PyroGenesis (PYR.TO) on Tuesday announced the "successful" production of battery-grade carbon black and hydrogen (H2) from a proprietary PyroGenesis plasma torch system.
The company stated that the result was achieved with both a natural gas- and a methane-powered plasma torch as the primary hydrocarbon feedstock, which is then directly converted into carbon black and H2 without the need for a secondary raw material feedstock and additives.
In a statement the company noted that the resulting carbon black met quality levels "well above" battery grade requirements, as determined by an independent testing lab.
"Additionally, with this achievement PyroGenesis is the first company to successfully use hydrocarbon (methane/natural gas) as both the plasma-forming gas and the primary feedstock in a DC plasma torch to produce solid carbon and H2 without any additives," said the company. "The system was designed by PyroGenesis on behalf of its client, a Canadian company exploring alternative use of carbons for commercial applications."
The company said that the "successful" results announced confirm that the PyroGenesis plasma-based process produces carbon black at "exceptionally high grades," meeting key battery-grade levels for ash content, metallic purity, surface area, and tapped density, and methane and natural gas can be used as both plasma gas and feedstock to produce carbon black and clean hydrogen.