Patent ID: 6719613
Filing Date: 2004-04-13
Classification: B08B,B24C,G02F,H01L

Abstract:
A process for cleaning an article utilizing a multi-stage filtered carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium, comprising the steps of:providing a source of the carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium, wherein the carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium contains contaminants including hydrocarbons; providing a first mode filtration stage, wherein the first mode filtration stage provides condensation-based filtration to remove hydrocarbons from the carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium; providing a second mode filtration stage, wherein the second mode filtration stage provides catalyst-based oxidation/reduction of hydrocarbons, wherein hydrocarbons are removed from the carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium; providing a third mode filtration stage, wherein the third mode filtration stage provides carbon filter-based removal of hydrocarbons from the carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium; providing the carbon dioxide-containing cleaning medium to one or more surfaces of the article, wherein contaminants are removed from the article.