Apparatus and method for silicon powder management

摘要

Methods and apparatus for separating polysilicon powder from a mixture of granular polysilicon and polysilicon powder are disclosed. The method includes tumbling the polysilicon material in a tumbling device. The tumbling device includes a tumbler drum having one or more lifting vanes spaced apart from one another and extending longitudinally along an interior surface of the tumbler drum. The lifting vanes facilitate separation of polysilicon powder and granules as the tumbler drum is rotated about its longitudinal axis of rotation.

主权项

1. A tumbling device for separating granular polysilicon and polysilicon powder, the tumbling device comprising:
a tumbler drum comprising
a first end wall,a second end wall,a side wall that extends between the end walls and together with the end walls defines a chamber, the side wall configured to produce a primary transverse particle flow and a secondary transverse particle flow in the chamber by rotation of the tumbler drum,a port extending through the side wall, the port being configured to provide access to the chamber for introducing the polysilicon material into the chamber and for removing the tumbled polysilicon material from the chamber, andthe side wall, the first end wall, the second end wall, or a combination thereof defining a gas inlet and an outlet, with the gas inlet and the outlet being at spaced apart locations; a source of sweep gas fluidly connected to the gas inlet; a dust collection assembly fluidly connected to the outlet; and a source of motive power operable to rotate the tumbler drum about an axis of rotation that extends longitudinally through the chamber.