{"id":1275,"date":"2026-07-01T14:37:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silicesantacruz.com\/?p=1275"},"modified":"2026-07-26T20:44:30","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T20:44:30","slug":"comment-extraire-le-silicium-du-sable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silicesantacruz.com\/en\/comment-extraire-le-silicium-du-sable\/","title":{"rendered":"Extracting silicon from sand: from raw quartz to pure silicon"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The sand contains silicon dioxide<\/a>, but not pure silicon. To extract silicon from sand, the industry uses a precise, multi-stage process. First, the quartz is purified by washing and size sorting. Next, an electric arc furnace reduces SiO\u2082 with carbon at temperatures exceeding 2,000 \u00b0C. The molten silicon is then poured into moulds to produce a material suitable for use in solar energy and electronics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Extraire<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why does sand contain silicon?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The silica sand contains silicon<\/a> as it is composed of silicon dioxide, or SiO\u2082. This compound consists of one silicon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. Quartz, the dominant mineral in the sand deposits<\/strong>, is precisely this crystalline form of SiO\u2082.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The origin is geological. Over millions of years, the erosion of granite rocks releases sand particles rich in quartz. These particles naturally accumulate in sedimentary deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Silicon accounts for 27.7 % of the Earth\u2019s crust<\/strong>. It is the second most abundant element after oxygen. However, it is never found in its pure form in nature. The quality of sand depends on its SiO\u2082 content and the presence of impurities such as iron oxides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How is silica extracted from sand?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Washing and desilting of silica sand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Washing is the first stage of purification of the siliceous sand<\/a><\/strong>. Washing equipment, such as a drum washer, dissolves the clay particles stuck to the grains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Desludging then removes silt and fine suspended impurities. This process ensures a uniform particle size distribution for the subsequent stages of the treatment plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An attrition scrubber enhances this cleaning process for stubborn particles. Consequently, the SiO\u2082 content rises significantly after this stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrocyclones ensure the gravity separation<\/strong> particles according to their density. Sand intended for the glass industry must contain less than 0.02 % of Fe\u2082O\u2083 \u2014 this is where the purity requirements begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recycling wash water reduces the process\u2019s overall water consumption. Silices Santa Cruz incorporates these best practices into its products right from the process design stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magnetic separation of iron oxides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The wet plate magnetic separator<\/strong> It targets residual Fe\u2082O\u2083 directly. It attracts ferromagnetic particles using a strong magnetic field. Quartz, which is non-magnetic, passes through without being retained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two technologies are central to this process:<\/p>\n\n\n\n