novx21 brings its technological solution to the recycling industry pgm platinum group metals...
TRANSCRIPT
InnovativeProcessesCreatingNew Resources
NovX21’s mission is to develop new technological solutions
for a greener future, ushering in a new era in metal recovery
and urban mining.
NovX21 operates a prototype industrial plant for the recovery of six elements of the platinum group metals (platinum, palladium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium and rhodium, “PGM”) as well as gold and silver. The plant is located in St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, near Quebec City, Canada.
The NovX21 innovative process is economically
feasible at a commercial scale using four or more
reactors of 50 tonnes each.
NovX21 is building a first 200-tonne-per-year commercial plant in 2014 and aims to implement more plants with partners, in the U.S., in Europe and globally.
Mission
We are changing the way we think about metal recovery
We are changing the way we think about metal recoveryI am pleased to introduce the NovX21 technology to recover PGMs to the world. Our proprie-tary processing chambers (or reactors) treat crushed catalytic converter substrates with a proprietary/patented mix of additives and chlorine gas at low temperatures. The PGM from the catalytic converter substrates form PGM salts that are dissolved into a mild buffered solution of hydrochloric acid. The solution is then saturated, filtered and passed through ion-exchange columns that trap the PGMs. The columns are then further treated to recover the PGMs as a metallic mix which is sent to a refiner.
Currently, our final product is a concentrate of a fine, 35-μmeter metal powder containing no glass or carbon. Given that a major advantage of our technology is that the metals are dissolved in a normal temperature and pressure solution, we aim to further develop our process to achieve metal elution in a liquid phase. We would then produce chlorinated mo-lecules to be used directly for the manufacturing of new catalysts.
Our R&D program will also aim to develop the process to recycle materials other than catalysts, including e-waste such as flat screens with PGM-coated surfaces. As our dry chlo-rination process operates at low temperature, the glass would not melt before the PGM are converted to salts. We have already conducted tests to recover recycled material containing iridium resistant to temperatures up to 2,410° C, used by the electronics industry.
In the longer term, we aim to extract precious metals, including PGM and gold, direct-ly from mined ore. A commercial demonstration plant would be built with a processing unit capacity of one tonne per hour, per reactor. This capacity would allow large volumes of ore to be processed. A feature of our platform technology is that the PGM can be phy-sically separated from the waste without altering the waste material, which can then be returned to the mine site for storage without further treatment. This low-cost, mobile green technology could help make small and large mines more profitable.
In the 21st century, we are changing the way we think about metal recovery and the protection of the environment.
Sylvain Boulanger, P. Eng.President and CEO of NovX21
Conv
entio
nal
PGM
re
cove
ry
by sm
eltin
g
Highly corrosive due to the acid and high temperatures used
Average recoveries greater than 97%, rhodium requires further processing
Energy intensive (high-temperature smelting)
Coal used as a source of power, causing pollution
Large feedstock inventory
Long process cycle with multiple steps (up to 8 months)
CORROSION
YIELD
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
SOURCES OF ENERGY
INVENTORY TURNOVER
LENGTH OF PROCESS
Nov
X21
’s
PGM
pr
oces
s
Adv
anta
ges
Much longer equipment life, non-toxic for people and the environment
NovX21 recovers PGM quickly at a low infrastructure cost, regardless of precious group element Obtains the same result with low energy consumption
Environmentally-friendly process, by-products are neutralized
Small inventory needed leading to low inventory cost
Inventories to be rotated 8 to 12 times per year
Closed circuit process, low acid concentration (reusable/recyclable), no corrosion
Average recoveries above 97% for all PGM – currently making modifications to capture remaining 3% Low reactor temperature to convert metals into salts
Low emissions of CO2 gas and water vapour from resin combustion
Each 50-tonne reactor processes 1 tonne per week
8 weeks
NovX21 contracted the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) to develop a PGM recovery process and a chromite enrichment process in 2005.
Many trade secrets have been put into practice at the St-Augustin plant since 2011, and a mass balance study was conducted in 2012 by inde-pendent CIR Laboratory.
The detailed engineering plan and construction of a 200-tonne-per-year used catalyst treatment plant is in preparation by the independent en-gineering group Seneca.
Experts behind our innovative process
“New production of PGMs is critical to the maintenance of clean air and to the industry. Thus, the NovX21 non-smelter PGM collection process using chlorination is just in time. The NovX21 process is superior in cost, safety and health to the existing smelter-based PGM collection process.”
JACK LIFTON, AN EXPERT ADVISOR TO THE OEM
HIGH TECH INDUSTRY, A SENIOR FELLOW OF THE INSTITUTE
FOR THE ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL SECURITY (U.S.)
AND A CONSULTANT TO NOVX21 SAYS:
OF THE PATENTS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF THE PROCESS TO RECOVER PGM IN CONCENTRATES, NO ROYALTIES TO BE PAID.
Health and Safety
NovX21 operates a prototype industrial plant for the recovery of platinum-group elements since 2011 under a certificate of authorization from the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs (MDDEFP) of the Province of Quebec, Canada.
The process requires that the reactors operate in a 100% low-flow chlorine gas environment under negative pres-sure. Small-diameter piping is used for chlorine, reducing the quantities to be transported. The pressure in the tanks is low. A sensor system monitors ambient air at ground level and a forced ventilation system at ground level with a fresh air supply can be triggered if chlorine is detected. The equipment is impermeable and sealed. System leak mana-gement is a process trade secret of NovX21 that increases our competitive advantages.
The engineering group Seneca is in charge of the detailed engineering plans for the first commercial plant, including sound health and safety practice recommendations to en-sure the safety of all processes.
CONTACTS:
NOVX21 | (TSXV: NOV)
Sylvain Boulanger, P. Eng.
President and CEO
620 St-Jacques Street, Suite 110 Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3C 1C7
Phone: 514-282-2110
Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations
Nicole Blanchard, B. Sc, B. Comm.
Managing Partner
545 Promenade du Centropolis, Suite 207 Laval, Quebec, Canada H7T 0A3
Phone: 450-973-6600
WWW.NOVX21.COM