Patent ID: 6089282
Filing Date: 2000-07-18
Classification: B01D,C01B,H01J,Y02W,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for the recovery of process gas from a chamber after a first operation in said chamber involving presence or use of said gas, and recirculation of said gas to said chamber for use in a subsequent operation involving presence or use of said gas, which comprises:a. withdrawing substantially all of said process gas from said chamber through a non-contaminating vacuum pump following completion of said first operation;b. passing said process gas to a storage vessel prior to or following compression of said process gas through a non-contaminating compressor;c. relieving a vacuum created in said chamber by withdrawal of said process gas by insertion of a purge gas into said chamber, such that access may be had to said chamber;d. evacuating said chamber by withdrawal of said purge gas;e. recovering said process gas from said storage vessel and if uncompressed, compressing said process gas; andf. returning said compressed process gas to said evacuated chamber; such that said returned process gas may be reused therein in said subsequent operation.