Method of agglomerating silicon/silicon carbide from wiresawing waste
US9228246B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2014 |
| Grant date | Jan 5, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 22, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC22B7/00
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The process of the present invention begins with a source of silicon and silicon carbide from wafer production. The silicon/silicon carbide waste material is dewatered as need be and passed to a mixer where the waste material is agglomerated. A binder is applied to the waste material either during agglomeration or during pelletizing. A variety of organic binders may be used such as polyvinyl alcohol, molasses, sodium silicate and polyethylene glycol; however, the preferred binder is a lignosulsulfonate. The amount of binder used will depend upon the particular binder and the feed material used. The silicon/silicon carbide-containing waste material is pelletized. The invention also provided silicon/silicon carbide-containing pellets that may be used as reduction material in smelting furnaces for the production of metals and alloys.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.