Sparc Technologies’ anti-corrosive graphene additive to be trialled at BMA coal handling plant

Chemicals R&D business Sparc Technologies has announced execution of an agreement with coal miner BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) for a 24-month field trial of a graphene additive at a coal handling and processing plant.

Sparc’s graphene-based additive product, ecosparc, will feature in a coating, and Sparc claimed the trial as “another key milestone in validating” the product “on critical infrastructure in relevant real-world environments.”

The ecosparc-enhanced coating will be used for its anti-corrosive properties on the Goonyella Riverside Mine’s coal handling and processing plant’s (CHPP) infrastructure. Sparc said it will be the fourth trial agreement for the product.

The trials at the Queensland site will provide valuable performance data for potential customers, according to a statement from Sparc on Friday, and build on more than six years’ years of research and development and more than 10,000 data points “from accelerated cyclic corrosion testing in the laboratory.” 

Its key obligations will be supply of both ecosparc-enhanced and unmodified control coatings to BMA.

“Sparc is very pleased to be working with BHP Mitsubishi Alliance, Australia’s largest producer and supplier of  seaborne metallurgical coal, to complete field trials of ecosparc enhanced coating in its coal handling  facilities,” said Sparc Managing Director Nick O’Loughlin. 

“The conditions within the CHPP [offer] an ideal setting to benchmark the ecosparc enhanced coating  against an existing market-leading product. We thank BMA for the innovative approach they have shown by  supporting this field trial.” 

While the monetary value was “negligible”, the trial – to be monitored over 24 months – would be strategically important. Initial results are expected within six to 12 months.

Picture: credit BHP

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