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Solar Silicon Production by Molten Salt Electrolysis

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Energy demand and net-zero carbon emission goals by 2050 remain a challenging compromise. The following report supplies an overview of the relative environmental impact of solar silicon production by electrolysis as an alternative to the conventional Siemens process, as well as experimental augmentations necessary for commercialization. A life cycle assessment (LCA) using OpenLCA software was created to evaluate the raw material extraction and distribution parameters of both production processes. The LCA results showed the environmental impact from the solar silicon process was insignificant compared to the Siemens process. An electrical switch was designed to improve product purity and a silicon nitride coating was implemented to prevent oxygenated corrosion on the silicon wafer. The electrical switch was designed for currents from 0-30A, with a configurable duty cycle and frequency, and the silicon nitride (Si3N4) coating showed evidence of lesser shrinking on the silicon wafer.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
Creator
Subject
Publisher
Identifier
  • 65816
  • E-project-042822-155746
Advisor
Year
  • 2022
Sponsor
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Date created
  • 2022-04-28
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