| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2021 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
High Temperature Electrochemistry IV
|
| Presentation Title |
Validated Modeling of Quartzite Reduction to Solar Silicon by Molten Salt Electrolysis |
| Author(s) |
Aditya Moudgal, Mohammad Asadikiya, Jacob Hazerjian, Vicky Luu, Ariana Ly, Adam C. Powell, Uday Pal, Yu Zhong |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Aditya Moudgal |
| Abstract Scope |
This talk presents a validated Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model of coupled current density distribution, fluid flow with magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) and heat and mass transfer in molten salt electrolysis reduction of quartzite (SiO₂) to solar silicon. The electrolyte is MgF₂-CaF₂ eutectic with additions of CaO to enhance SiO₂ solubility, and YF₃ to reduce corrosion rate of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) solid oxide membrane (SOM) anodes. The FEA model and experiments show effects of stirring on current density distribution, of current and the boundary layer on electrolyte composition adjacent to the cathode and YSZ SOM, and of current density on temperatures and conductivities. The FEA model also estimates performance characteristics of an industrial silicon electrolysis cell, including MHD stirring using the magnetic field generated by the current bus (SOM anodes do not provide gas lift stirring). Finally, a techno-economic model estimates process cost, energy consumption, and direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Modeling and Simulation, Electronic Materials, Electrometallurgy |