(JP9309716-A)      The process of refining silicon by melting under reduced pressure using an electron beam to evaporate volatile impurities is carried out in a graphite vessel. Also claimed is an apparatus to refine silicon by the above process comprising a succession of interconnecting vessels where: (i) each vessel is positioned in a vacuum chamber, (ii) there is the means to supply solid raw silicon to at least one vessel, (iii) at least one vessel has an electron beam gun, and (iv) the apparatus includes a receiver for the molten silicon product.    USE -   is to produce silicon of sufficient purity(99.9999% or better) for use in solar batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Heat loss is significantly reduced by the use of a graphite vessel compared to water-cooled copper vessels used in prior processes. This enables a greater amount of silicon to be melted at lower power inputs, and a more pure product to be obtained at higher inputs.    (JP10182132-A)      The process of refining silicon by melting under reduced pressure using an electron beam to evaporate volatile impurities is carried out in a graphite vessel. Also claimed is an apparatus to refine silicon by the above process comprising a succession of interconnecting vessels where: (i) each vessel is positioned in a vacuum chamber, (ii) there is the means to supply solid raw silicon to at least one vessel, (iii) at least one vessel has an electron beam gun, and (iv) the apparatus includes a receiver for the molten silicon product.    USE -   is to produce silicon of sufficient purity(99.9999% or better) for use in solar batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Heat loss is significantly reduced by the use of a graphite vessel compared to water-cooled copper vessels used in prior processes. This enables a greater amount of silicon to be melted at lower power inputs, and a more pure product to be obtained at higher inputs.    (EP796820-B1)      The process of refining silicon by melting under reduced pressure using an electron beam to evaporate volatile impurities is carried out in a graphite vessel. Also claimed is an apparatus to refine silicon by the above process comprising a succession of interconnecting vessels where: (i) each vessel is positioned in a vacuum chamber, (ii) there is the means to supply solid raw silicon to at least one vessel, (iii) at least one vessel has an electron beam gun, and (iv) the apparatus includes a receiver for the molten silicon product.    USE -   is to produce silicon of sufficient purity(99.9999% or better) for use in solar batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Heat loss is significantly reduced by the use of a graphite vessel compared to water-cooled copper vessels used in prior processes. This enables a greater amount of silicon to be melted at lower power inputs, and a more pure product to be obtained at higher inputs.    (US6231826-B1)      The process of refining silicon by melting under reduced pressure using an electron beam to evaporate volatile impurities is carried out in a graphite vessel. Also claimed is an apparatus to refine silicon by the above process comprising a succession of interconnecting vessels where: (i) each vessel is positioned in a vacuum chamber, (ii) there is the means to supply solid raw silicon to at least one vessel, (iii) at least one vessel has an electron beam gun, and (iv) the apparatus includes a receiver for the molten silicon product.    USE -   is to produce silicon of sufficient purity(99.9999% or better) for use in solar batteries.    ADVANTAGE -   Heat loss is significantly reduced by the use of a graphite vessel compared to water-cooled copper vessels used in prior processes. This enables a greater amount of silicon to be melted at lower power inputs, and a more pure product to be obtained at higher inputs.