Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for manufacturing crystalline silicon ingots by directional solidification, where the melt and carbonaceous structural parts of the crystallisation furnace is protected from the fumes of the melt by applying a gas conduit which leads the fumes directly out of the directional solidification compartment of the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of photovoltaic wafers and abrasive slurries for multi-wire sawing of wafers for photovoltaic applications, and more specific to abrasive slurries which are easy to remove from the wafers after sawing, where the abrasive slurry comprises one part recycled abrasive slurry, an alkali in sufficient amount to provide a pH in the abrasive slurry mixture in the range from 6.0 to 9.0, and one part novel abrasive slurry in an amount sufficient to provide an ion content in the abrasive slurry mixture to provide an electric conductivity of less than 50 ?S/cm.