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Abstract

Method and equipment for production of high purity silicon (Si) metal from reduction of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl.sub.4) by liquid zinc metal. The Zn reduction of SiCl.sub.4 and the production of Zn by electrolysis of ZnCl.sub.2 take place in a common, combined reactor and electrolysis cell using a molten salt as electrolyte. The reactor and electrolysis cell may preferably be provided in a common housing which is divided into two or more communicating compartments (13, 1, 2) by a first or more partition walls (15, 8, 7). Further, the electrolysis of ZnCl.sub.2, performed by means of suitable electrodes, is taking place in at least one compartment (1, 2) and the Zn reduction of SiCl.sub.4 takes place in at least one other compartment (13), where Zn metal flows between the chamber/s (1,2) of the ZnCl.sub.2 electrolysis to the chamber/s (13) of SiCl.sub.4 reduction, and where the electrolyte circulates between the chamber/s of ZnCl.sub.2 electrolysis to the chamber/s of SiCl.sub.4 reduction. The atmosphere in the chamber/s where electrolysis takes place is preferably separated from the atmosphere in the other chamber/s by the first partition wall (15).

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