Crystallization Furnace Modeling Including Coupled Heat and Fluid Flow, Stresses and Deformations

Numerical simulation has emerged as a powerful tool for the development and optimization of technical processes. This is especially true for processes with high demand on quality and high added value to the product. Near-perfect control of the temperature and flow distribution inside the crystallization furnace is essential for high-efficiency solar cells. This work presents computer simulations of a directional crystallization furnace producing 100 kg ingots. Temperatures, fluid flow, stresses and deformations are calculated. Comparisons to measurements show that the thermal condition in the furnace during the complete cycle of heating, melting, crystallization and cooling is well reproduced by the mathematical tool.