Patent ID: 7637114
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: F25B,F25D,H01L

Abstract:
1. A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a processing room configured for treatment of a semiconductor substrate by a process; a cooling unit positioned to cool the processing room, the cooling unit configured to convey cooling fluid; and a temperature-adjusting unit that alters the temperature of the cooling fluid supplied into the cooling unit; wherein the temperature-adjusting unit has a cycling circuit comprising: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; a condenser configured to condense the compressed refrigerant; an expander configured to expand the condensed refrigerant, the expander including a plurality of expansion valves arranged in parallel; an evaporator configured to evaporate the expanded refrigerant, the evaporator positioned to cool the cooling fluid; and a plurality of refrigerant vapor lines arranged in parallel and positioned to connect a line that connects the compressor to the condenser to a line that connects the expander to the evaporator, the plurality of refrigerant vapor lines configured to directly supply some of the compressed refrigerant to the evaporator; a plurality of control valves, wherein at least one control valve is positioned between the condenser and each of the expansion valves and wherein at least one control valve is positioned on each of the refrigerant vapor lines; and an adjuster configured to control the control valves.