Method for purifying silicon
US5972107A · kind A · utility
16Cited by
8References
19Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 28, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T117/1024
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus for purifying metallurgical grade silicon to produce solar grade silicon has a container for holding molten silicon and one or more submergible torches for providing a flame surrounded by inert gas to heat the molten silicon so that the reaction time is prolonged, to create turbulence, and to introduce silica powder and water vapor for reactions with molten silicon. The molten silicon is then directionally solidified by providing the container in a coolant tank and controlling the coolant level with controllable valves so that further purification is achieved by segregating impurities.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.