Silicon Extrusion Plant, Method for Silicon Extrusion and Silicon Extrudate Produced Herewith

A silicon extrusion plant comprising

• a silicon extruder;
• a silicon feed device configured to load the silicon extruder;
• at least one feed drive device configured to drive the silicon feed device;
• at least one feed pressure sensor configured to measure an actual feed pressure of silicon material to be extruded, the feed pressure sensor being arranged in a transition region between the silicon feed device and the silicon extruder;
• and
• a control unit, which is in signal communication with the feed pressure sensor and the feed drive device, which is configured to define a nominal feed pressure, and which is configured to transmit an actuating signal to the feed drive device depending on a difference detected between the nominal feed pressure and the actual feed pressure.

A method for silicon extrusion, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a silicon extrusion plant including,
• a silicon extruder,
• a silicon feed device configured to load the silicon extruder,
• the silicon feed device having
• a feed hopper which opens into a feed opening disposed at the bottom thereof, said feed opening being in a fluidic connection, via a feed duct, with an inlet zone of the silicon extruder,
• a feed screw being arranged in the feed hopper in such a way as to be drivable for rotation, the feed screw protruding into the feed opening at least partly,
• wherein parts of the feed screw have a conical envelope, and
• wherein parts of the feed screw have a cylindrical envelope;
• loading silicon material to be extruded into the silicon feed device;
• conveying the silicon material through the silicon feed device and the silicon extruder;
• and
• discharging the extrudate from the silicon extruder.