Nucleation and Condensational Growth of Aerosols: Application to Silicon Production

Citation

Alam, Md. Khairul (1984) Nucleation and Condensational Growth of Aerosols: Application to Silicon Production. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/t1x1-p304. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-11092005-142825

Abstract

A theoretical analysis of aerosol nucleation and condensational growth is developed. A growing aerosol depletes the surrounding vapor, leading to the development of a spherically symmetric radial distribution of monomer partial pressure. A symmetric radial temperature profile is simultaneously developed due to release of latent heat of condensation. These local perturbations are analyzed to determine the total effect on the nucleation rate. The analysis forms the basis for building an experimental reactor for production of large particles of silicon for semiconductors and photovoltaic cells. The large size of the silicon particles facilitates separation and processing of the product.

Thesis Files