EnerG2 Selects Harper for Advanced Rotary Furnace System
Buffalo, NY - Harper International, leader in thermal processing solutions for advanced materials, has been selected to provide advanced high temperature furnace systems for the manufacture of energy storage materials for EnerG2. The system will be utilized for pyrolysis of activated carbon for ultracapacitors. EnerG2, based in Seattle, WA, USA, is focused exclusively on the development and production of advanced carbons for energy storage devices.
Harper's innovative furnace design enables EnerG2's unique requirement of producing very high purity material at temperatures to 1100°C. Metallic impurities in their material are unacceptable as they could affect charge storage ability. The high temperatures and purity specifications necessitate exacting control of gas particle interactions. As such, Harper engineered the multi-line rotary system with specialty construction materials inclusive of a ceramic lined process area to meet the purity conditions, and balanced the need for a gas tight operation on the nitrogen atmosphere through its proprietary sealing technology.
"It is critical that in our mission to develop breakthrough energy technologies, we have partners who are equally as dedicated to supporting us with innovative production equipment," commented Phil Souza, Vice President of Manufacturing. "We have been working with Harper since 2009 as we refined and optimized our thermal processing regime, and now that work culminates in this key piece of equipment that will enable our production scale operations."
The rotary system will eventually be in use at EnerG2's new facility in Oregon, the world's first dedicated to the commercial-scale production of synthetic high-performance carbon electrode material. The facility was made possible by a $21.3 million Federal stimulus grant allocated by the US Department of Energy for makers of advanced automotive batteries and energy storage technologies, and was celebrated with a grand opening in early February.
Harper supports customers across the globe in a variety of materials markets for energy devices, including advanced batteries, capacitors, fuel cells and more. Like EnerG2, many customers visit Harper's Research Center to work through their thermal processing parameters, and plan for commercial scale up. Harper's Ignite(TM) process focuses on assisting customers like EnerG2 in turning the next generation of material innovations into profitable new markets.
About Harper International
Harper International is a global leader in complete thermal processing solutions, as well as technical services essential for the production of advanced materials. From concept to commercialization, from research scale to full production line operations, Harper is perpetually on the cutting edge. For decades, we have pioneered some of the world's most innovative, customized systems, with a focus on processing materials at high temperature and in non-ambient atmospheres. For additional information about Harper, please visit harperintl.com or email us at info@harperintl.com.
