plant (PPP).
The company’s Hazer Process enables the effective conversion of natural gas and similar feedstocks, into hydrogen and high-quality graphite, using iron ore as a process catalyst.
Hazer achieved an average production of nearly a kilogram of graphite in a single run with an equivalent production rate of more than 5.5 kilograms per day of total products, comprising unpurified graphite and hydrogen content.
This represents a >400% increase in production rates initially reported.
Hazer’s acting chief executive officer Mark Edwards said: “From the current small and un-optimised reactor, Hazer engineers have successfully demonstrated the capability and capacity to adapt the process to yield higher graphite or hydrogen purities.
“The next phase of development using the 2nd generation upgrade is to optimise reactor throughput and purity for both products.
“Most importantly safety is a priority, throughout the 1st generation reactor operation and testing, Hazer operators’ developed and followed operating procedures ensuring zero safety incidents, providing confidence in the system engineering and control requirements to ensure zero harm.”
READ: Hazer Group commences pilot plant development with Mineral Resources
Upgrades to the 1st gen PPP are being finalised to increase the system production capacity, improve product purities and to enable the system to operate for extended durations.
Once these tests are completed the core aspects of the process will have been demonstrated.
Following this, a demonstration plant is planned that will include most ancillary plant functions to enable full system integration testing as well as further product and energy optimisation.
Single run graphite produced from the Hazer Process
Edwards added: “The commissioning of the 2nd gen PPP commenced in the 3rd week of June.
“This is an important step to the pathway to commercialisation and our vision to be a leader in the production of low emission hydrogen.”
Progressive testing results of the 2nd gen PPP are expected in the coming months.
