The present invention relates to a composition for the production of a graphite powder, suitable for making high performance lithium-ion battery anodes and other applications. The composition of matter comprises a biochar, a metal and graphite. The biochar is typically derived from the pyrolysis of woody biomass. The metal is typically a transition metal derived from the decomposition and reduction of an organic or inorganic metallic compound. The graphite is highly crystalline and has a wide range of morphologies or structures.

The present invention relates to a composition for the production of a graphite powder, suitable for making high performance lithium-ion battery anodes and other applications. The composition of matter comprises a biochar, a metal and graphite. The biochar is typically derived from the pyrolysis of woody biomass. The metal is typically a transition metal derived from the decomposition and reduction of an organic or inorganic metallic compound. The graphite is highly crystalline and has a wide range of morphologies or structures.

A process for concentrating graphite particles comprising a) providing a feedstock which contains the graphite particles and an undesired material, b) adding hydrophobic magnetic particles to the feedstock which results in a loaded feedstock containing agglomerates of the magnetic particles and the graphite particles, and c) separating the agglomerates from the loaded feedstock by a magnetic field which results in isolated agglomerates.

A process for concentrating graphite particles comprising a) providing a feedstock which contains the graphite particles and an undesired material, b) adding hydrophobic magnetic particles to the feedstock which results in a loaded feedstock containing agglomerates of the magnetic particles and the graphite particles, and c) separating the agglomerates from the loaded feedstock by a magnetic field which results in isolated agglomerates.

The present disclosure relates to a process for purifying graphitic material, in particular to achieve a high purity of >99.9% carbon (C). The process comprises a) heating a mixture of graphite and a eutectic mixture comprising two or more alkali metal hydroxides to produce a fused mass comprising the graphite and the eutectic mixture; b) leaching the fused mass with water or an aqueous solution to dissolve water-soluble impurities therein; and c) leaching the water-leached fused mass with an acidic solution to dissolve acid-soluble impurities therein, thereby producing high purity graphite.

The present disclosure relates to a process for purifying graphitic material, in particular to achieve a high purity of >99.9% carbon (C). The process comprises a) heating a mixture of graphite and a eutectic mixture comprising two or more alkali metal hydroxides to produce a fused mass comprising the graphite and the eutectic mixture; b) leaching the fused mass with water or an aqueous solution to dissolve water-soluble impurities therein; and c) leaching the water-leached fused mass with an acidic solution to dissolve acid-soluble impurities therein, thereby producing high purity graphite.

A two-stage method of producing purified graphite is described. The first stage of the method comprises the steps of subjecting graphite material to a caustic bake and releasing any remaining caustic using water. The graphite material is then subjected to a first acid wash. Neutralising and washing the acid washed graphite material is then performed to deliver an intermediate purified graphite product. In the second stage the intermediate purified graphite product is subjected to a low temperature caustic leach. Any remaining caustic in the intermediate purified graphite product is released using water, and the intermediate purified graphite product is subjected to a second acid wash. Finally, neutralising and washing the intermediate purified graphite product is performed to deliver a final purified graphite product with a purity of 99.95% C and above.

A two-stage method of producing purified graphite is described. The first stage of the method comprises the steps of subjecting graphite material to a caustic bake and releasing any remaining caustic using water. The graphite material is then subjected to a first acid wash. Neutralising and washing the acid washed graphite material is then performed to deliver an intermediate purified graphite product. In the second stage the intermediate purified graphite product is subjected to a low temperature caustic leach. Any remaining caustic in the intermediate purified graphite product is released using water, and the intermediate purified graphite product is subjected to a second acid wash. Finally, neutralising and washing the intermediate purified graphite product is performed to deliver a final purified graphite product with a purity of 99.95% C and above.

A system and a method of continuously separating submicron thickness laminar solid particles from a solid suspension, segregating the suspension into a submicron thickness particle fraction suspension and a residual particle fraction suspension, the method comprising the steps of; providing a continuous centrifuge apparatus; providing a suspension of submicron thickness laminar solid particles in a solid suspension; wherein the solid suspension comprises the submicron thickness solid particles in a liquid continuous phase; separating the solid suspension in the apparatus.

A system and a method of continuously separating submicron thickness laminar solid particles from a solid suspension, segregating the suspension into a submicron thickness particle fraction suspension and a residual particle fraction suspension, the method comprising the steps of; providing a continuous centrifuge apparatus; providing a suspension of submicron thickness laminar solid particles in a solid suspension; wherein the solid suspension comprises the submicron thickness solid particles in a liquid continuous phase; separating the solid suspension in the apparatus.