Transport Container for Silicon Fragments

Abstract

A transport container. The transport container is used for the packaging and transportation of silicon fragments. Where the transport container includes 8 to 14 flat film bags or 8 to 12 flat double film bags that contain an amount of the silicon fragments therein.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A transport container, comprises: wherein the transport container comprises 8 to 14 flat film bags or 8 to 12 flat double film bags and wherein each are filled with silicon fragments; wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 0.88 to 1.62 kg/dm.sup.3 and wherein the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.68 to 1.15 kg/dm.sup.3; wherein the transport container containing the flat film bags has a packing density of 0.81 to 1.23 kg/dm.sup.3 and the transport container containing the flat double film bags has a packing density of 0.65 to 1.06 kg/dm.sup.3; wherein the packing density of the flat film bag or flat double film bag is greater than or equal to the packing density of the transport container; wherein the silicon fragments belong at least to one of the fragment size classes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and wherein the transport container has a length L which corresponds to the sum of a length l and a width b of a flat bag, and has a width B which corresponds to the two-fold width 2b, wherein 2b must correspond at least to l, and wherein at least 2 and not more than 4 of the flat bags form a layer N in the transport container; wherein for a layer of 2 flat bags 2N, the bags are arranged next to one another longitudinally or transversely; wherein for a layer of 3 flat bags 3N, the bags are arranged next to one another, with 2 of the bags arranged longitudinally and one transversely; and wherein for a layer of 4 flat bags 4N, each 2 bags are arranged longitudinally next to one another, with the 2 bags each arranged in longitudinal direction preferably overlapping.

20. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 0.99 to 1.49 kg/dm.sup.3 and the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.77 to 1.05 kg/dm.sup.3.

21. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the transport container containing flat film bags has a packing density of 0.89 to 1.14 kg/dm.sup.3 and the transport container containing flat double film bags has a packing density of 0.73 to 0.97 kg/dm.sup.3.

22. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the silicon fragments are of fragment size class 0; wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 0.9 to 1.34 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 1.01 to 1.23 kg/dm.sup.3; and wherein the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.68 to 1.02 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 0.77 to 0.94 kg/dm.sup.3.

23. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the silicon fragments are of fragment size class 1; wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 0.88 to 1.32 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 0.99 to 1.21 kg/dm.sup.3; and wherein the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.68 to 1.03 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 0.77 to 0.94 kg/dm.sup.3.

24. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the silicon fragments are of fragment size class 2; wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 1.07 to 1.61 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 1.20 to 1.47 kg/dm.sup.3; and wherein the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.76 to 1.15 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 0.86 to 1.05 kg/dm.sup.3.

25. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the silicon fragments are of fragment size class 3; wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 0.96 to 1.44 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 1.08 to 1.32 kg/dm.sup.3; and wherein the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.75 to 1.13 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 0.85 to 1.03 kg/dm.sup.3.

26. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the silicon fragments are of fragment size class 4; wherein the flat film bags each have a packing density of 1.05 to 1.58 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 1.18 to 1.45 kg/dm.sup.3; and wherein the flat double film bags each have a packing density of 0.73 to 1.09 kg/dm.sup.3, preferably of 0.82 to 1 kg/dm.sup.3.

27. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the flat film bags or flat double film bags have a contents weight of 10 kg.

28. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the transport container comprises 10 to 14, preferably 11 to 13, flat film bags.

29. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the transport container comprises 9 to 11, preferably 9, flat double film bags.

30. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the first-mentioned layer corresponds to the bottom-most layer; and wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 8 flat bags the transport container has a layer sequence 3N, 3N, 2N, or wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 9 flat bags the transport container has a layer sequence 3N, 3N, 3N, or wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 10 flat bags the transport container has a layer sequence 4N, 3N, 3N, or wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 11 film bags the transport container has a layer sequence 4N, 4N, 3N, or wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 12 flat bags the transport container has a layer sequence 4N, 4N, 4N or 3N, 3N, 3N, 3N, or wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 13 flat bags the transport container has a layer sequence 4N, 3N, 3N, 3N, or wherein when the transport container is used for loading with 14 flat bags the transport container has a layer sequence 4N, 4N, 3N, 3N.

31. The transport container of claim 19, wherein the transport containers are arranged on a pallet.

32. The transport container of claim 31, wherein one or more pallets having the transport containers arranged thereon are contained within a freight container.

Description

[0092] FIG. 1 shows, from above, a layer of two flat bags 1 in a transport container 2. The transport container 2 has a length L, which corresponds approximately to the sum of the length l and the width b of the flat bag 1. The width B corresponds approximately to twice the width b of the flat bag 1. Generally speaking, the lengthwise dimensions B and L of the transport container 2 may be chosen to be around 0 to 10% greater than necessary for the lengthwise dimensions b and/of the flat bags 1. The flat bags 1 may be arranged with their longitudinal side parallel to the longitudinal side or parallel to the latitudinal side of the transport container 2.

[0093] FIG. 2 shows a layer of three flat bags 1 in a transport container 2. The flat bags 2 are arranged next to one another and do not overlap. With regard to the dimensions of the flat bags 1 and of the transport container, reference may be made to the statements for FIG. 1.

[0094] FIG. 3 shows a layer of four flat bags 1 in a transport container 2. In this embodiment, pairs of flat bags 1 overlap with one another. In this case, preferably, the silicon fragments are not uniformly distributed. Instead, the fragments are located primarily in the non-overlapping part of the flat bags 1.

[0095] FIG. 4 shows a transport container 2 in which there are nine 10 kg flat bags 1. The flat bags 1 are arranged in three layers one above another. The layers are rotated by 180° from one another, so that only the topmost and bottom-most layers are congruent. The dimensions of the flat bags 1 are 1=46.5 cm, b=27.5 cm and h=9.8 cm. The height of the transport container 2 corresponds approximately to three times the height of the flat bags 1 and is H=32.4 cm. The length of the transport container is 76 cm, corresponding to the width of a CP5. The width of the transport container is 57 cm and corresponds to half the length of a CP5.

[0096] In principle, the various layer patterns according to FIGS. 1 to 3 may be combined arbitrarily with one another.

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a transport container 4 in which six 5 kg upright bags 3 with a square standing surface are arranged in one layer. The side length l and b of the upright bag 3 is 18.2 cm, the height h is 22.3 cm. The dimensions of the transport container 4 are H=24.3 cm, L=57 cm and B=38 cm.

[0098] FIG. 6 shows a transport container 4 in which nine 5 kg upright bags 3 with a square standing surface are arranged in one layer.

[0099] FIG. 7 shows a transport container 4 in which twelve 5 kg upright bags 3 with a square standing surface are arranged in two layers disposed congruently one over the other. The side length l and b of the upright bag 3 is 18.2 cm, the height h is 15.2 cm. The dimensions of the transport container 4 are H=32.4 cm, L=57 cm and B=38 cm.

[0100] FIG. 8 shows a transport container 4 in which 18 5 kg upright bags 3 with a square standing surface are arranged in two layers disposed congruently one over the other. The side length l and b of the upright bag 3 is 18.5 cm, the height h is 15.2 cm. The dimensions of the transport container 4 are H=32.4 cm, L=57 cm and B=57 cm.

[0101] FIGS. 9 to 14 are elucidated with reference to the examples.

EXAMPLES

[0102] 1. Pallet (CP5) with Load Weight of 540 kg (FIG. 9)

[0103] A transport container contains nine double film bags (flat bags), each filled with 10 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS3 and having a packing density of 0.94 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags are arranged in 3 layers as shown in FIG. 4. The dimensions of the bags and transport containers can be taken from the description for FIG. 4. The packing density of the transport container is 0.75 kg/dm.sup.3. Six transport containers can be arranged in this way on a CP5. Thirty of these loaded CP5 fit into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 16.2 t. With the existing transport containers, it has only been possible to realize a load weight of 14.4 t (cf. WO 2015/007490 A1).

[0104] 2. Pallet (CP5) with a 600 kg Load Weight

[0105] A transport container contains ten flat double film bags, each filled with 10 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS2 and having a packing density of 0.96 kg/dm.sup.3. Regarding the dimensions reference may be made to the 1.sup.st example. The packing density of the transport container is 0.84 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags are arranged in three layers, with the bottom layer consisting of four bags (cf. FIG. 3). The CP5 may be loaded as shown in FIG. 9, with again thirty pallets fitting into a 20-foot ISO container. This corresponds to a net load weight of 18 t. With the existing transport containers, it has only been possible to realize a load weight of 14.4 t (cf. WO 2015/007490 A1).

[0106] 3. Pallet (CP5) with a 720 kg Load Weight

[0107] A transport container contains twelve flat film bags, each filled with 10 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS2 and having a packing density of 1.34 kg/dm.sup.3. Regarding the dimensions reference may be made to the 1.sup.st example. The bags are arranged in four layers each of three bags, with successive layers being rotated relative to one another as shown in FIG. 4. The packing density of the transport container is 1.00 kg/dm.sup.3. The CP5 may be loaded as shown in FIG. 9, with again thirty pallets fitting into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 21.6 t. In the case of a 20-foot standard ISO container with a maximum load weight of 21.67 t, 28 pallets are enough to utilize this load weight, including the packaging. This corresponds to a net load weight of 21.6 t. When using HT containers (hard-top containers with increased load weight), the container can be loaded with thirty pallets (net load weight: 21.6 t).

[0108] 4. Pallet (CP5) with a 480 kg Load Weight

[0109] A transport container contains eight flat double film bags, each filled with 10 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS4 and having a packing density of 0.91 kg/dm.sup.3. With regard to the dimensions, reference may be made to example 1. The packing density of the transport container is 0.67 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags are arranged in three layers. The bottom two layers consist of three double bags (cf. FIG. 2) and the top layer of two bags (cf. FIG. 1). The CP5 is loaded as in FIG. 9, with again thirty pallets fitting into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 14.4 t.

[0110] These examples show clearly that by virtue of the new mode of packaging, it is possible to achieve significant increases in the load weight of a pallet and hence also of the ISO container. As a result, the transport and logistics steps per kg of silicon over the entire life cycle of the product (from production through to processing, including disposal of the packaging materials) are reduced. Pack sizes are flexibly adjustable, through the use of different loadings of the transport container.

[0111] 5. Pallet (CP3) with a 720 kg Load Weight (FIG. 10)

[0112] A transport container contains six upright film bags, each filled with 5 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS4 and having a packing density of 0.80 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags, with a square standing surface, are arranged in one layer. For the dimensions, reference may be made to FIG. 5. The transport containers each have a packing density of 0.65 kg/dm.sup.3. Twenty-four transport containers can be arranged in this way on a CP3 (combination stacking). Twenty of these CP3 fit into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 14.4 t.

[0113] 6. Pallet (CP3) with a 720 kg Load Weight (FIG. 11)

[0114] A transport container contains nine upright film bags, each containing 5 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS3 and having a packing density of 0.85 kg/dm.sup.3. The side length l and b of the upright bags is 18.7 cm, the height h is 22.3 cm. The dimensions of the transport container are H=24.3 cm, L=57 cm and B=57 cm. The bags are arranged in one layer. The packing density of the transport containers is 0.64 kg/dm.sup.3. The CP3 is loaded with 16 transport containers. In this way, twenty pallets fit into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 14.4 t.

[0115] 7. Pallet (CP3) with a 1080 kg Load Weight (FIG. 12)

[0116] A transport container contains twelve upright film bags, each filled with 5 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS2 and having a packing density of 0.96 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags are arranged in two layers of 6 bags each. Regarding the dimensions, reference may be made to FIG. 7. The packing density of the transport containers is 0.95 kg/dm.sup.3. The CP3 is loaded with 18 transport containers as shown in FIG. 12. Twenty pallets fit into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 21.6 t. In the case of a 20-foot standard ISO container with a maximum load weight at 21.67 t, 18 pallets are sufficient to utilize this load weight, including the packaging. This corresponds to a net load weight of 19.44 t. When using HT containers, the container can be loaded with twenty pallets (net load weight: 21.6 t).

[0117] 8. Pallet (CP3) with a 1080 kg Load Weight (FIG. 13)

[0118] A transport container contains 18 upright film bags, each filled with 5 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS3 and having a packing density of 0.95 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags are arranged in two layers of 9 bags each (see FIG. 8). Regarding the dimensions, reference may be made to FIG. 8. The packing density of the transport containers is 0.94 kg/dm.sup.3. The CP3 is loaded with twelve transport containers as shown in FIG. 13. Twenty pallets fit into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 21.6 t. In the case of a 20-foot standard ISO container with a maximum load weight at 21.67 t, 18 pallets are sufficient to utilize this load weight, including the packaging. This corresponds to a net load weight of 19.44 t. When using HT containers, the container can be loaded with twenty pallets (net load weight: 21.6 t).

[0119] 9. Pallet (CP3) with a 900 kg Load Weight (FIG. 14)

[0120] A transport container contains nine upright film bags, each containing 5 kg of polysilicon fragment of CS2 and each having a packing density of 0.90 kg/dm.sup.3. The bags are arranged in one layer. The side length l and b of the upright bags is 18.7 cm, the height his 17.4 cm. The dimensions of the transport container are H=19.4 cm, L=57 cm and B=57 cm. The packing density of each transport container is 0.82 kg/dm.sup.3. The CP3 is loaded with twenty transport containers. In this way, twenty pallets fit into a 20-foot ISO container, corresponding to a net load weight of 18.0 t.

[0121] Determination of the Fines Fraction

[0122] The determination was made by way of simulated transportation with typical exposures by transport vibrations on a truck bed over a distance of 800 km. Transport impacts, especially horizontal impacts on changeover of the pallets and/or transport containers, may correspond to two to three times the acceleration due to gravity (g). The simulation was carried out using a shaker plate.

[0123] Polysilicon of CS2 was transported in 10 kg flat double film bags in transport containers below. The fines fraction was ascertained subsequently by screening with a 2.0 mm mesh screen.

[0124] Comparative Transport Container 1 (Comp. TC1):

[0125] Eight 10 kg flat double film bags, arranged horizontally in four layers each of two bags in the transport packaging (cf. WO 2015/007490 A1). Six of these transport packages are located on one CP5 (480 kg). Transport package dimensions: 740×550×280 mm (L×B×H). Double film bag dimensions: 620×410 mm.

[0126] Transport container 2 (TC2) on pallet (CP5, 540 kg) in accordance with example 1 and FIG. 9).

[0127] Transport container 3 (TC3) on pallet (CP5, 540 kg) in accordance with example 4).

[0128] Table 1 shows the packing density of the flat double film bags, the fines fraction and the puncturing for 5 each (tests 1 to 5) transport containers studied. For each test, 960 kg of polysilicon (CS2) were evaluated for comp. TC1 and 1080 kg for TC2 and TC3. The puncturing (puncture rate) refers to punctures of the outer bag. The fines fraction for TC2 and TC3 is significantly lower than for cont. TC1. The punctures lie at a very low level and are not significantly different.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Packing density Fines fractions Test [kg/dm.sup.3] [ppm] Puncturing comp. 1 0.702 3900 0% TC1 2 0.702 3300 1% 3 0.702 4900 1% 4 0.702 3200 0% 5 0.702 3600 0% Average 0.702 3780 0.4%.sup.  TC2 1 0.737 3200 1% 2 0.737 4500 2% 3 0.737 2700 2% 4 0.737 3200 0% 5 0.737 3000 1% Average 0.737 3320 1.2%.sup.  TC3 1 0.702 4000 1% 2 0.702 3500 2% 3 0.702 2900 1% 4 0.702 3800 0% 5 0.702 3500 0% Average 0.702 3540 0.8%.sup.