Recovery of solar grade silicon from kerf loss slurry waste

During the last two decades and, particularly, in recent years, the photovoltaic sector has increased interest in the recovery of solar grade silicon (SOG). In order to further develop related technologies and to find suitable commercial applications for its recovery, it is essential to understand the current scientific know-how and advances. This review paper copes with recently published scientific articles in which the recovery of solar grade silicon has been studied. In addition, the present work provides an updated picture of the current understanding of the theory behind the employed technologies. The techniques discussed were divided into six categories, which are: (i) alloying process, (ii) hydrobromination, (iii) supercritical water, (iv) electrophoresis and gravitational settling, (v) directional solidification, and (vi) centrifugation.