Patent ID: 7107820

Claim:
A system for integrated gas delivery and leak detection, comprising: a) at least one application site; b) a process conduit extending from a process gas source site to the application site; c) a first process flow control at the process conduit; d) a second process flow control at the process conduit between the first process flow control and the application site; e) a first pressure sensor located at the process conduit between the first and second process flow controls; f) a microprocessor that is in electronic communication with the first and second process flow controls and the first pressure sensor, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to respond to an application standby request by performing a pressure decay test, including: closing the second process flow control; pressurizing a portion of the system by opening the first process flow control; and when the pressure at the first pressure sensor is at a minimum pressure, closing the first process flow control, and comparing an empirical pressure decay rate at the first pressure sensor with a maximum pressure decay rate, whereby an empirical pressure decay rate that exceeds the maximum pressure decay rate indicates the presence of a leak; whereby the amount of pressure decay is monitored using the equation P=nRT/V in which the pressure variation at the first pressure sensor due to temperature is calculated, wherein P=pressure, V=volume, n=moles gas, R=universal gas constant and T=absolute temperature; g) a purge conduit extending from a purge gas source site to the process conduit between the first and second process flow controls; and h) a first purge flow control located at the purge conduit; wherein: the purge flow control is in electronic communication with the microprocessor; the first pressure sensor is located at the purge conduit between the first purge flow control and the process conduit, or at the process conduit between the first and second process flow controls; and the pressure decay test includes: pressurizing a portion of the system by opening the first process flow control and closing the first purge flow control; or opening the first purge flow control and closing the first process flow control; and when the pressure at the first pressure sensor is at a minimum pressure, closing the first process and the first purge flow controls; thereby providing integrated gas delivery and leak detection.