Control of carbon balance in a silicon smelting furnace

Patent · 29 December 1992

OSTI ID:868614

Dosaj, Vishu D ^[1]; Haines, Cathryn M ^[1]; May, James B ^[1]; Oleson, John D ^[1]

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1. Midland, MI

The present invention is a process for the carbothermic reduction of silicon dioxide to form elemental silicon. Carbon balance of the process is assessed by measuring the amount of carbon monoxide evolved in offgas exiting the furnace. A ratio of the amount of carbon monoxide evolved and the amount of silicon dioxide added to the furnace is determined. Based on this ratio, the carbon balance of the furnace can be determined and carbon feed can be adjusted to maintain the furnace in carbon balance.

• Research Organization: DOW CORNING CORP
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-87ID12624
• Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation (Midland, MI)
• Patent Number(s): US 5174982
• Application Number: 07/626,151
• OSTI ID: 868614
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

/423/75/204/
added
adjusted
amount
assessed
balance
based
carbon
carbon balance
carbon monoxide
carbothermic
carbothermic reduction
control
determined
dioxide
elemental
elemental silicon
evolved
exiting
feed
form
furnace
gas exit
gas exiting
maintain
measuring
melting furnace
monoxide
offgas
process
ratio
reduction
silicon
silicon dioxide
silicon smelting
smelting