Heater Modification on Directional Solidification System: a Numerical Simulation

Numerical simulation is an important tool for analyzing and optimizing the multi-crystalline silicon ingot growth process for Photovoltaic (PV) applications. We have investigated thermal stress by using finite volume method. Temperature gradient plays an important role in thermal stress thereby causing dislocation formation in DS process. In this work von Mises stress, maximum shear stress and dislocation density were simulated for modified geometry of heater. It is observed that von Mises stress was reduced by modifying the heater design.