Patent ID: 8231851

Claim:
A method of processing a perfluoride compound, comprising the steps of: removing SiF 4 from an exhaust gas containing a perfluoride compound and the SiF 4 by contacting the exhaust gas with water, heating the exhaust gas containing the perfluoride compound, and at least one of water and steam added after removal of the SiF 4 , after removing the SiF 4 , supplying said heated exhaust gas and at least one of water and steam to a catalyst layer filled with a catalyst which is able to decompose the perfluoride compound contained in the exhaust gas upon contact with the catalyst, cooling to 100° C. or lower, by water, the exhaust gas containing decomposed gas generated by the decomposition of the perfluoride compound, which is exhausted from said catalyst layer, in a cooling apparatus arranged at a portion below said catalyst layer, and releasing the cooled exhaust gas, wherein the cooling step is performed under a condition that the exhaust gas is kept at a negative pressure.