Pilot scale studies and production implementation of the two- component system for continuous purification of silicon tetrachloride.

The two component system for continuous purification of silicon tetrachloride is comprised of a bubble column photochlorination reactor and a stripping column arranged in series. The system has been tested at the pilot scale, and subsequently implemented at AT&T Technologies Atlanta Lightguide Works. The new process replaces batch processing and currently provides 100% of the ultrapure SiCl sub 4 used by Atlanta for manufacture of optical fiber preforms, at a usage rate of ~3800 liters per month.