Elcora defines particle size distribution for batteries

Dec 15, 2015

ELCORA PROVIDES DETAILS ON ITS GRAPHITE PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORTS SUITABILITY FOR THE BATTERY MARKET

Elcora Resources Corp. has defined the targeted graphite particle size distributions and finalized the designs for various stages of the process circuit accordingly. As part of the plan, the company is capable of producing a particle size distribution suitable for lithium-ion battery applications.

The Elcora process has been specifically designed to produce a wide range of particle size distributions to allow production for specific client requirements, including batteries. The graphite from the mine is found as graphite lumps and powders ranging in size from below 50 micron (microm, 1*10-6 of a meter or one millionth of a metre) to well over 10 cm. These are the traditional Sri Lankan graphite products.

The size distribution of the Elcora graphite after the crushing circuit is approximated in Figure 1. The blue line is the macro size reduction product that is produced after the second stage of crushing (screen underflow is at 0.5 mm, larger particles are recycled back to the crushing circuit). The product at this point is composed of stacks of graphite crystals and does not represent individual graphite flakes.

The red line shows liberation grinding size distribution at a work index of between 4-16 kWhr/tonne. This is the size distribution of the liberated graphite flakes. This type of distribution of graphite is suitable for the exfoliation market as well as graphite forms and foil.

With grinding power greater than 16 kWhr/tonne the graphite crystal size can be further reduced. This is shown as the green line. The final size is dependent upon the energy input and can be tailored to individual client needs. To date Elcora has produced graphite flakes as small as 3 micron. With the correct energy input graphite crystals can be produced in the size range suitable for the lithium ion battery market (5-30 micron).

“The results of this work is important in targeting many industries including the lithium ion battery industry” said Troy Grant, “this is another rung on the ladder in Elcora’s climb to success. The Company can now respond to client needs ranging beyond exfoliated graphite and into the battery market – a big component in Elcora’s strategy of optimizing graphite value.” To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2409/18520_elcoraenhanced1.jpgFigure 1 Elcora graphite size distribution before size class separations: Blue = products 1 and 2, under 500 um portion only. Red = liberation circuit products 2 and 4. Green = micro size reduction moderate energy input (example of product 5). The green line can be shifted so that the d50 is as low as 2 microns.

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