Patent ID: 6638491
Filing Date: 2003-10-28
Classification: C01B

Abstract:
A method of reducing the average particle size of a first quantity of silicon metal particulates comprising the steps of:admixing the first quantity of silicon metal particulates with a liquid having the ability to extract one or more oxidants from the silicon metal particulates, said step of admixing maintained for a time sufficient for wetting the first quantity of silicon metal particulates in the liquid prior to attrition to develop an oxidant free mixture of particulates and liquid, introducing said oxidant free mixture of particulates and liquid into an attrition mill, said step of introducing proceeding in the absence of oxidants, subjecting said silicon metal particulates of said mixture to attrition in the attrition mill for a time sufficient to reduce at least a portion of said silicon metal particulates to a preselected average particle size and for said liquid to extract one or more oxidants from said silicon metal particulates to produce a second quantity of reduced particle size silicon metal particulates being essentially oxidant free, and withdrawing from said attrition mill at least a portion of said second quantity of reduced particle size silicon metal particulates, along with a portion of said liquid.