Patent ID: 8168123

Claim:
A fluidized bed reactor for the production of high purity silicon, the fluidized bed reactor comprising: a chamber having dimensions to contain silicon particles capable of being fluidized therein, the chamber having a wall constructed of a metal alloy; a gas inlet in the chamber configured to receive a gas to fluidize the particles inside the chamber, wherein the gas inlet is coupled to a source of silicon-bearing gas; a silicon particle inlet configured for the addition of silicon particles into the chamber; an outlet in the chamber configured to allow the recovery of the high-purity silicon; an outlet configured to allow an effluent gas stream to leave the chamber; and a ceramic protective layer deposited on at least a portion of an inside surface of the chamber wherein the ceramic protective layer comprises zirconium dioxide-yttrium stabilized; and wherein the ceramic protective layer is configured to be resistant to corrosion by the fluidizing gas.