PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SI BY REDUCTION OF SIHC13 WITH LIQUID ZN

摘要

The invention relates to the manufacture of high purity silicon as a base material for the production of e.g. crystalline silicon solar cells.;SiHCl₃ is converted to Si metal by contacting gaseous SiHCl₃ with liquid Zn, thereby obtaining a Si-bearing alloy, H₂ and ZnCl₂, which are separated. The Si-bearing alloy is then purified at a temperature above the boiling point of Zn.;This process does not require complicated technologies and preserves the high purity of the SiHCl₃ towards the end product. The only other reactant is Zn, which can be obtained in very high purity grades, and which can be recycled after electrolysis of the Zn-chloride.