scalarparty ([info]scalarparty) wrote,
@ 2005-12-28 20:05:00
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Entry tags:sog-si

New Kids on the SoG-Si Block
ok now this one is just a hunch... and I will be following it up over the next few weeks-- though I warn you, it won't be easy....
theKhazs
So for about two months now, I've been looking for clues as to what happened to that chlorine-free way to manufacture Solar Grade Silicon. I know that it was developed with the NREL and Sandia but for some reason the tech fell into the hands of Intersolar, a Russian solar research company (and let me tell you-- bugging them and sending multiple emails will do nothing!) It seems like such a great technological fix-- using 1/3 of the electricity and considerably less toxic (oh and cheaper, too). Now a reminder, this is just a hunch. But those guys up there....

See, I just got an email PR release from Kazinform, the leading Kazakh business information portal. It says that Satpayev Kazakh Scientific and Technical University led by Rector Dosym Suleyev, Metallurgy and Enrichment Institute, Physics and Technology Institute, and a number of other research institutions and higher educational establishments of the Education and Science Ministry of Kazakhstan participated in drafting a plan that the governemnt accepted. And the plan is to begin full cycle manufacturing of Solar Grade Silicon.

Apparently, Kazakhstan possesses the richest high grade raw materials stocks, 65M tons of fine quality crystalline silica and 267M tons of silica stone suited for silicon production. And they are psyched to get into the game...

Then the report goes on to say that: The scientists of our institute have worked out semiconducting silicon extraction technology regarded as the most promising in this field. There is no alternative to it not only in Russia but also in the former-USSR. And thats when I said HEY!!! Hold the phone! And sure, like i said this is just a hunch, but I have been trying to get info from Intersolar.ru (to no avail) and now seeing this, I just couldn't help but wonder: Is it possible that the Kazakhs got ahold of this technology? What other process is out there that can boast "no alternatives" and "most promising?" And maybe its my overactive imagination, but really I will be sticking to this story like glue, because tbh, I could care less where it coimes from, all I want is some chlorine-free solar grade silicon! So bring it on Kazh, bring it on!


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Good sleuthing
[info]trippedbreaker
2005-12-29 05:33 am UTC (link)
Heh, maybe if you find your chlorine-free solar silicon, perhaps I could get you to snoop out what the deal is with Vanadium Redox batteries (VRB), and why the heck no one's doing anything with *that* technology, in transportation at least. It's been a while since I researched the issue, but the technology has changed hands so many times (UNSW/Pinnacle/Vanteck/VRBPower...)

Anyway, good luck, happy gumshoeing... It would certainly be nicer if photovoltaics didn't have the high environmental startup cost. It sucks when the answer is out there, but isn't being implemented because people can't agree about money.

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[info]scalarparty
2005-12-29 01:48 pm UTC (link)
well if you know Vanteck Technology Corpantek and VRBpower, you seem to know the deal... from what i can tell they are all subsidiaries of that Australian company, Federation Resources... and i don't knwo, it looks like they do focus more on grid systems and larger scale stuff-- though they (VRB) do have the VRB-ESS series, which can fit in a vehicle, right? do you have a # for them and/or see them in BC? if not it's (604)697-8820 and (604)697-8835

oh and hey, Breaker, this is probably something you already do, but if not the Advanecd Automotive Battery people have a great mailaing list
((for anyone out there who is thinking "what the??" heres a VRB primer)) personally i woudl bet that anything ready for market will show up ar an AAB Conference (next one in May in Baltimore)

as a funny aside, i used to hold out to try and get some action from these aluminum oxide batteries for these electric (SWAP) scooters I had, and after years i gave up... not it seems that company has just turned into a fuel cell co.

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[info]scalarparty
2005-12-29 02:02 pm UTC (link)
ok on the aluminium oxides, it does seem that some european company won some big awards recently (well, 9 months ago?)fro a non fuel cell aluminum oxide battery!

and the beat goes on....

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[info]trippedbreaker
2005-12-29 05:11 pm UTC (link)
Dude, you rule! You are definitely a lot more "hooked up" than I am at the moment; I feel like a newbie all over again :o)

I checked out the VRB-ESS specs -- now I see why I should forget about VRB (and as a result I feel kinda silly now). 3.5 tons, to produce 5kw (about 6.7 horsepower). The equivalent weight in batteries (they say) is 2600lbs; I *know* you can get at least 400HP out of that weight in decent AGMs. And at least around 100HP if they're flooded, probably a little more. 2600lbs is a lot of battery; 7000lbs is inconceivable even if it did provide adequate power.

The mailing list on the AAB website seems to be about their upcoming conferences... am I mistaken? Does it have general discussion as well?

BTW -- I think the term "fuel cell" seems to be stretched by some folks, to try to seem hip and trendy. I've seen zinc-air, various redox types and nimh batteries being referred to as fuel cells. Eh, whatever makes 'em feel important, I guess.

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[info]scalarparty
2005-12-30 08:16 pm UTC (link)
yeah their mailing list isn't the best-- but overthe years they have been helpful.

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[info]scalarparty
2005-12-29 01:50 pm UTC (link)
oh and if you do want to spread the word about environemntally benign waysto manufacture the SoG-Si: here's a thorough pdf

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