Efficiency in the extraction of pure silicon from Al-Si alloy melts by a combined process of solvent refining and centrifugation for solar silicon feedstock

摘要

Solvent refining of silicon from Al-Si melts assisted by a centrifugation was investigated for three alloys in the Al-Si system. Silicon was successfully separated from aluminum-rich phase in the form of a foam by centrifugation. As the silicon content increased, the recovery decreased because less aluminum-rich phases remained in the silicon foam. The weight ratio before and after acid leaching of the silicon foam was inversely related to its apparent density before acid leaching. The purity of the extracted silicon decreased slightly with increased silicon content. The purity of the silicon flakes obtained from the Al - 30% Si alloy was 4N, except aluminum. Boron and phosphorus in the silicon flakes could be lowered effectively by decreasing the silicon content in the Al-Si alloys.