Good quality of raw materials plays an important role in obtaining a stable production of high quality products. However, current market situation shows a shortage of good quality raw materials which are used for aluminium and silicon solar cell production for example. Thus, development of processes which can tolerate the lower quality and fluctuation of raw materials are crucial. Additionally, it is important to find a balance between the cost of the raw material, production and product price. SINTEF works with industrial partners on the improvement of the production lines so that the new raw materials could be applied and still obtain a good quality product. SINTEF also help to find alternative sources of raw material in order to improve the product quality, increase the production capacity and profitability. SINTEF offers the following services:

• Characterisation and testing of new raw materials
• Consultancy regarding alternative sources of raw materials
• Pilot scale production of new products with new raw materials
• Process optimisation for a better adaptability to raw material quality fluctuation

Photos: Melinda Gaal

• Size reduction and Specification of Granular Petrol Coke with Respect to Chemical and Physical Properties
• Grinding of quartz in the air swept ball mill
• Recycling of the SiC and Si from the spent slurry (PEG) as an alternative source of raw material to a solar wafer production