Abstract: A multi-stage fluidized bed synthesizer and process for synthesizing trichlorosilane wherein silicon particles can be fed into one of multiple intercommunicating fluidizing zones in a fluidized bed reactor supplied with fluidizing gas comprising hydrogen chloride. The fluidizing zones can be disposed laterally adjacent one to another, for example side-by-side, or in a horizontal line. Useful embodiments include: feeding the fluidizing gas at different rates and/or compositions to the different fluidizing zones; filtration apparatus to filter the gaseous product and return silicon particles to the reactor and cooling systems for cooling the fluidized bed and the gas volumes above the fluidized beds, if present.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a diffusion plate to partition one space from another and pass a gas through ports in the plate in a flow pattern which is uniform over the area of the partition. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a diffusion plate, sometimes referred to as a distributor plate, having the aforesaid functions in connection with fluidized bed apparatus.