Patent · US Expired

Cleaning of CVD reactor used in the production of polycrystalline silicon by impacting with carbon dioxide pellets

US5108512A · kind A · utility

39Cited by
9References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 16, 1991
Grant dateApr 28, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 16, 2011

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC01B33/035
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The present invention is a process for the cleaning of the inner surfaces of a chemical vapor deposition reactor used in the production of polycrystalline silicon. The process comprises impacting the surfaces to be cleaned with solid carbon dioxide pellets. The carbon dioxide pellets dislodge silicon deposits from the surface of the reactor without damaging the surface of the reactor and without providing a source for contamination of polycrystalline silicon produced in the cleaned reactor. The present process is particularly useful for the cleaning of the inner surfaces of chemical vapor deposition reactors used in the production of semi-conductor grade silicon.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.