Patent ID: 7252714

Claim:
An apparatus for processing a microelectronic workpiece, comprising: a first vessel configured to carry a processing liquid, the first vessel having an inlet positioned to receive the processing liquid, the first vessel further having an exit positioned to pass the processing liquid exiting the first vessel; a second vessel within which the first vessel is positioned so as to be at least partially immersible in, and in thermal communication with, the processing liquid that is received into a first region, the first region being located within the second vessel and between the first and second vessels, and the second vessel having an inlet positioned to receive the processing liquid; and a heat exchanger positioned in the first region and connected to the second vessel inlet and to the first vessel inlet, the heat exchanger being in thermal communication with the processing liquid received into the first region such that the processing liquid flowing from the second vessel inlet through the heat exchanger to the first vessel inlet will be in thermal communication with the processing liquid within the first region.