PROCESS AND EQUIPMENT FOR REACTING SILICON TETRACHLORIDE WITH ZINC TO PRODUCE PURE SILICON AND ZINC CHLORIDE

摘要

A process and equipment for reacting silicon tetrachloride with liquid zinc to produce silicon and zinc chloride the reaction taking place in a reactor (1 ). Silicon tetrachloride gas is injected continuously through one or more nozzles (7) into a flow of molten zinc (5) in a reaction zone (2) of the reactor where the temperature is above the melting temperature of zinc (>419°C) and below the boiling temperature of zinc chloride at 1 atmosphere pressure (732°C). The reaction products, silicon and zinc chloride are collected in a separation zone (3) from which they may be removed. Silicon with high purity is effectively and cheaply produced by the present inventive process and equipment.