Carbothermal reduction process of silica formed from shirasu volcanic ash using solar furnace

Abstract

Metallurgical grade silicon was formed using Shirasu volcanic ash as starting material with solar furnace. The solar furnace was composed of two parts: Fresnel lens and reacting furnace. The reacting furnace was composed of a cylindrical vacuum chamber and quartz glass plate functioning to guide the concentrated sunlight into the furnace, and was placed at the focal point of the Fresnel lens. The sample was made from a mixture of silica formed from Shirasu volcanic ash and carbon, and placed in the carbon crucible inside the reacting furnace. The sample was irradiated for 3 hours, and the furnace was left until it cooled down to room temperature. After the cooling process, the sample was mixed and placed in the carbon crucible, and it was irradiated and cooled with the same processes again. After the experiment, the sample was evaluated by X-ray diffraction and the production of silicon was confirmed.