Technology
The Company currently operates at four scales:
- 01. Laboratory Cells – where quantities of up to 100g are reduced in each experiment. There are currently twelve second-generation Laboratory Cells which carry out fundamental research into reduction mechanisms, process optimisation and cell geometry.
- 02. Development Cells – where quantities of up to 20kg can be reduced. These cells closely match the Laboratory design and hence build on the data generated in the Laboratory environment. These cells are used for washing, crushing and packing trials as well as to provide samples to partners as part of long-term collaborations.
- 03. Batch Pilot Cell – where quantities of up to 100kg can be reduced in each batch. These cells which were commissioned in 2005 have helped characterise and resolve various scale-up issues. Whilst they are well engineered from an electro-chemical perspective, they are not capable of the rapid reduction and turnaround times necessary to make the process economically viable.
- 04. Semi-continuous Pilot Production – a new generation of semi-continuous pilot cells are being designed and built. These cells address the process cost and consistency issues identified in the Batch Pilot Cells and will be capable of scaling up to full production volume.
