Method and apparatus for producing solar grade silicon using a SOM electrolysis process

A method of manufacturing silicon via a solid oxide membrane electrolysis process, comprising:

• providing a first crucible defining a cavity;
• providing a flux within said cavity of said first crucible, said flux comprising silicon oxide in solution;
• providing a cathode disposed in said cavity of said first crucible in electrical contact with said flux, said cathode comprising a silicon-absorbing portion within a second crucible disposed inside said first crucible containing said flux, said silicon-absorbing portion being in fluid communication with said flux, said silicon-absorbing portion comprising a metal;
• providing an anode disposed in said cavity of said first crucible and spaced apart from said cathode and being in electrical contact with said flux, said anode comprising a solid oxide membrane around at least a portion of said anode;
• heating said flux and said silicon-absorbing portion to an operating temperature of said solid oxide membrane electrolysis process;
• generating an electrical potential between said cathode and said anode sufficient to dissociate the silicon oxide and reduce silicon at said operating temperature of said solid oxide membrane electrolysis process, said operating temperature being sufficient to form a liquid solution of said silicon and said metal;
• and
• cooling said silicon-absorbing portion to a precipitation temperature that is below said operating temperature and at which said silicon separates out of said silicon-absorbing portion and precipitates in solid form into said second crucible while the metal of the silicon-absorbing portion remains a liquid,
• wherein said silicon-absorbing portion preferentially absorbs silicon relative to a remainder of said flux at said operating temperature, and said silicon-absorbing portion is a liquid at said operating temperature, and
• wherein said solid oxide membrane is permeable to oxygen.