X GROUP Technologies (XGT) has successfully demonstrated its latest ion exchange innovation for producing high-purity vanadium solutions and precipitates for the preparation of vanadium flow battery (VFB) electrolyte.
The most important differentiator of this innovative process is the vanadyl sulphate (V4+) eluate that is produced off of ion exchange resin, as a high-purity solution of V concentrations well above the 1.8M tenors specified for VFB electrolyte. To further clarify, this exciting outcome is achieved without the ammonium precipitation and roasting required to produce the vanadium oxides needed for electrolyte preparation. The XGT flowsheet eliminates several costly process steps, which offers a compelling cost advantage over conventional methods of producing vanadium electrolyte.
Important chemistries of the XGT electrolyte flowsheet were successfully piloted earlier in 2023, at bench scales. View here: https://www.xgrouptechnologies.com/post/major-vrfb-electrolyte-advance-at-x-group-technologies
On the back of these encouraging results, IPEX Solutions designed, constructed and commissioned a demonstration plant at significantly larger scales, whereby any scaleup challenges of the new process would be identified. To this end, X GROUP Technologies executed the design, construction and commissioning of the much larger demonstration-scale plant as shown below.
The new plant incorporates all recent process refinements developed at IPEX Solutions. This includes our standard simulated moving bed ion exchange (SMB IX) pipe and valve manifold shown on the left, which was still under construction in July 2023.
The VFB flowsheet includes the innovative resin rinse system whereby exceptional eluate purities are achievable.
The new demonstration plant includes two tank reactors coupled with filtration equipment for solid-liquid separation. This is used for the precipitation of a vanadium dioxide compound which can be dried and oxidised to high purity V2O5.
The scaled-up process was successfully commissioned in August 2023, followed by production of the first batches of high purity solutions as well as the vanadium dioxide precipitate shown below.
Congratulations to Bryan Price (X GROUP Technologies General Manager), and Lionel Pretorius (ENVEX Operations Manager) and all who supported them!
The engineering of this plant was executed in only a few months at an exceptional standard. Well done also to the X GROUP Technologies team for conceptualising and commissioning this important facility at IPEX Solutions for the ongoing research and development, whereby our value proposition to clients and processing partners is further strengthened.