Production Of High Silicon Alloys

This book is intended for professionals working with all aspects of high silicon alloy production. It covers the basics of silicon processes regarding thermodynamic and reaction kinetics. Post-furnace processes such as refining and solidification are presented and there are also important contributions covering furnace design, energy use and environmental standards for silicon production.

ONE OF A FOUR-BOOK COLLECTION SPOTLIGHTING CLASSIC ARTICLES Landmark research findings and reviews in aluminum reduction technology Highlighting some of the most important findings and insights reported over the past five decades, this volume features many of the best original research papers and reviews on aluminum reduction technology published from 1963 to 2011. Papers have been organized into seven themes: 1. Fundamentals 2. Modeling 3. Design 4. Operations 5. Control 6. Environmental 7. Alternative processes The first six themes deal with conventional Hall-Héroult electrolytic reduction technology, whereas the last theme features papers dedicated to nonconventional processes. Each section begins with a brief introduction and ends with a list of recommended articles for further reading, enabling researchers to explore each subject in greater depth. The papers for this volume were selected from among some 1,500 Light Metals articles. Selection was based on a rigorous review process. Among the papers, readers will find breakthroughs in science as well as papers that have had a major impact on technology. In addition, there are expert reviews summarizing our understanding of key topics at the time of publication. From basic research to advanced applications, the articles published in this volume collectively represent a complete overview of aluminum reduction technology. It will enable students, scientists, and engineers to trace the history of aluminum reduction technology and bring themselves up to date with the current state of the technology.

This chapter examines the theory and technology of the production of silicon and ferrosilicon alloys. An overview of silica raw materials, silica transformations, and carbon reductants for smelting is presented together with an exploration of the thermodynamics of silicon reduction and the formation of silicon carbide. For industrial practice, the results of furnace operation and zones formation are discussed, along with the main parameters required to ensure a smooth furnace operation. Finally, post–tap hole processes (refining and casting) and environmental issues (fumes and dust formation and handling) are described.

Polycrystalline silicon (commonly called "polysilicon") is the material of choice for photovoltaic (PV) applications. Polysilicon is the purest synthetic material on the market, though its processing through gas purification and decomposition (commonly called "Siemens" process) carries high environmental risk. While many current optoelectronic applications require high purity, PV applications do not and therefore alternate processes and materials are being explored for PV grade silicon. Solar Silicon Processes: Technologies, Challenges, and Opportunities reviews current and potential future processing technologies for PV applications of solar silicon. It describes alternative processes and issues of material purity, cost, and environmental impact. It covers limits of silicon use with respect to high-efficiency solar cells and challenges arising from R&D activities. The book also defines purity requirements and purification processes of metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si) and examines production of solar grade silicon by novel processes directly from MG-Si and/or by decomposition of silane gas in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR). Furthermore, the book: Analyzes past research and industrial development of low-cost silicon processes in view of understanding future trends in this field. Discusses challenges and probability of success of various solar silicon processes. Covers processes that are more environmentally sensitive. Describes limits of silicon use with respect to high-efficiency solar cells and challenges arising from R&D activities. Defines purity requirements and purification processes of MG-Si. Examines production of solar grade silicon directly from MG-Si.