Development of processes for the production of solar grade silicon from halides and alkali metals. Second quarterly report, 1 January-31 March 1980

This program is directed toward the development of processes involving high temperature reactions of silicon halides with alkali metals for the production of solar grade silicon in volume at low cost. Experiments are being performed to evaluate product separation and collection processes, measure heat release parameters for scaling purposes, determine the effects of reactants and/or products on materials of reactor construction, and make preliminary engineering and economic analyses of a scaled-up process. Samples of the silicon product will be delivered to JPL for evaluation of solar cell performance. During this reporting period, the program efforts were directed toward the measurement of reagent flow rates and silicon collection efficiencies, the construction of a new sodium heat pipe to permit one to two hour runs, and the completion of the economic and engineering analyses of the AeroChem process to make solar grade silicon. Progress is reported.