Patent ID: 6140130
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A system to detect and remove copper from wastewater streams in the manufacture of semiconductors comprising:a) a fluorometer;b) a suitable fluorometric reagent that when added to the wastewater reacts with any copper present in the form of Cu.sup.+2 ion to form a reagent-Cu.sup.+2 complex;c) a polymer, which when added to the wastewater stream causes the precipitation of any copper present in the form of Cu.sup.+2 ion;d) a polymer distribution and reaction component comprisingi) a means to add polymer to the wastewater,ii) a controller to regulate the flow of polymer into the wastewater, andiii) at least two tanks;e) at least one sensor to detect unreacted polymer;f) a means to separate the precipitate from the wastewater stream;g) a fluorometric controller which uses the signal from said fluorometer to control a valve that determines whether the wastewater stream is discharged or recycled for further treatment;h) optionally, a reagent to adjust pH of wastewater prior to it being contacted with polymer; andi) optionally, at least one tank to hold the wastewater while its pH is being adjusted; andj) optionally, at least one tank to hold the wastewater while it is being equalized, prior to its pH being adjusted.