Orbite Technologies updates on HPA construction

Orbite Technologies Inc. today provided an update on the construction of its High Purity Alumina (HPA) Plant located in Cap-Chat Quebec. The company said since commencement in Q3 the commissioning of the project is right on schedule and will be ready for commercial production in Q4.

Below are a few highlights from the project update:

• Installation of refractory materials in the calciner and decomposer, by RHI Canada Inc., under technical oversight from Outotec, was completed on August 1.
• A four-week curing process, whereby the refractory material in both ovens was heated to 900 degrees C, commenced the first week of August and was completed by August 30, as planned.
• CNC Mechanical Inc. is now proceeding with the integration of the calcination system into the plant through installation of the main process piping and equipment.
• Shop prefabrication of specialty alloy piping, required for the high-temperature steam supply to the decomposer and calciner is ongoing.
• Prefabrication of lined piping continues, and delivery to site for installation commenced in August, as planned.
• Installation of piping commenced in August, as planned.
• Les entreprises d'electricite JMN Inc. from Matane (Quebec) continues to progress as planned.
• Les Entreprises Roy Duguay & Associes has completed all major exterior foundations; and equipment foundations inside the plant are materially complete.
• The contract for the installation of the new ventilation system was awarded to Balvent Inc. and site work will commence in September.
• Commissioning and start-up procedures continue to be finalized by operations personnel for the various parts of the plant. Commissioning of certain sections commenced in Q3 as planned.
• Health and Safety and Emergency Response Plans for continuous operations have been completed and continue to be implemented.

"We are near to completion of our HPA plant, and have commenced commissioning as scheduled," stated Glenn Kelly, CEO of Orbite. "With the refractory system now installed, cured and cooled, one of the more complex and sensitive parts of the construction work is behind us, and we can now focus on the relatively more straightforward elements.”