Graphite prices are a function of two factors, been flake size and purity. Large flake (+80 mesh) with high Carbon (+94%) concentrate varieties commanding premium pricing.
Higher mesh means less microns, so the relationship between the two appears to be invesrse
For naturally occurring graphite flake, it is obvious that larger graphite flakes attract a premium price, noting the table below is old and is only shown here to show the guide. The table below comes from the following link – page 12:
Flake size a key:
On a chemical basis graphite is essentially carbon, but there are differences.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/chemistry-science/difference-between-graphite-and-carbon/
Graphite is also the only non-metal that can conduct electricity.
http://www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/bsl/chemistry/graphited.html
In terms of molecular weight, I haven’t got my head around just yet the atomic weight of graphite and how it conducts electricity but theoretically the atomic weight of carbon is 12.01, but because I can’t work out the difference can’t relate back to the Faraday unit of charge and how much electricity is produced (and hence kg need of graphite in the battery anode per kWh, hence relying on industry observations to understand graphite shortfalls, albeit I generally like doing my own equation – discussed further below).So far I am getting to 50% to 70% of the calcs by industry so obviously I think I am having issues around the conversions and probably because need to understand the differences in carbon and how graphite conducts a charge etc etc which I need to drink more VB to work it out LOL). Was able to work it out for lithium, but struggling with graphite, so that is life.
Spherical Graphite versus Synthetic graphite
The use of higher purity feedstock to make spherical graphite reduces the cost of chemical and or heat treatment to raise the purity to above 99.9 per cent, which is needed for batteries grade.
http://australianminingreview.com.au/commodity-focus-graphite/
The below in italics is from the link just below and is a key IMO in understanding the issues surrounding cost competitive around natural graphite flake been converted to spherical graphite compared to synthetic graphite.(Note: I am taking selective paragraphs from the link itself, and the reason it is in italics is because it is a direct quote). As these issues, particularly recovery rates, are addressed the future for naturally occurring graphite flake to be the graphite of choice for meeting the needs of the EV market will further improve IMO–
http://www.northerngraphite.com/_resources/media/SPG-Summary-2.pdf
“”””””””””””””””””””””””””””Spherical graphite is manufactured from flake graphite concentrates produced by graphite mines and is the anode material used in lithium ion batteries (“LiBs”). SPG can be sold as either a coated (“cSPG”) or uncoated (“uSPG”) product. Uncoated SPGis made by micronizing, rounding and purifying flake graphite.
Historically, three tonnes of flake graphite concentrate were required to produce one tonne of uSPG due to losses during the initial micronizing and rounding stages and this represents the major cost. Industry yields have improved to 40-‐50% …………………………… and the larger the flake size the higher the yield.
The flakes must be reduced in size toabout 40 microns, and rounded which essentially involves rolling them up like asnowball. They have also been described as a “clenched fist”or a “cabbage”structure. The final size varies between 5 and 20 microns depending on the application. A human hair is about 45 microns. The round shape is necessary for them to be spread thinly and uniformly during the high speed manufacturing process. The round shape also results in a higher density in the battery,better rate capacity and longer life. For these reasons, micronized, “unroundedflakes” are not used in batteries. The micronized and rounded material is thenpurified from approximately 94%C to99.95%C using hydrofluoric and sulphuricacid as impurities affect battery performance. On its own, wet chemical purification is a low cost process but large quantities of fresh water are required to rinse the graphite. Costs increase if neutralizing agents are added and proper environmental and health and safety practices are followed. This is one of the reasons almost all uSPG is produced in China.
Coating is the final stage in producing SPG. Itis not one simple step. cSPG for common batteries in smalldevices is made by coating the spheres with a pitch or asphalt substance and baking it at over 1,200OC.The coating is essentially a hard carbon shell which protects the sphere from exfoliation and inhibits the ongoing reaction of the electrolyte with the graphite which reduces battery capacity and life. ………………………...Anode material made with natural graphite has a higher capacity and is less expensive than synthetic graphite.Because battery life is much more important in an EV than it is in a cell phone for example, EV batteries have been made from synthetic graphite which costs from$10,000 to $20,000/t.
More recently, three companies (LG,Hitachi and Samsung) have developed the technology to control expansion and extend the cycle life of natural cSPG to meet the rigid requirements of the EV market.This has enabled them to blend natural and synthetic graphite to take advantage of the strengths of each and to manufacture lower cost, long life, high capacity EV batteries. The recipes are a closely guarded secret but it is generally believed that their EV batteries are 40 to 60% natural graphite and that the ratio will increase as natural cSPG manufacturing processes improve..””””””””””””””””
Economic resources
Because China has a lot of low quality graphite resources, in effect flake deposits which could end up been mined, assuming they have sufficient resources, IMO need to grade at least 7% -9% carbon.
How much graphite is in a lithium ion battery
1kg per kWh is the answer generally used, and what I used in the table above.
So essentially, how much spherical graphite is produced from naturally occuring flake graphite (I presume 94% C) concentrate is dependent on the assumption of synthetic to natural occurring graphite in the battery anode, within lithium ion batteries. As a general rule, it is generally assumed that 2kg to 3kg of graphite flake concentrate (94%) is required for each 1 kWh of graphite in the anode sourced from spherical graphite, assuming 50% of the anode comes from naturally occurring graphite and the remainder is synthetic graphite.
Back to RNU:
Remember RNU is proposing to produce spherical graphite and that means value add for holders. Also having one of the few graphite deposits outside China is a very very good thing, as per my recent posts on RNU which are embedded above and duplicated below for those who are more long term holders:
Post #:51583221 (valuations)
Post #:51379544 (what RNU is actually proposing - spherical)
Post #:51384197 (ESG and what RUNU has)
Finally, the above is a bit of a dump of thoughts. Anyway, personally don't like 10 c and 20c party threads btw. But that is me. Going forward might be good to have a FA thread, of which this post, and the embedded posts are more relevant to.
All IMO
All IMO
