Directional solidification and casting systems used in silicon production are reviewed first. Common and distinguished features are summarized, and the problems appearing at nucleation and bulk growth stages are discussed. The relationship between growth rate and temperature in the heat exchanger block for an industrial growth system is developed and the predicted results are compared with experimental measurements. A commercial industrial system is simulated to study fluid flow and heat transfer in the growth system, and hot zone design is optimized. Suggestions are made for further improvement of industrial silicon casting systems. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.