Effect of Silica and Carbon-reducing Agents on Ni and Ti iImpurities During Silicon Production

The Ni and Ti contents of industrial silicon significantly affect the synthesis of organic silicon. On the basis of large specific production data, the carbon-reducing agent effect of Ni and Ti contents on silicon quality were investigated using statistical techniques. Two furnaces were also studied—an 8.5 MVA furnace and a 12.5 MVA furnace. The effects of TiO2 and NiO impurities on the power consumption of both furnaces were also evaluated using the correlation of the TiO2 and NiO impurities in raw materials with specific power consumption. The consumption of raw materials exhibited a high negative correlation with the TiO2 and NiO impurities in industrial silicon, as determined by linear regression—that is, 82% < |r| < 99%. The influence of Ni on industrial silicon production was also stronger than that of Ti. With an increase in Ni, the power consumption of the 8.5 MWA furnace significantly decreased, whereas that of the 12.5 MWA furnace increased. Adjusting the Ni content could reduce the power consumption of industrial silicon production in the large furnace.