Apparatus and process for making solar grade silicon

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A reactor apparatus adapted for continuously producing molten, solar grade purity elemental silicon by thermal reaction of a suitable precursor gas such as silane (SiH4), is disclosed. The reactor apparatus includes an elongated reactor body having graphite or carbon walls which are heated to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of silicon. The precursor gas enters the reactor body through an efficiently cooled inlet tube assembly and a relatively thin carbon or graphite septum The septum being in contact on one side with the cooled inlet and the heated interior of the reactor on the other side, provides a sharp temperature gradient for the precursor gas entering the reactor and …