Hazard characterization and management of arsine and gallium arsenide in large-scale production of gallium arsenide thin film photovoltaic cells

Abstract

This report characterizes occupational and public health and safety hazards from arsine gas and gallium arsenide solid wastes in the large-scale manufacture of gallium arsenide thin film photovoltaic cells. These assessments are based on detailed process-level data developed for metallorganic chemical vapor deposition and halide chemical vapor deposition processes used in junction formation. The large quantity of arsine required as a feed-stock for a hypothetical 10 MW p per year production facility and its extreme toxicity may pose a major health and safety hazard to workers. Safety measures that could reduce this potential include proper gas storage, gas handling and monitoring, and adequate ventilation. Public health may be threatened by the possible release of arsine to the atmosphere; this hazard can be reduced by use of a potassium permanganate scrubber. Potential hazards to workers during gallium arsenide residuals clean-up can be reduced by use of personal protective equipment. The collected residual should be placed in hazardous waste landfills. Estimated annualized costs for these control options appear to be relatively small.