Numerical Analysis of Melt Flow and Interface Deflection during the Growth of Directional Solidified Multi-Crystalline Silicon Ingots of Three Different Dimension

Abstract

In this article, we have investigated the impact of furnace geometry on the melt flow while growing ingot of three different sizes. The heat flux within the three different hot zones is observed and the variation in heat dissipation during the growth is discussed. The evolution of melt/crystal interface has been analysed at 25%, 50% and 75% of solidification fraction for 7, 40 and 330 kg ingots. The influence of radial temperature gradient on the variation of melt flow velocity above the melt/crystal interface and free surface of melt has been analysed during the growth of all the three ingots. It is found that the smaller size ingots such as 7 kg and 40 kg show higher radial temperature gradient compared to 330 kg ingot particularly in the peripheral region. Simulation result shows that the furnace geometry significantly influences the thermal field, velocity of convective melt flow and shape of the melt/crystal interface during the growth process.