METHOD OF AGGLOMERATING SILICON/SILICON CARBIDE FROM WIRESAWING WASTE AND PRODUCT THEREFROM

摘要

The process of the present invention begins with a source of silicon and silicon carbide from wafer production. The silicon/silicon carbide waste material is dewatered as need be and passed to a mixer where the waste material is agglomerated. A binder is applied to the waste material either during agglomeration or during pelletizing. A variety of organic binders may be used such as polyvinyl alcohol, molasses, sodium silicate and polyethylene glycol; however, the preferred binder is a lignosulsulfonate. The amount of binder used will depend upon the particular binder and the feed material used. The silicon/silicon carbide-containing waste material is pelletized. The invention also provided silicon/silicon carbide-containing pellets that may be used as reduction material in smelting furnaces for the production of metals and alloys.