High Temperature Solar Furnace: Current Applications and Future Potential

Abstract

The high temperature solar furnace can offer great opportunities for the production of many types of products worldwide, but recent advances in this technology have been limited to metal reduction. The production of semiconductors, which are utilized to a great extent in the electronic industry, is a viable option for this technology that has been overlooked. Especially where sand and sunlight are plentiful (countries that surround the equator), silicon chips produced with a solar furnace can have great economical value. This paper describes current and potential solar furnace technologies. The components of the solar furnace are described, as well as metal reduction processes including zinc and aluminum production. The viability of silicon chip production is also examined. The possibilities for other product development using an extremely (up to 10,000°C) high temperature solar furnace are also discussed. Economically, the benefits of solar furnaces are great, with only high initial start-up costs and little operation costs. Metal reduction processes can also be enhanced with high temperature solar furnaces in that plugging problems are eliminated. By replacing conventional furnaces, such as blast and electric arc furnaces, with a high temperature solar furnace, CO2 emissions and energy consumption can be greatly reduced, which will bring in added dividends to the society.