HPQ Silicon Resources Inc.

Progress Report Confirms That GEN 2 PUREVAP(TM) Can Successfully Operate Under Vacuum In Semi-Continuous Feed Mode

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Jan. 15, 2018) -

Note to editors: Three images are included with this press release on Marketwired's website.

HPQ Silicon Resources Inc. ("HPQ") (TSX VENTURE:HPQ)(FRANKFURT:UGE)(OTC PINK:URAGF) is pleased to inform shareholders that PyroGenesis Canada Inc (PyroGenesis) has submitted a first progress report on results from the Gen 2 PUREVAP™ Quartz Reduction Reactor ("QRR") test work. The Gen 2 PUREVAP™ reactor is operating as designed, and yielding results that are in line with expectations. This is extremely promising for the PUREVAP™ ongoing development as process improvements and design modifications continue to be implemented.

GEN 2 RESULTS START DEMONSTRATING COMMERCIAL SCALABILITY OF PUREVAP™ QRR

Key milestones to date:

• Gen 2 PUREVAP™ has operated in semi-continuous feed mode under vacuum, over ever increasing time intervals;
• Gen 2 PUREVAP™ completed 4 operating feed cycles, over 10-12 hours of operation;
• Gen 2 PUREVAP™ can reach and, more importantly, maintain, the temperature ranges required for optimum operational parameters;
• Gen 2 PUREVAP™ is achieving significantly higher production yield 5.7 times more (+469%) and production rate 23 times more (+2,259 %) compared to peak Gen 1 PUREVAP™ performance under similar testing conditions.
  
  

Very promising output results have also been attained:

• The largest individual sample of Si produced to date with the Gen 2 PUREVAP™ is 8.5 grams; 8 times more massive than the maximum produced with Gen 1 PUREVAP™;
• The total mass of Si produced during one Gen 2 PUREVAP™ test is 11.5 times greater than the average of the top 20 GEN 1 PUREVAP™ tests.
  
  

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and CEO of HPQ Silicon stated, "Our methodical approach is producing exciting results as we successfully transition from a static lab scale under vacuum to a semi-continuous operating mode under vacuum, with enormous improvements in production. The market so far has not yet comprehended the scope of what has been accomplished, in the lab, and in our breakthrough agreement with Apollon Solar announced in December. Our objective in 2018 is to continue to build on our technical successes and commence the Pilot Plant phase with our 'Solar Silicon Team' of PyroGenesis and Apollon Solar, and to build market awareness. The addition of Apollon Solar to our technical team will allow further refinements to the silicon purification and testing of the numerous process improvements now planned for the Pilot Plant. We have started de-risking our project and our ongoing tests are providing valuable information as we continue to implement the adjustments needed to produce the Solar Grade Silicon Metal that will allow the manufacturing of multi and monocrystalline solar cells for high performance photovoltaic conversion."