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Test Plant

In January 2008 GSA's 20,000 litre scale R&D Test plant was completed (Figure 1).  This test plant was designed to scale up the technology from the previous successful testing at the 200 litre scale.

Located in Townsville, North Queensland the test plant was strategically located in order to provide security, privacy and a reliable source of suitable seawater.

The plant performed as expected and concentration of the solution was quickly attained.

Figure 1 - 20,000 Litre Scale Test Plant

The addition of the nucleating agent provided the platform for the precipitation of carbonate minerals.

Figure 2 shows the "whitings" phenomenon (formation of carbonate minerals) as it occurred shortly after nucleation.

The Plant has been operating successfully since January 2008; Minerals precipitated to date include: - Calcite (CaCO3); Magnesite (MgCO3); Dolomite (ordered calcium magnesium carbonate); High Magnesian Calcite (Disordered calcium magnesium carbonate.

Figure 2 - Whitings

Ratio of mineral precipitated to volume of seawater (Yield results):- Lowest yield, 75 grams per tonne (from aborted first run); typical yields over runs 2-3 have all been in excess of 100 grams per tonne with a maximum sustainable yield of 1.6kgs per tonne in Australia. (Note: Maximum sustainable yields are dependant upon predefined environmental regulations that may vary from country to country).

Analysis report of mineral (e.g. purity, composition, size):- Bulk composition is 99%; the grains are less than 2 microns in size.  Conventional bulk X-Ray fluorescent analysis indicates purities for the Calcite and Magnesite of 99%

Figure 3 shows some of the magnesium carbonate that was harvested from the test plant.

Figure 3 - Harvested Mineral