Abstract: A polymer handling method for a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing device, wherein the polymer byproducts are treated in a manner that the silicon polymers are hydrolyzed. The method creates a heated treatment gas with a moisture content that both treats the polymer to a depth of about 0.25 mm to prohibit formation of the friction and shock sensitive layer near the polymer surface and keeps the hydrolyzed polymer humidified. Furthermore the polymer handling method includes inactivation of the polymer, removal of the polymer of the system and disposal of the polymer after removal.

Abstract: In the hydrochlorination reaction, silicon tetrachloride (STC), metallurgical silicon, and hydrogen are converted to trichlorosilane (TCS) at about 540° C. Previously, a pilot-scale reactor was used to study the yield of TCS produced by the hydrochlorination reaction. The yield observed by experimentation compared favorably with a scalable mathematical model developed to predict the rate of TCS conversion. The model predicted that 90% of the final amount of TCS produced was achieved after the reactant gas traveled a quarter of the vertical distance in the reaction section of the reactor. The pilot-scale reactor was shortened to verify the model predictions. In addition, some catalytic effects on the reaction were studied.

Abstract: A polymer handling method for a polycrystalline silicon manufacturing device, wherein the polymer byproducts are treated in a manner that the silicon polymers are hydrolyzed. The method creates a heated treatment gas with a moisture content that both treats the polymer to a depth of about 0.25 mm to prohibit formation of the friction and shock sensitive layer near the polymer surface and keeps the hydrolyzed polymer humidified. Furthermore the polymer handling method includes inactivation of the polymer, removal of the polymer of the system and disposal of the polymer after removal.

Abstract: In the hydrochlorination reaction, silicon tetrachloride (STC), metallurgical silicon, and hydrogen are converted to trichlorosilane (TCS) at about 540° C. Previously, a pilot-scale reactor was used to study the yield of TCS produced by the hydrochlorination reaction. The yield observed by experimentation compared favorably with a scalable mathematical model developed to predict the rate of TCS conversion. The model predicted that 90% of the final amount of TCS produced was achieved after the reactant gas traveled a quarter of the vertical distance in the reaction section of the reactor. The pilot-scale reactor was shortened to verify the model predictions. In addition, some catalytic effects on the reaction were studied.