Apparatus and method for cleaning articles utilizing supercritical and near supercritical fluids
US5401322A · kind A · utility
71Cited by
9References
3Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1992 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S134/902
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and method of removing contaminants from an article utilizing a supercritical or near supercritical fluid. The article to be cleaned is first contacted with a fluid in which the contaminant is soluble at a first supercritical or near temperature. The contaminate solubilized fluid is then cooled or heated to a second supercritical or near supercritical temperature to lower the solubility of the contaminant in the supercritical fluid and thereby precipitate the contaminant. The contaminant is then recovered.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.